I am not a "natural" at meditation and it's never come easy for me, well not until Hawaii.  I can't guarantee it will work for everyone but the combination of the incredible sense of peace that seems to literally be in the air, along with the scent and the comforting warmth of the Hawaiian night, worked with the lulling soundtrack of the waves on the rocks as a natural Valium.  Sitting out on my patio each evening, incense burning and my little Buddha friend (from a trip to Santa Cruz, he travels everywhere with me now), I found relaxation, contemplation and meditation almost as easy and natural as breathing.  The hard part was going inside to bed.  It helped that I could hear the waves, even through the closed door.    Looking forward to the wellness trip in October and a chance to see if the magic continues. 

WHY THE BIG ISLAND

The idea that’s been kicking around almost as long as Spacop to build a wellness get away that we’d want to go to seemed to find it’s natural home when Karma went to Kona.  Some places are just naturally more conducive to relaxation and harmony
than others and we doubt there’s anyplace that is more "more" than the Kona Coast of the Big Island. The magic is evident from the moment you step off the plane. It's a scent of the tropics, air that seems to have a physical presence and the roar of the waves that's ever present and more soothing than you ever imagined anything so powerful could be.

The landscape is softer there, with none of the crispness that can make beauty harsh. Everything seems to flow in a natural way and all the stars in the heavens greet you at night. The food is natural and delicious, the people warm and gracious.  From the stunning yet alien landscape of lava rock, wild beaches and tropical lushness of the mountain slopes always close by, you'll never be bored and often moved to tears.

WHAT SERENITY MEANS TO US

We’re no strangers to the quest for serenity, that feeling of calm, wellness and, for want of a fancier term, happiness. From our very first spa getaway, two very non "wellness" types discovered just how much the right kind of experience can do for mood, stress levels and the ability to whistle while you work. We were lucky we picked the right place to start our journey and that life changing experience lead eventually to the Big Island and the people and places we hope you will get a chance to experience.
 
Although it works for some people, we believe there are no absolutes when it comes to wellness, relaxation or happiness and we’re not the type of people who think a "retreat” that features "live" food, back to nature kiddie camp style accommodations and the "techo flush" (i.e. no electricity, enjoy peaceful nights reading by the glow of your lantern) is necessary to find
what you’re looking for.  In fact, something like that (for the bargain price of only $3,200 with all the live food you can stomach) would leave us in serious need of a 5 star resort recovery period. 

Thankfully we learned from the beginning that harmony in ALL areas is the road to bliss. If you want your body, mind and spirit to all relax and rejoice, then you need to make sure they are all pampered equally.  A fabulous meal with subtle tastes that make your senses sing, followed by a moonlight swim and Jacuzzi then back to your room to sit on your terrace listening to the sound of the waves as incense burns and you meditate in your own way is a recipe for body and soul satisfaction.  Add an in room massage to the mix and you will achieve a sort of sleepy, boneless nirvana (on your pillow top comfort mattress, show your body some love too). 

There was a time we thought the idea of either of us meditating at all, let alone with ease and on purpose, was laughable.  We had to discover meditation in a way and time that worked for us and we found our way to this soul satisfying treat when our body and spirit were in harmony.  There's just something about a day in the sun, tropical breezes and the scent of lavender and jasmine giving way to a velvety warm night , waves lapping the shore under a canopy of endless stars that makes meditation
something you are rather than a box to be checked off.  And, once you've experienced it, serenity is something you can take with you whether you go. To this day I can hold a shell picked up on that first beach, play ocean sounds and find my mind /
body & spirit transported back to a place of warmth and serenity.