love https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr/ en ༄ Mother's day Primordial Mantra ༄ https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr/node/138 <span class="field field-name-title field-formatter-string field-type-string field-label-hidden"> ༄ Mother&#039;s day Primordial Mantra ༄</span> <div class="field field-node--field-image field-formatter-image field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden has-single"><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-1"><div class="field-type-image__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/thehappinessretreat.gr/files/styles/square_720x720/public/articles/Motherhood%20Apostolia.jpg?itok=4sTfQdvj" width="720" height="720" alt="With my new born son" class="image-style-square-720x720" /> </div> </figure></div> <span class="field field-name-uid field-formatter-author field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><span>Apostolia</span></span> <span class="field field-name-created field-formatter-timestamp field-type-created field-label-hidden">Tue, 02/06/2020 - 07:40</span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-node--body field-formatter-text-default field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden has-single"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item"><p>Ma is the first word we say. Ma-Ma is recognized from almost every human being in the world as the name we give to our first shelter. Our mother.</p> <p>{Ma-Ma is a primordial mantra that I use in my teachings and connects us with Mother Love.}</p> <p>Becoming a mom, 17 years ago was and is the greatest gift of my life. No matter the difficulties, the struggles, the work it needs to be a mother I would never change it as it taught me first of all to love my own mother unconditionally and to give her only gratitude. For she gave me life. </p> <p>Motherhood connected me deeply with my wounds, helped me to face them, and heal them, helped me to recognize what unconditional love is.</p> <p>{Ma-Ma leads to MaM when we are babies calling for food calling for Love }</p> <p>Thank you to my mother, thank you to my son, thank you most of all to our Great Mother Earth for nurturing us humans with your abundant love.</p> <p>Close your eyes and hum so you connect with the unconditional love inside you, the highest frequency of all:<br /> Ma- Ma -Ma - Ma- Ma- Ma </p></div></div> </div> <div class="field field-node-field-tags field-entity-reference-type-taxonomy-term field-formatter-entity-reference-label field-name-field-tags field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item field__item--mantra"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/107" hreflang="en">mantra</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--mother"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/108" hreflang="en">mother</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--love"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en">love</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--unconditionallove"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/109" hreflang="en">unconditionallove</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--embodied"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/105" hreflang="en">embodied</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--spirituality"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">spirituality</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--apostolia"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/10" hreflang="en">Apostolia</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--happiness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/13" hreflang="en">Happiness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--consiousness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/110" hreflang="en">consiousness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--vibration"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/111" hreflang="en">vibration</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--frequancy"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/112" hreflang="en">frequancy</a></span> </div></div> </div> Tue, 02 Jun 2020 04:40:25 +0000 Apostolia 138 at https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr ༄ Growing older ༄ https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr/node/122 <span class="field field-name-title field-formatter-string field-type-string field-label-hidden"> ༄ Growing older ༄</span> <div class="field field-node--field-image field-formatter-image field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden has-single"><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-1"><div class="field-type-image__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/thehappinessretreat.gr/files/styles/square_720x720/public/articles/Apostolia%20%2B%20Elder%20woman%20Koufonisi%20island%202018_1.JPG?itok=BaEoQ8dL" width="720" height="720" alt="Apostolia Papadamaki meeting a beautiful elder woman in Blue BLiss Happiness Retreat 2018" class="image-style-square-720x720" /> </div> </figure></div> <span class="field field-name-uid field-formatter-author field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><span>Apostolia</span></span> <span class="field field-name-created field-formatter-timestamp field-type-created field-label-hidden">Tue, 04/02/2020 - 07:31</span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-node--body field-formatter-text-default field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden has-single"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item"><p>In every elder woman, I see my grandmother. Who’s the name I carry and it means mission.</p> <p>Who was an intuitive healer at a small Greek village and taught me how to heal body and soul. Who was an artist of life, creating all kinds of artifacts. Who was singing and dancing every day just because she was alive and she inherited this gift to me.</p> <p>Who was a true embodiment of Mother Earth feeding and nourishing her 9 children and 16 grandchildren. </p> <p>Who was in love with my grandfather since she was 15 years old and at her 70s she was telling me: Look at your grandfather, isn’t he the most beautiful man in the world?</p> <p><br /> In every elder woman, I see my grandmother.</p> <p>Who taught me that kindness to all living beings is the key to unlock your heart and spread happiness around you.</p> <p>When I meet an elder woman I honor her with a smile, a warm truthful hello, a gaze of gratitude for her wisdom as I see the miracle of life in her.</p> <p>No, it’s not elder women’s day or grandmother's day today...</p> <p>It’s my birthday coming up in a few days and I am full of gratitude that I am alive and that you are alive just because elder women took care of our mothers and fathers and us...</p> <p>If you read these words and you meet an elder woman today, be truly present. Maybe you can see your heart sparkling in her eyes.</p> <p>Love always prevails.</p> <p><br /> Apostolia</p> <p> </p> <p><br /> The photo was taken in Koufonisi island, Greece while facilitating the Blue Bliss Happiness Retreat 2018.<br />  </p></div></div> </div> <div class="field field-node-field-tags field-entity-reference-type-taxonomy-term field-formatter-entity-reference-label field-name-field-tags field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item field__item--ancestors"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/81" hreflang="en">ancestors</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--birthday"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/82" hreflang="en">birthday</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--inspiration"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/83" hreflang="en">inspiration</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--lineage"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/84" hreflang="en">lineage</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--lightworker"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/85" hreflang="en">lightworker</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--light"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">light</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--awareness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">awareness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--apostolia"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/10" hreflang="en">Apostolia</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--mission"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/87" hreflang="en">mission</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--transformation"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">Transformation</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--retreat"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">Retreat</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--teacher"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/64" hreflang="en">teacher</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--awareness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">awareness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--mindfulness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/88" hreflang="en">mindfulness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--kindness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/89" hreflang="en">kindness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--love"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en">love</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--_8"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/90" hreflang="en">(68)</a></span> </div></div> </div> Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:31:48 +0000 Apostolia 122 at https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr ༄ Nature and Gratitude ༄ https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr/articles/nature-and-gratitude <span class="field field-name-title field-formatter-string field-type-string field-label-hidden"> ༄ Nature and Gratitude ༄</span> <div class="field field-node--field-image field-formatter-image field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden has-single"><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-1"><div class="field-type-image__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/thehappinessretreat.gr/files/styles/square_720x720/public/articles/Apostolia%20Papadamaki%20The%20Happiness%20Retreat%20Nature%20and%20Gratitude%20Handpaint%20offer%20%20copy_1.jpg?itok=CzTOMdRe" width="720" height="720" alt="Hand painted wood offering to the trees by Apostolia" class="image-style-square-720x720" /> </div> </figure></div> <span class="field field-name-uid field-formatter-author field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><span>Apostolia</span></span> <span class="field field-name-created field-formatter-timestamp field-type-created field-label-hidden">Fri, 07/09/2018 - 08:49</span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-node--body field-formatter-text-default field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden has-single"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item"><p><em>༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄</em><br /><em>I think that I shall never see <br /> A poem lovely as a tree. <br /> A tree that looks at God all day, <br /> And lifts her leafy arms to pray; <br /> Poems are made by fools like me, <br /> But only God can make a tree.</em></p> <p><em>༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄ ༄</em><br /><br /><em>How do we make decisions?<br /><br /> I used to sit and think a lot using my mind -that is so capable of making all kinds of stories, possibilities, and assumptions - and I was never happy with my decisions. Or better saying I was never in peace with my decisions.<br /><br /> Life brought me some very difficult moments that became my most valuable lessons and led me in deep connection with my breath, my heart, unity, and universal love so my mind started interfering less and less with judgments that were completely unnecessary to live a meaningful everyday life.<br /><br /> I started practicing meditation in Nature every time I had to take an important decision, sitting still, breathing, connecting with the trees or the clouds, the sun, the moon, a little flower, a bird, emptying my mind and entering the frequency of Love.<br /><br /> I live in the city but thanks to the creator there are sources of comforting elements of nature everywhere. We just need to acknowledge them.<br /><br /> This practice not only comforted me but also gave me a whole new perspective on what are my true needs, what I really want to be a sweet loving and compassionate human being. <br /><br /> I threw away many mindsets (that were not mine anyway) and I became lighter, more creative and courageous on crucial decision making.<br /><br /> I felt gratitude coming like a powerful stream of light inside me and an inevitable need to express my gratitude in any way I can, to Nature. Gradually I started expressing gratitude to Humans and especially to Humans I have love relationships (that's the hardest one!)<br /><br /> So September's newsletter is devoted to a big Thank you to the Trees, these amazing beings that supported me in August and gave me precious insights.<br /><br /> Take some time this month to connect with a Tree in your neighborhood and make some new decisions on how you dream your self.  Sit next to it, listen, see, smell, breathe. It will speak to you in unseen, unheard ways that can bring happiness and peace to your soul. Thank your self for taking the time to be with your self. And thank the Tree for the unconditional coexistence or just leave a creative expression of your loving self!<br /><br /> Love &amp; Light to you all.<br /><br /> Apostolia </em></p> <p> </p></div></div> </div> <div class="field field-node-field-tags field-entity-reference-type-taxonomy-term field-formatter-entity-reference-label field-name-field-tags field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item field__item--trees"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/25" hreflang="en">trees</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--gratitude"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">gratitude</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--nature"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/27" hreflang="en">nature</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--apostolia"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/10" hreflang="en">Apostolia</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--papadamaki"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Papadamaki</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--happiness"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/13" hreflang="en">Happiness</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--retreat"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">Retreat</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--practices"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/28" hreflang="en">practices</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--selfgrowth"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/29" hreflang="en">selfgrowth</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--meditation"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/30" hreflang="en">meditation</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--love"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en">love</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--transformation"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">Transformation</a></span> </div></div> </div> Fri, 07 Sep 2018 05:49:00 +0000 Apostolia 93 at https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr Tune into the frequency of LOVE https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr/articles/tune-frequency-love <span class="field field-name-title field-formatter-string field-type-string field-label-hidden"> Tune into the frequency of LOVE</span> <div class="field field-node--field-image field-formatter-image field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden has-single"><figure class="field-type-image__figure image-count-1"><div class="field-type-image__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/thehappinessretreat.gr/files/styles/square_720x720/public/articles/The-Happiness-Retreat-Founder-Teacher-Apostolia-Papadamaki-3.jpg?itok=MFTlQc0C" width="720" height="720" alt="apostolia papadamaki meditation " class="image-style-square-720x720" /> </div> </figure></div> <span class="field field-name-uid field-formatter-author field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><span>Apostolia</span></span> <span class="field field-name-created field-formatter-timestamp field-type-created field-label-hidden">Tue, 12/12/2017 - 16:01</span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-node--body field-formatter-text-default field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden has-single"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item"><p>Sometimes I feel this emptiness inside me. It’s like I have a great lack of something and this feeling of vacuum inside is very strong. I long and search for something that will make me feel less alone, less vacant. The desire to understand me and to understand life is profound. But very often I am trapped in my mind “set” instead of vibrating in the frequency of Love. I choose to connect.</p> <p>I start with my body.</p> <p>This body, the miraculous one, who has brought me to who I am today, this beautiful, difficult or easy day. I Dance, I Sing. I connect with the elements I'm made of: the Water, the Earth, the Sun, the Stars, my Ancestors, and my Descendants. I look at the Light and I take a deep Breath. This one and miraculous Breath that brings me in the present moment. It is enough to make me feel I am celebrating life.</p> <p>I understand that every human has pain inside and it is not just me. That everyone is afraid and everyone gets angry. Everyone feels this “vacuum” and they all want to Love. To be loved is directly connected with “to love” by the sense of being Love.</p> <p>Learning to live in the vibration of love is the reason we are here. It is our individual (sole) and collective purpose. It is the secret of life that is hidden with a clear view. Love is the elixir for joy and antidote to pain. Love strengthens the fire of our passion. Our love elevates our limitations to our abilities. Love exceeds time and space. Love converts differences and prejudices. Love Heals.</p> <p>Love is the vibration of the Spirit, the song of the Universe.</p> <p>Opening the curtain to let Love in for Christmas and New Year.</p> <p>With Love and Light always.</p></div></div> </div> <div class="field field-node-field-tags field-entity-reference-type-taxonomy-term field-formatter-entity-reference-label field-name-field-tags field-type-entity-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item field__item--love"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en">love</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--selfgrowth"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/29" hreflang="en">selfgrowth</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--healing"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/41" hreflang="en">healing</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--spirituality"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">spirituality</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--body"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/42" hreflang="en">body</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--dance"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/43" hreflang="en">dance</a></span> </div><div class="field__item field__item--sing"> <span class="field__item-wrapper"><a href="/taxonomy/term/44" hreflang="en">sing</a></span> </div></div> </div> Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:01:09 +0000 Apostolia 54 at https://www.thehappinessretreat.gr