Blog

Why Ubud?

reflections

I first came to Bali in 2014 with my younger daughter. We have travelled extensively but this was the first place I ever heard myself say “For the next two weeks let’s live our perfect life” . I went home from that trip and stuck a picture of a Bali villa on my office wall to remind me that one day this would be my life for much longer than two weeks.

I found that picture in 2021 when I was clearing out my office because I was halfway through building my home in Bali and planning to spend at least half my time there. It made me smile. I’d forgotten my 7 year old promise to myself – but clearly my subconscious, and Bali, had not.

Ubud means healing and I am in a continuing journey of self discovery here. Peeling off the layers of (so called) civilisation and getting closer and closer to my authentic self. That has been uncomfortable at times – growing pains! – and joyful at others. I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin.

Things happen here. Insights are shared, breakthroughs unfold. There are some amazing healers I can introduce you to (and some I’d avoid). I love the people, the jungle, living in nature and not in the media.

Lewisham Death Cafe

Blog

Death Cafes are held all over the world. A moment in space and time to reflect on death in a safe and open-minded space. See their website for more info

How we feel about it, our personal experiences, our hopes and fears.

I am a trained Death Doula (death companion) and Shamanic energy worker. I run these events to create a safe space for us to speak freely, without taboos or awkwardness, about a sacred – and maybe terrifying for you – moment that all of us will face one day. Or to share openly our experiences of others dying and how we really felt, not how we thought we were supposed to feel.

Next event:

MyOfficeClub Lewisham, 3-5pm, Friday 17 Sep in the auditorium

Just come with your heart and soul. No charge. For more info contact windsofdiscovery@gmail.com

As preparation you might be interested in listening to this meditation to develop our relationship with both life and death. 

Peaceful Warrior Course

Classes, Event

An in-person experiential course in shamanic techniques for young people interested in developing their personal power

Led by Catherine Shovlin, shamanic practitioner

The course is available on demand. Min 4 participants per location.

Catherine studied shamanism first with Gill Edwards in 1994 and with various teachers since then, including the Sacred Trust most recently (2019). She uses shamanic techniques for healing, soul retrieval, helping the dead pass peacefully, resolving unwelcome spirits and supporting revitalisation.

The techniques selected for this course will be safe and practical. Giving the participants a clear grounding in topics such as:

  • understand where you are losing power
  • deal with fear and awkwardness
  • develop equanimity
  • find your creative expression
  • connect to your true self
  • develop a sense of your soul journey

Death related support

death, services

sa . ta . na . ma

birth . life . death . rebirth.
The circle of life

I offer counselling and energy healing around the subject of death and grieving. I draw on my training as a qualified death doula and shamanic healer and my experience of death and grief in doula work and time spent with people in famine areas and refugee camps.

Modern society has largely forgotten how to “do death”. We push it away, hoping somehow it won’t touch us. Our loved ones are rushed off to the funeral director’s hands and, after a few weeks, friends start asking if you’re “alright now”. As though you were getting over a cold, not readjusting your whole world.

It can help to talk through the deaths you have experienced or how you feel about your own death, in a safe accepting space. There is no right or wrong way to deal with death. But facing it is a start.

Catherine Shovlin

End-of-life support – one on one sessions to deal with issues around dying, death and grief. Including coming to terms with death, End-of-life planning, dealing with bereavement

Shamanic soul release – to help those who have died to move on, even if they ended their life on earth a long time ago. This may be someone close to you, or an unwelcome presence you sense in your home.

Sacred Death training – experiential group training to examine your relationship with death. See training page for more info. Sacred Death book out soon!

Death cafes – holding safe space for a facilitated group discussion to give everyone a chance to say and ask everything they never dared to raise before about death. Or maybe they raised before and nobody wanted to listen.

All can generally be in person or over zoom. US$50 per hour.

Contact windsofdiscovery@gmail.com to arrange.

Sacred Death Training

Classes, death, Event

If you are interested in joining me for the next Sacred Death course (April 2024) then do please get in touch (windsofdiscovery@gmail.com). This course is designed for anyone who has a personal or professional interest in understanding death and how we live with it.

Do you find yourself at odds with family and old friends in your attitudes to death? Or maybe the thought terrifies you and you are ready to understand why and shift that feeling. Maybe you are currently grieving and confused by the process.

We will discuss aspects of death and how we can support ourselves and others experiencing this important event.

This courses take place in person with a small group in Bali (at Infiniti, Jl Penestanan, Ubud). It is strongly recommended that you commit to attend all six sessions as this is a learning journey that we will take together.

Here are some comments from previous participants:

“Catherine creates a space where we can explore and discover on an individual and group level. It’s wonderful to opportunity to have conversations and share perspectives around topics that are often not spoken about. Catherine is a magnificent guide, sharing from her experiences and leading the group with her calm and charismatic presence. I recommend this experience to anybody who is resonating with it at a given time in their lives. ” Karin

“I recommend everyone to learn how to deal with death. Interestingly enough, in every session the course taught me a lot about life.” Sanne

“This course make me at peace with death” Cuaca

“I loved every minute” Katherine

SIX SESSION COURSE

CONTENT

  1. Introduction – our own views and experiences, of death and grief. The art of Compassionate Presence.
  2. Our own death – coming to terms with it, designing a meaningful death that meets our needs, creating an Advanced Plan
  3. Death and Society – different cultural approaches and taboos around death and grief. Comparison of Western approach with Balinese views. Controversial deaths.
  4. Death and family dynamics – death stories, a person-centred approach, holding space. Secrets, lies, scandals and heartache
  5. Working with death – physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of death and caring for the dying
  6. Integration and Application – including sharing the Shamanic practices I use before and after death

COURSE FORMAT

Sessions of three hours in a small group using a combination of talking circles, pair work, practical exercises and sharing information. There will be a reading list provided during the course with some research or reflection work to complete between classes. We draw on my book Sacred Death (available on your country’s amazon – here are some of the most common ones amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.com.au.

The next course will be in person, in Ubud Bali. Sessions are 3 hours each. It is important to commit to attending the whole course as it is designed as a journey.

2024 dates: April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, May 2. contact windsofdiscovery@gmail.com to reserve your spot

The six sessions are usually offered as six weekly sessions, leaving plenty of time between each session to emotionally process the work we are covering. However if, for example, your group is travelling from overseas, then I can also offer as Tues, Wed, Thurs one week and the same the following week. Just get in touch to discuss (windsofdiscovery@gmail.com)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

There is no specialist experience needed. Much more important is your attitude to the topic, your own relationship with death and your ability to work well within the group and follow the shared agreement we will draw up together around safe space, confidentiality etc. I reserve the right to suggest further personal development is needed before joining the course.

THE COST

When a course is posted here as already set up, the cost to participate is 3.5 mill IDR per person (£180, US$230, A$350, Euro215)

If you would like to create a course for your group then that can also be arranged. The cost for an on demand course is 20 mill IDR plus travel cost if outside Ubud and includes two free places. Up to 8 additional participants are welcome @ 3 mill IDR per person (£155, US$190, A$300, Euro175).

Two scholarship places are available on each course to local individuals showing special aptitude and interest but without the means to pay. Please email me at windsofdiscovery@gmail.com if you wish to be considered.

Your Color Code

Color, services

Many of us tend to undervalue ourselves. To make unfavourable comparisons with others in the room / our lives / the media. If only we were smarter, older, younger, more creative, more numerate, more articulate… sound familiar?

So the idea of discovering your Color Code is to have a visual reminder of who you are and why you are uniquely valuable. Your job isn’t to be someone else, it’s to be you.

I will do a 2 hour interview (in person or via zoom) and then use the information I gather from that, along with intuitive energy work that I do remotely (with your permission – no active participation required from you). I will then identify the 3 precise colors that represent your greatest strengths – and what the combination means.

In the report you receive I will give you examples of the three colors as well as RGB references in case you want to use them in your personal branding.

Here are some of the responses I have had from clients

“This is great, thank you so much! It brought tears to my eyes on a couple of occasions.”

“I’ve been returning to your colours reading which is extraordinarily helpful and is speaking to my unconscious. Thank you so much for your very sensitive reading.”

“Catherine was able to distill the real essence of me (behind the colour masks I wear), and guide me towards the choices that would allow me to really shine.”

“Catherine is able to really listen and read between the lines without making assumptions or judgements. “

“The report I received from Catherine was stunningly accurate, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I have referred to it every single day since I received it.  It’s worth more than its weight in gold.”

If this sounds like something you would like to experience this for yourself, then contact me on windsofdiscovery@gmail.com to arrange your appointment.

NEWSFLASH! The cost for this service has been reduced from $999 to $399.

CREDENTIALS

I trained with color psychology guru, Angela Wright, 20 years ago and have applied my knowledge and experience in numerous personal, spaces and branding applications since then.

My first book on color “Your True Colors” has helped many people develop their Color Sense and power up their well being.

I studied with Feminine Power for three years and am a certified Transformational Leader.

I have worked with hundreds of women from CEOs to refugees to help them identify their strengths and improve their lives and business performance.

I am a trained energy healer, using reiki, channelling and guided journeys to untap our unconscious wisdom.

Help my wisdom connect you to yours.

Contact me on windsofdiscovery@gmail.com to arrange your appointment.

The cost for this service has been reduced from $999 to $399 to allow more people to access this important information

Your True Colors

Color

Color affects us whether we like it or not. So understanding the different impacts, not just of say red versus blue, but that dark blue versus that mid blue or even that pure navy versus the one with a slight greenish hue.

This introductory guide will show you how color affects all of us (whether we are interested in color or color blind) and how you can tune up your choices and step into your power for your brand, environment or wardrobe. choices.

Live Life in Full Color

Color

Ever wondered what chakras are and how they might affect you?

Not feeling completely your best and wondering what to do?

This easy to read guide and accompanying videos will give you the inside track to getting your chakras running well. Want to feel healthier, more clear-headed, more loving, more creative… ? Choose the section that helps you most, or work your way through the book.

Includes ways to identify which of your chakras could use a little help and then offers simple yoga exercises, meditations, suggestions of helpful activities and foods to eat.

Bali Death Cafe

Event

Death Cafes are held all over the world. A moment in space and time to reflect on death in a safe and open-minded space.

How we feel about it, our personal experiences, our hopes and fears.

I am a trained Death Doula (death companion) and Shamanic energy worker. I run these events to create a safe space for us to speak freely, without taboos or awkwardness, about a sacred – and maybe terrifying for you – moment that all of us will face one day. Or to share openly our experiences of others dying and how we really felt, not how we thought we were supposed to feel.

Next events:

Ubud, 3-5pm, Sunday Oct 18

Canggu, 1-3pm, Friday Oct 30

Just come with your heart and soul. Suggested contribution of 100k Rp will go to community projects. For more info contact windsofdiscovery@gmail.com

As prep you might be interested in this meditation to develop our relationship with both life and death. 

Deep Relaxation Sundays (yoga nidra / yogic sleep)

Event

This is a relaxation practice that requires you to lie on your back on the floor (like you do at the end of a yoga class), as comfortably as possible – use several cushions and a duvet or blanket – to create yourself a cosy space. As you lie there I will guide you through your Yoga Nidra session.

Benefits reported by those participating in Yoga Nidra include

  • relief from physical or mental pain
  • increased creativity
  • improved ability to rest the mind, less frenetic mental activity
  • a sense of coming home to your true self
  • increased self-empowerment
  • peace, contentment, bliss

In this one hour weekly class there will be time to ask questions and raise any concerns as well as to experience a Yoga Nidra session. You can attend a single class, and you may find it more beneficial to have a regular attendance.

If you cannot make the time of the live session, you can order a recording and listen in your own time. You may also want to do both.

Tickets available from Eventbrite