By Shala Mata

Unaware that we were about to begin an adventure that would change our very core, we fell asleep to the gentle rocking of The BottomTime II. This lovely boat was to be our home for the next week. Months of planning and anticipation were complete; we are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

We are spending six days anchored 60 miles from shore in the Dominican Republic's Marine Nature Preserve, Silver Banks. Every year, 3000 - 4000 Humpback Whales arrive in these warm waters from their colder North Atlantic homes to mate and bear their young. Joan Ocean facilitates our workshop. Joan is a respected author and world traveled researcher of dolphin and whale consciousness and communication. My husband, Rob, and I, plan to film as much as we can of our whale encounters. My dream is to hear them sing and to feel their sound resonate through me.

The first morning arrives. We have seen whale activity and immerse ourselves in the beautiful, crystal blue, warm water. The grace and size of our first encounter, a female, stun me. I start to cry and my mask fills with water. My heart is so full of love and awe it is almost painful. I knew that my experiences of swimming with dolphins had prepared me for this next step, but I was quite unprepared for the "stillness" that I experienced.

I experienced ancient knowledge, profound acceptance and love. Everything seems slightly altered. I can feel my heart pounding. I am aware of the others around me, yet am in a silent space at the same time. I gaze down at the most beautiful creature directly beneath me - simply being.

Each day we have morning and afternoon encounters. We notice that the morning encounters are less frequent than in the afternoon. The whales have their own agenda and timing, and we are gently being guided to understand them. Rob and I become aware of what we feel the whales are showing us. To be with the whales we must stay in a small group and to approach only when it is appropriate. Our captains are very loving and intuitive men who have spent much time learning the physical language of these beautiful beings. You don't swim after a whale. You slip gently and quietly into the water and let them come to you. We are being invited into their world and know that we must always be discerning of their needs.

Often in the excitement and emotion of the moment, our human group would abandon its formation, and the whales would then slowly leave. Rob and I saw this happen more than once, and realized that when our group stayed together the encounters lasted longer. We were being taught about unity and group co-operation. When we strayed from that unity, the whales would not stay as close. These gentle beings were teaching us like children, in a loving beautiful way, that when we think of the whole first, and not ourselves, we receive a bounty so full it is hard to contain.

In these past years of spiritual study I had read many times about oneness and unity. My head certainly understood it, and I believed my heart did too. But it wasn't until I experienced the stillness that I understood the oneness. To gaze into a whale's eye is a journey into bliss. The overwhelming feeling of recognition and ancient knowledge filled my very core with love and peace. My dream was to hear the haunting song of the humpback whale. On the last afternoon, my last opportunity, it happened.

We actually heard "whale sounds" while the motor of our little Zodiac, lovingly called "the duck" was still running. It sounded far away and at the same time right beside us. We stopped and listened. Our boat and everyone in it slipped into silence. Again and again the most unbelievable sounds were coming to us. We gently entered the water. Directly below us a lone male sat on the bottom singing his heart out. As the sounds entered my body I began to vibrate and could feel my chakras and energetic body aligning to something so powerful and profound that I simply hung in the water as we had seen the whales do all week. For a short period of time I became the sound while this beautiful creature beneath me sang his love song. Gently he moved on. No one moved. We simply stayed in the sound and in the stillness. Each of us receiving and remembering a powerful spiritual connection with all things.

When back in the boat we were all quiet, absorbing the moment. We heard the sounds again, and slowly entered the water to continue with our education in frequency and harmonic resonance. The sounds stopped. The song finished. Our whale disappeared into the blue depths, and we concluded our last encounter in silence.

Our six days went quickly, but we all felt that time had been altered. Every evening we did a beautiful meditation on the deck, under the stars, knowing the whales were all around us. As each day passed, our group became more of a whole. We lived in a bubble of whale consciousness. We each gave intent to receive all that is appropriate for each of our paths and souls’ next steps. We gave intent to re-member.

As we approach land and prepare for our journey home , it is hard to say goodbye to our new and dear friends. Rob and I are surprised at how we are "still rocking" long after we left our boat.

The day after we arrive home, Lee Carroll is in Victoria for "An evening with Kryon." We have had tickets for weeks. We receive another blast of energy, this one different but no less powerful. Steve Rother and Lee speak of whales and dolphins. They are profound teachers and are here to guide all those who will stop and feel them. Everyday we still feel the whales close by. I have a small energy healing practice facilitating "The EMF Balancing Technique." Rob is an actor in film and television, and also teaches acting locally. We both found coming back to reality a bit of an adjustment.

As Steve and The Group said to me, "You left as one couple, and came back another." We are still individually integrating our experiences. We know we will be with the whales again. Anyone can be with the whales or dolphins anytime by simply inviting them into your space and giving loving intent to receive. The following is a simple exercise I have used to make that connection.

Feel, sense, or imagine yourself in warm turquoise waters. Feel the sun on your back as you swim, looking into the depths. Become comfortable in this new element, float and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. Gently begin to call your dolphin or whale brothers and sisters. Imagine their sounds and songs. Sense their playfulness and love. Begin to move with them, coming close but not touching in a physical way, but by way of your heart. Your familiar guides are with you, supporting and encouraging you. Follow your friends, talk to them, sing to them and then wait in silence for your journey to begin. Enjoy and have fun.

For information on BottomTime Adventures
Call Elizabeth 1-800-234-8464.

Joan Ocean - www.joanocean.com

Shala was born and raised on Vancouver Island, in Western Canada and continues to make her home on the island. The death of her father in 1975 was the catalyst for what has now become a 25-year study of Spirituality, Energy & Healing. This study has made for an interesting path of self -discovery with the understanding that our "fears" can be released, and that we create our reality every moment of the day. Five years ago Shala met her love and life partner Robert, who has been instrumental in opening her heart and empowering the move to her "Plan B Contracts".

Shala's energy healing practice has grown to where she travels extensively to practice and teach The EMF Balancing Technique ®, a powerful new healing modality allowing us to hold our highest charge and light.

Having overcome a lifetime fear of water, Shala has re-membered her passion and connection to the whales and dolphins of our planet. She has and continues to swim with them, learning to communicate beyond our familiar senses. Shala will host a live dolphin encounter with Steve & Barbara Rother in Cancun this May.