by Rob Skinner, Hastings Point, NSW
Last night I attended a party celebration and what can only be described as a true celebration of the Love and Joy that we are.
The occasion was a masquerade ball organised by Natalie Benhayon, Curtis Benhayon, Michael Benhayon and Emmalee Benhayon, to celebrate the birthdays and lives of these amazing young friends, as well as ALL the guests who attended.
I have been to many functions and parties in my 48 years on this planet, and even organised some pretty flash events myself, but what I attended last night has totally re-defined for me what it is to truly celebrate.
Upon arrival I was met by hundreds of people dressed in the most amazing masquerade costumes outside of Venice, and the most beautiful faces and smiles I have ever seen and felt anywhere.
There was no alcohol, just water and a little fruit punch; none of the usual cheap or stimulating party food, but a massive spread of the most divine, carefully planned, made and presented delicious food ever brought together. Even the labels on the food were done so thoughtfully – describing the ingredients, the flavours and in some cases, the inspiration behind the delicious creation.
No tacky, stimulating or emotional party music, but rather song after song of divine tunes that have been written from the heart to celebrate the love that we ALL truly are, and performed without great productions, effects or volume – in fact many of the songs had no background music at all – to over 300 people who all felt like the songs had been written about them.
What a music concert and what a way to celebrate!! Many of the songs were written by Glorious Music to express the love and inspiration we receive from each other, and as they were sung I could feel that every word, every sentence and every song was absolutely true.
People dancing together as one, some with partners, many with friends, men with women, women with women and even men with men, all comfortably looking into each others’ eyes without reservation, and all dancing with harmony and joy, more like angels than people.
What an absolute joy to be dancing and expressing within a group where at no stage did I feel self- conscious or feel any judgement, jealousy or comparison in the whole room; rather, every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.
As I was driving home at 8:30pm – yes, the ball was all over at around 8pm so that young and old could be home and in bed at a self-loving time – I reflected on how I was feeling. What I felt was amazing. Five hours of partying, dancing and singing and I felt an absolute stillness and joy in me. I was not ‘buzzing’, left wanting more, feeling tired or drained, simply glowing in the love that I had been immersed in today, and reflecting on the fact that I had just attended the greatest true party celebration on planet earth.
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
Rob if I had read this years ago, I would have laughed as my type of party would have been to get drunk, eat, late nights and pay for the consequences the next day or days after. This no longer occurs as what has been shared in this blog, is how I live and prefer to live. Parties can still be fun without the alcohol and late nights, you actually get to meet people in their truest form.
When this is shared with others, people still have a problem when I share that I go to bed early and I don’t drink anymore. And yet I have had countless dinners and get togethers with little ramifications of the event.
Life is fun and can be fun if we allow it to flow in its natural cause. I much rather get to know someone without the alcohol and see them for their truest form, then pretending to be something they are not.
There can be the greatest forms of party celebrations on planet earth, if we are willing to receive that there is another way to party.
Coming back to this blog reminded me that in a few months’ time an event will take place where for 2 days a lot of alcohol will be consumed. That is really the main reason behind the event, it gives people a reason to over indulge with the excuse that they were entertaining clients. I was talking to someone about this event and asking if they were going to go out partying and was surprised to hear that they would be have an early supper with a client and then going to bed early as they had become tired of the effect that alcohol had on them. This is a massive shift in attitude and so I wonder if we are at last recognising that alcohol actually doesn’t change anything when it comes to solving life’s problems they are still there the next day plus we then have a hangover to contend with so we could say we are worse off because now we have two things to contend with instead of one.
Mary this comment reminded me of the days I was one of those people who would drink till the birds were tweeting in the morning! And there was a point when my body could not handle the after effects, it was horrible and I shudder the amounts of hangovers I woke up with. Eventually the liver kept saying no and the recovery was longer and longer.
So for some there comes a point when they have no choice, and for many it is a matter of a choice…
I remember that party and it was a great party as are all the parties have been since. The music was beautiful to listen to or dance to, there was not a drop of emotion in the words because of this. The music didn’t invade our bodies to stir old emotions.
To live, work and play in a way that is non invasive I have discovered is the best way to live and celebrate life.
What a great party celebration, ‘ What I felt was amazing. Five hours of partying, dancing and singing and I felt an absolute stillness and joy in me.’
“Five hours of partying, dancing and singing and I felt an absolute stillness and joy in me. I was not ‘buzzing’, left wanting more, feeling tired or drained, simply glowing in the love that I had been immersed in…” This is a great reminder for life’s in general, we can be in our stillness all day (imperfectly) and still feel centered and with ourselves each evening…. work in progress for me but what a beautiful purpose.
How beautiful, to feel that connection and for it not to be influenced by the music or what you were eating and drinking. We think that this kind of experience needs layers and layers to happen, party planning is a big business after all! Yet what you offer here is a much more long-lasting memory because the experience set a new standard of normal, clearly.
Certainly no hang over – but a realization that we don’t celebrate enough like this!
Very few celebrations consider finishing early enough to allow everyone to get to bed at a time that supports the body and allows it to be vital and ready again for the next day. This is the same considering the alcohol that is often found at other celebrations, and which depletes the body asking for a day or two of recovery. This celebration that has been shared, is one that is full of self care and regeneration and appreciation of self and the body – a true way to celebrate!
Thank you Rob – you have shared of a true celebration of who we are rather than a distraction from who we are into the what we are not.
So many words carry a True relationship with energy and the energy at a True celebration stays within the participants so no hang overs for this bunch.
After growing up with the experience that parties mean lots of alcohol, cheap snacks, sleaziness, late nights etc it is wonderful to discover how awesome a real celebration can be without any of these ingredients.
What you are sharing Rob is gold that we can have such fun and enjoyment with each other but it is not draining on our bodies and that we come away from these parties feeling very alive and yet so very content and how many people in the world today can honestly say they are content and brimming with life.
To celebrate, to be with others and not loose ourselves to buzz or stimulation, to leave with a connection to the stillness in us, that is a gift we can give ourselves; for in anything we do in life, it’s about staying connected to the stillness in us.
Yes and sometimes we need to hang out with others who are committed to return to that way of living so we know what it can feel like and then fine tune it away from that hanging out.
Yes, a celebration of all the amazing -ness that we are without doing anything! What a concept. It is like the continuos party that young children are in all the time, without even trying.
Yes, beautifully said.
The feeling and the movement of oneness is always a feast, a beautiful stream to bath and swim in.
True celebration comes from the foundation of celebrating our true worth and amazingness.
Thank you that is lovely. A lovely start of looking at music and finding your way to truly understand and observe the quality of movement in music.
You can celebrate in full, without all the abuse that usually gets thrown in and makes you feel like truck was driving up and down you the next morning. The reason… so you can equally celebrate the next day as well!
So true! I have felt that truck way too many times! After a while of feeling better when I didn’t drink alcohol at these events, what really shocked me was feeling ‘the truck’ the next day even when I didn’t drink alcohol, that it was to do with a whole collection of things. I realise looking back now that that is when I started to remember that life is about more than what we see and there is a whole sea of energy we swim in that affects us equally when we do not choose to be aware.
I love celebrating and coming together. Before UniMed this was all based around loosing control and doing things I would never want to. This was because of mostly alcohol and drugs. At UniMed when the band and performances are on stage I can feel like I’m on the stage too. The feeling in my body is heavenly and totally healing not harming. It’s the way life can be celebrated!
What is so cool about celebrating in the way Rob described occurred at the masquerade ball was how the people who attended it actually grew more love and connection in their lives through the party with the way they were with each other, as opposed to the usual party where people are abusing their bodies with alcohol or drugs, looking to prove themselves witty or intelligent through their ability to remember things, and eating food that numbs them, overstimulates them, or is super heavy and dulling. All in order to check out of life, rather than engaging fully as in the masquerade ball.
You give the perfect barometer for every party with singing and dancing here after, if you don’t feel immersed with absolute stillness, joy and love something is ‘off’.
The celebrations held by the Benhayon’s are a true celebration because it is an opportunity for everyone to express more playfulness, joy and to feel how powerful the love and connection is between us all.
Yes, these celebrations take ‘celebration’ to a whole new level.
A celebration without the hangover from too much emotion, rich food or alcohol sounds like a genuinely joyful way to party.
Celebration has to be a moment of repose, an act of confirmation, to keep going. Usually, it is about relief and openly trashing the body in the name of let’s have a good time. Two very different patterns of movement under the same heading. It is up to each one to decide which one suits him/her.
Beautifully put, Eduardo, a true celebration is a moment of repose, an act of confirmation and as a follow up expansion can be felt in the body.
When a Student portrays any event because there is always so much Joy and Love that is shared, it is almost impossible to put into words the Truth of what has happened, my feeling is that this is a stellar job Rob, as it captures the event.
If there is one thing that Universal Medicine knows how to do, it’s how to party in a way that truly celebrates everything that we are, with all that we are.
This is the benefit that they know who they and we truly are in the first place… so there is no trying, and no holding back either.
It’s true Simon… It’s like commitment all over again even in celebration you can feel it’s worth.
In the past I’ve left parties feeling battered, as the bass of the music reverberates through my body. I don’t get that with Glorious Music even when my car is vibrating from the volume once off it doesn’t linger.
“every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.” A beautiful way to celebrate and appreciate all who shared the celebration and the movements that offered a loving energetic imprint to the hall.
Beautiful, that is so true.. Love is always the celebration of who we are.. hence a party without this — simply is no celebration at all.
It’s a celebration of celebrations where everyone gets to celebrate who they are and then bask in the glory of being surrounded by others doing the same.
I attend these parties once or even twice a year and they are exactly as you’ve described Rob. Very light and joyful and at the end many stay behind to pack up and clear down. All finished before 9pm. Allowing us to be bright the next morning.
It sets a marker for how we can share with our children the joy of partying without stimulants. It should be an essential opportunity that once experienced means we can choose the same for ourselves – or not of course.
This was one of the first Universal Medicine celebrations I had attended and was amazed at how I felt every part of me confirmed to the core. It was beautiful to feel celebrated and celebrate myself, but equally so to celebrate the true loving connections that are shared between students of The Way of The Livingness, and the absolute joy and fun that is possible and feels completely natural when just be our real selves.
Its a great point that parties typically leave you exhausted and hung over the next day. Even if you don’t drink there is still that feeling of being smashed the next morning. Attending a party where the enjoyment of being together is open and on show, and more than that truly appreciated sets the new standard for what parties are really about.
It’s refreshing to see that there are ways to ‘party’ that break the mould or the norm. At this point most parties and particularly older birthday parties are a somewhat wild event. Usually starting with the formalities as they are called and those that stay party ‘all night long’ which seems to hang over into the next days. For me it’s great to see a large group of people come together and share a meal, a sing and a dance in a way that truly brings them together with no hang over. This is possibly a sign of things to come and something to remember.
Thanks for sharing Rob, a sign of things to come I am sure.
Great to read this again Rob, I particularly enjoyed this line “and all dancing with harmony and joy, more like angels than people.” Our divinity is the waiting to be expressed in everything, whether it’s a party or a mundane task like cleaning we can be in connection to all the that we all are!
The celebrations organised by the Benhayons are lovely to be a part of, the joy and love in the room at these events is palpable.
Amazing description to the greatest party of all time – and a true way to celebrate.
A Benhayon celebration is such a joyful event, full of playfulness and joy, a great re-imprinting of how to have a party, without the need for alcohol or stimulating food, and is the most amazing reawakening of how we can have the greatest fun, just from being ourselves.
Thank you for sharing your experience of this celebration Rob, what an amazing event, it felt lovely to just read about it.
I love your description of this party Rob. I was there in this occasion and remember having an amazing time even though it brought up a lot for me. When we attend a true celebration it reminds us that most celebrations we see are actually not much more than harmful escapes that leave us hungover and bereft when they are over.
Beautifully appreciated Rob. Universal Medicine knows how to celebrate. My partner and I held an engagement party last night and even the simple fact that we held a party with no alcohol was worth appreciating. The thing I loved most was feeling how at home the kids at the party were, they didn’t have to deal with the imposing energy that comes with alcohol and it was beautiful to feel.
The Universal Medicine annual Balls and other celebrations are amazing, the music is so inspiring and it literally feels like every cell in my body responds. The food is nourishing, the company is gentle yet joyful, and it’s also a very respectful loving environment. People might not think you can enjoy a party without alcohol or junk food but the fun we have is like nothing I’ve experienced before – it’s not about highs or stimulation but celebration of our inner connection.
Yes Rob, I was never a party animal and was quite sedate at them, choosing to not stay too late and did not enjoy the loud music or the behaviours of most there, but when I have attended Universal Medicine celebrations, it is exactly how you describe and so very enjoyable for the body and soul.
Julie I was the same, I never enjoyed the parties much I went to, I wasn’t a fan of alcohol or out of control behaviour, or the way people could often be rough with themselves or others mostly because they were drunk. Celebrating the love and joy we can live together is actually super fun, no one gets hurt and it’s absolutely beautiful going home feeling like I’m filled with even more love and joy.
There is a different way of living to what is so called “normal society”, our hours of sleep can be different, the way we celebrate can be different, the way we relate to one another can be different. By discarding the pictures of how life is, or even questioning whether life has to be that way, there is a possibility of living in a way that is more loving and true for our bodies.
Yes Heather and strange as it sounds we need permission to go there – to know there is another way! I didn’t realise how many pictures we had till I started looking for them, then it was a bit of a smashfest till I started noticing that I was much more open to the opportunity that was in front of me.
I was just imagining how people would behave if we grew up where there were no norms telling us what is ok in society. Would we then return to our bodies for a reference point of what is acceptable or not? There are norms that we don’t accept in other cultures eg. female genital mutilation, but we do not challenge the norms we have in our culture. Yet parents warn kids not to follow other kids blindly. There are some big contradictions here.
Very true Rob, after just attending another Universal Medicine celebration a few nights ago I can also say these celebrations are so unique in that hundreds of people dancing and enjoying the live music that was available without a single drop of alcohol – it is a true blessing to experience this.
I agree with you Rob – attending any celebration with Universal Medicine is absolutely amazing, everyone having a joyful time together, without one drop of alcohol in sight and no-one trying to impress anyone else.
“…but what I attended last night has totally re-defined for me what it is to truly celebrate”.
The first time I attended a Universal Medicine celebration I remember looking around the room thinking that this was what I had always been looking for. Even though most people in the room I didn’t know so well, I felt like I had come home.
What a night, I remember it well and what you have portrayed Rob is spot-on. Each person was connecting to being the Son of God so ‘to express the love and inspiration we receive from each other‘ as do all the Universal Medicine students at any event.
Thank Rob, Universal Medicine definitely knows how to throw a true celebration party, and Universal Medicine students have certainly embraced what it means to have a party without abusing themselves in the name of having ‘fun’.
A party you are not drained and left feeling hangover the day after. Is that even a party… some would ask? 😉
Love it Rob. This is such a great confirmation of what a true celebration is about. Celebrating who we are through music and sharing a lovingly prepared dinner, both that confirming the equal greatness of us all, the magic that is shared when we live from our hearts, and also inspires us to feel that there is more love for us to claim and live, is a joy-filled event to behold and be part, one that truly supports our evolution together.
How beautiful to attend such joyful celebrations, where you are being held, and there is no alcohol, but pure sense love and togetherness. Loving and nourishing food.
It is rare to experience what you have described… for very few things in life leave you ‘glowing in the love that immersed you’ … as such it is a celebration absolutely worth appreciating.
I have to say I did find it hard to let down my guard and my pictures but I would love to go to one of those events now and see how I was. To take the opportunity to re-imprint previous experiences.
It is so rare and so beautiful to attend a party which honours and celebrates our true sense of self which feels inclusive of all. Pure joy!
A great blog to revisit as we approach New Year’s Eve… understanding what constitutes a true celebration is so important. Entering the next year’s cycle with a hangover, obliterating any real or meaningful self-reflection of the year gone by means we are unlikely to enter the new year with anything resembling the potential for growth or evolution.
I couldn’t agree more Jenny. Parties bring up a lot for people and when I throw a party I know that everything that unfolds as a reflection and it’s not always a reflection I want to see. Universal Medicine has shown me that true celebration is made possible through every moment that is lived before it. Party planning takes on a whole new meaning!
So true Leonne, ‘true celebration is made possible through every moment that is lived before it.’ When I understood that a celebration is a confirmation of what has already been lived, it changed everything in my approach to a party and takes any attempt to make it something out of the mix. If it’s lived, it will be present in whatever gathering comes together in honour of that, if it’s not, there is an emptiness that is present, from which we try to fill with elements that are not in truth celebratory, but harming in some way.
Having attended several similar events, I can attest to the fact that these celebrations have redefined what it means to have a party. A celebration is one where we leave feeling lifted, not one where we have to drag ourselves home or are not even sure how we got home, then wake up the next day feeling horrible. That is no celebration.
How lovely that it IS possible to celebrate in such a way that actually celebrates the whole and NOT at the expense of the individual
A real celebration in my book Rob, having attended many in a similar vein it has changed forever what I feel as a party. What I love about them is they are a celebration of the quality of relationships already shared by those attending… so it is made everything by those who attend, open, joyful and engaged with one another. The music, the food and any dress-ups merely add a bit of flavour to the mix.
I have attended many celebrations organised by the Benhayon’s that leave me just as I am… no highs or lows, not desperate for more or thinking is that it (like after many a party night in my twenties) or not wanting to go home. Just left with a clear reflection of how we can truly be together and how simple this is.
We can’t underestimate what such a party brings to the entire planet – people coming together to express their love and joy together, and in brotherhood, surely this is felt around the world, and marks a new way to celebrate together.
I have attended a lot of parties in my life but agree that the Benhayon’s throw the best parties ever, they have set a new standard for what an amazing party is.
Rob what an amazing celebration you have had – thank you so much for sharing it with us as you gave us with this sharing the possibility to feel that there is an other way of partying possible and that is so beautiful and inspiring.
“I had just attended the greatest true party celebration on planet earth.” Since then there have been many fabulous parties and balls – in the UK too. I love the way we all appreciate the costumes and dance alongside each other – connecting and celebrating who we are and how we are evolving year on year.
They are indeed a joy and always a celebration of everybody, even at weddings.
Yes Rob, I attended that party too and it was definitely a stand out, followed by many others in a similar vein. The idea that a celebration needs to include alcohol and food I would not normally choose to eat if I wanted to remain clear-headed and healthy is crazy really. Celebrating in such a way as to appreciate, confirm and expand the depth of quality I and all others are from the inside is a true celebration. The easy tell-tale is how I feel at the end of the evening too.
I am so lucky to have also participated in a few parties like that now and can join you in saying: what a joy to celebrate like this! People from all places, ages and professions celebrating themselves and each other – amazing. In fact it feels like what is celebrated is the love it self and the beauty of moving together in an expanding way.
Rob I can feel your joy as I read your blog, yes it’s amazing to celebrate this way, with no hangover from the night before only a great feeling from all the joyful shared moments a really great way to celebrate.
“at no stage did I feel self- conscious or feel any judgement, jealousy or comparison in the whole room; rather, every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.” A true celebration of life. Thank you, I could feel the joy in your words.
What you have described Rob is not heard of outside of the way of the livingness of Universal Medicine.
Music ‘celebrating the love that we truly are’. This stood out to me Rob. Having listen to lots of music, been to lots of concerts and dance parties and knowing how I felt afterwards…my body feeling exhausted and tired and sometimes in pain to how I feel after an evening such as this (which I was at), which is open, connected and filled with the joy of celebrating the love we already are.
Rob, I can feel your appreciation of everything contained in this event in your words and the joy and harmony you speak of within the group is still palpable. It seems like it set a new bench mark in how we can celebrate ourselves and our lives in a group setting and enjoy the inter-connectivity with others. Lovely!
I wasn’t there Rob, but I feel as though I was after your wonderful sharing. I have felt and experienced some wonderful events shared by the Benhayon’s and the Universal Medicine Family and they are certainly special events naturally shared without Alcohol or other stimulants, only joy and great comradeship and Love. Events to remember!
I have just come across this blog, some 2 1/2 years later and I can now share that each celebration of these types only become greater and greater. This is not because of the event as such, but because those attending and celebrating have become so much more of who they are. This is the celebration. Thank you Rob for a beautiful account of what it is to truly celebrate – it was the party I had always been looking for.
So gorgeous to read your experience on that beautiful party youve been to, it feels like a true celebration of life, and who we are, not the escape many parties are used for.
For people to understand that it actually is possible to celebrate without getting ‘ out of it’ is such a paradigms shift, that if understood, really understood, would change so much on this planet.
I’m going to have to get to the next one of them
Thank you Rob for your evocative description of a masquerade ball where people are not using masks to hide but having fun dressing up to confirm the love that they are. I love how you reflect that you were left feeling ‘an absolute stillness and joy in me. I was not ‘buzzing’, left wanting more, feeling tired or drained, simply glowing in the love that I had been immersed in.’ This event fed you in many ways and redefined celebration.
Thank you Rob for so beautifully expressing ” every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.” it definitely was out of this world.
What a party and celebration it was Rob, your beautiful expression says it all really;
“absolute joy to be dancing and expressing within a group where at no stage did I feel self- conscious or feel any judgement, jealousy or comparison in the whole room; rather, every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.”
I love these kind of parties as we get to enjoy ourselves whilst there and leave not feeling on a ‘high’ and the body does not have to pay the price the next day. Great sharing Rob, thank you!
I recall this night very well Rob, and the joy and love in this celebration was felt by all who attended.
thank you Rob, yes it really is possible now to celebrate without all the accoutrements that we used to find necessary, and I still get a kick out of a gig finishing at around 8:30 PM… This always brings a smile on my face… So different to the old days.
Thank you for sharing Rob. It sounds like a wonderful party. When we are our natural playful selves, there is no need for alcohol or mood uplifting music to be able to have fun and let go.
I recently experienced a similar party in UK when Simone Benhayon celebrated us and her birthday with an Old England Masquerade Ball. What a healing that was! Not only could we all express how much we all love Simone dearly and beyond words. It allowed me to feel how much love I feel inside for others as well. Every detail of the party was profound and could be felt for us all: the decoration, the food and the huge welcome. And about the experience of dressing up and meeting others in their costumes of other era’s I could write a blog. It felt so real and so natural like we were back in time. I moved differently and I loved feeling so big with my big wig and enormous wide dress. The pure joy and unity felt was immense.
What you’ve describe Rob sounds amazing! I have been to a few parties too organised by Universal Medicine. Sharing a beautiful experience with hundreds of people, dancing and singing is always very magical. I always leave feeling light and joyful, coming together celebrating as One is heavenly.
Thank you for sharing Rob, I can account that the celebrations I have had with Universal Medicine and the amazing people associated are truly glorious, celebrating all of us.
Now that sure sounds like an amazing party, especially because each of you were celebrated, but not for your individuality but for the unity and oneness.
I have never been to any other parties like this. This is so true Monika, it is the most amazing feeling, to celebrating each other as one and for me this is true celebration. A kind of party I don’t want to miss.
I agree Chan, to celebrate each other as one makes it a true celebration you don’t want to miss. Also because this offers appreciation, grow and healing for everyone.
This sounds like a most wonderful celebration that unfortunately I was not able to attend, but from your writing Rob, I felt as if I was there. To be able to celebrate without alcohol is something foreign to most people but the joy and the fun at these Universal Medicine events certainly shatters that belief. Great food, great music, great company and a whole lot of fun, and no hangover in the morning to suffer from for the rest of the day – now that’s my sort of party!
Sounds like the only masquerading was in the actual costumes and not in the dynamics of the party – a fact that is well worth celebrating.
A party with none of the awkwardness or altered state of being, the complete opposite of what celebration has been made into these days but as I have also experienced a Universal Medicine party it is possible. Living proof that we are worth celebrating who we truly are without alteration or stimulation.
The first time I went to an end of year celebration party at Universal Medicine it was incredible, just like Rob shared. I felt it was the most amazing celebration I had ever been to. The people and music were amazing! I left feeling joyful, light, I felt really lovely and fully celebrated. A huge contrast to how I used to feel when I went out partying previously where harmful substances and behaviours were present. I felt empty, exhausted and drained because of the late nights and the harmful energy of what I surrounded myself in. I no longer choose to attend these kinds of parties. Now I know we can choose to celebrate in a true style, like Leigh shared, without alterations or stimulation. Just simply celebrating who we are in union.
“Living proof that we are worth celebrating who we truly are without alteration or stimulation” This is a really good point as any celebrations I went to before Universal Medicine were always in an altered state, which makes no sense at all! Except that as I was not living with any sense of myself any party was a way to not feel this whereas now a celebrations is a way to confirm all we are all living:)
True celebration, being with family all of ourselves – loving every moment of it.
What a celebration! Your writing holds the joy of true celebration, thank you for sharing. I knew a good party only related to massive physical abuse in terms of drinking, drugs, deprivation of sleep, excessive dancing and the more destroyed I felt the next day the better the party was. What you share cuts totally the belief about that partying has to be at night time and endlessly long till the next morning when people need downers to get sleep from the raciness that drugs and alcohol created in them.
I love the re-imprinting, claiming and defining of partying as a loving event, where stillness is felt in people and not buzz and distraction.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Rob. I used to think a good party had to have lots of alcohol and some other substances to let ourselves go, to escape from the hard reality of daily life. What you describe here is the complete opposite – a party that leaves you in stillness and in confirmation of the love that you are – that feels absolutely amazing.
Beautiful Rob, Its indeed amazing how celebrating our love makes us truly content about a party, feeling all of who we are, being connected through a beautiful night having great fun together.
“Five hours of partying, dancing and singing and I felt an absolute stillness and joy in me. I was not ‘buzzing’, left wanting more, feeling tired or drained, simply glowing in the love that I had been immersed in today” It amazes me each time I attend a Universal Medicine event that I also feel like this and am left feeling appreciative that we have the opportunity to experience celebrating and having fun in this way. Awesome thank you for sharing, Rob.
Such a beautiful review of a magical evening, thank you Rob.
A magical evening indeed, what a beautiful and loving way to celebrate.
And that every party could be like that – a loving and warm experience to carry with you that speaks of true and clear connection to self and others. Thanks for sharing Rob.
That sounds like a truly amazing and revolutionary party! I remember the parties I used to attend when I was younger and what went on there would make me end up feeling very, very sick, sometimes for days. This simply does not make sense, how is that a good time? Great that Universal Medicine are the pioneers of living and celebrating another way, a way that TRULY feels amazing before and after.
A very beautiful appreciation Rob. I agree with you whole-heartedly that it was a joy to be a part of ‘greatest true party celebration on planet earth.’ An all-inclusive event where we are welcomed to confirm and celebrate who we ALL are equally and how we choose to live in truth the love we are. A glorious evening indeed truly celebrating ourselves and each other.
I remember this night well Rob – a glorious celebration enjoyed by so many.
In truly celebrating together we are left feeling more whole and connected than we started – so it evolves us! I always wanted this in my life, and was constantly left wanting and empty after late drama and alcohol-fuelled nights which started with expectations and a need to ‘get my fill’ – always ending with me ‘messy’ and exhausted, falling in a heap either alone in bed or with another person. This celebration that you speak of Rob was the complete opposite – no come down, no push, no exhaustion or self-abuse – it was an example of what is possible for us when we connect to our joy and love within – and share that with others. Gorgeous, and I for one look forward to more!
Thank you Sarah, what a difference it makes when we are connected, so there is a choice to evolve!
Great call Sarah – I too have spent many nights experiencing the same kind of party you describe – ending up feeling empty, lost and sad. But now I am fortunate to have experienced the party Rob beautifully recounts and he is absolutely right when he describes it as ‘the greatest true celebration on earth.’ In this comment I felt the absolute joy, celebration, and deep appreciation of knowing that I am one of a few privileged few on earth to have experienced such an event – an experience open and possible for all, as you say Sarah, ‘when we connect to our joy and love within.’
I was there on that evening and it was truly joyful and lots of fun as every celebration I have ever attended at Universal Medicine events have been before and since then. I am with you Rob they are the greatest party celebrations on Planet Earth.
Bammm… the way of the livingness ❤
I wished I could be one of this party guests – it feels amazing to read your joyful blog.
Thank you Rob, I too was there and it definately a joy to behold and to b a part of.
Universal Medicine sure knows how to throw a party!
Over the past 10 years I developed a dread for parties. I would be so anxious in the lead up to the event that I would often end up the a migraine either before during or after the party. I now know that the anxiousness was due to not feel that I could be myself in all the craziness, people drinking and losing themselves a little more with each glass, the expectations of the event being a ‘success,’ playing my role of ‘daughter,’ ‘hostess’ or appreciative guest. . .
For me, the celebrations I have attended that have been organised by Universal Medicine have completely redefined ‘celebration.’ I’ve never found myself dreading one of these events and have always walked away feeling stillness and connected to the joy of celebrating in a true way. I needed to also develop the ability to let go of my investment in the expectations of others and in so doing allow myself to attend other events without the previous habitual anxiousness but attending the Unimed celebrations has supported me in this by providing the marker of ‘true celebration.’
Thank you Rob and Kate, I absolutely agree, and another bonus for the party-goer is you do not wake up feeling hammered!
A true celebration, and indeed one that re-writes what there is to celebrate, how to celebrate, how it is possible to feel after celebrating, and how to live ones life as a celebration.
“yes, the ball was all over at around 8pm so that young and old could be home and in bed at a self-loving time” thats really cool Rob, the young and the old deserve self-loving times. Really enjoyed reading your blog as well. Must have been a fantastic celebration!
So true Rob, thank you for articulating so beautifully how so many of us experienced that celebration. The Benhayon parties are like nothing I have previously experienced.
It sounds like you had such a wonderful time Rob. Thank you for sharing.
After reading this Rob I felt like I’d been to the ball myself – thank you
What a celebration, thank you Rob.
Sounds like it was an amazing night
How awesome would it be if every party felt this awesome, and left you feeling evolved and divine, rather than emotional or exhausted.
This is definitely an amazing way to party and celebrate, true joy, true fun and a whole lot of Love. Who could ask for more!
This sounds like Planet’s new and future party scene. I can just feel the loving energy and stillness radiating from your article.
That sounds like a true celebration, thank you for sharing!
It was an extraordinary night, you have captured it beautifully.
Rob, the party sounds amazing. I could not be there but how you have described the evening feels so beautiful and delicious. As a society we get caught up in the ideals and beliefs about what a party should be-alcohol, loud music and late nights.
Universal Medicine has totally blown these ideals out of the water and reimprinted partying in a different way. I know which one I would choose to go to!
How light!
Now that’s a party. Thanks for sharing Rob.
You describe a truly great way to celebrate – no alcohol, no vying for attention, no cheap thrills or tackiness. Instead, true joy and togetherness and an amazing celebration of what we all are equally.
Yes Gabriele it is the equality and togetherness that is so deeply felt and confirming.
I agree Rob – these celebrations are the best way to PARTY. I recently celebrated my 18th birthday and my birthday landed on one of the days of the Universal Medicine Retreat and happened to be the night of the celebration. People were saying to me that I must be looking forward to turning 18 to go up town in the city of Gold Coast and party but that’s not my kind of party… no way… My kind of party and celebration is definitely what you have described here and checking out and getting drunk with alcohol does not even come close to the joy of celebrating the loving way.
Rob a beautiful account of the Masquerade Ball. It made me wish that I too could have attended.
Beautiful Rob!! The mask is usually a symbol of hiding but in this case there was not. I was not there but from your words it is not hard to grasp that it was about openly sharing the love we are.
Heaven on Earth ✨
I totally agree this does sound exactly like heaven on earth and I hope that one day all parties on earth will eventually end up being like this true celebration.
And it’s here to stay and celebrate.
Rob you have managed through your words to really convey to us how incredible that party was. I received the energy and it felt amazing. We are heading back to a time when the whole of life is going to be a celebration ! Shopping, walking down the street, washing the car, every-thing that we do will be a celebration of love with God. I for one have my party hat on already x
I love this, it totally redefines what celebrating is about. You have summed it up beautifully here “I was not ‘buzzing’, left wanting more, feeling tired or drained, simply glowing in the love that I had been immersed in today” – this is true celebration.
Move over ‘Big Day Outs’, here’s something worth really celebrating.
Thank you for sharing what true celebration is Rob … There’s no hangover to speak of, no parts of the night you forgot in a drunken/drug/sugar fused haze, simply the joy of connecting to love which becomes a marker for how we can be in every moment of our day.
Brings such a smile to my face Rob, reading your blog here. I also attended the Masquerade Ball you have described – a true and awesome celebration! Loved every minute and that so many could gather and unite in the joy of being together, and celebrating all that we are.
Thank you Rob, you took me back to that night and I could feel the joy of it all again, it was a wonderful evening celebrating the true love that we are.
That was cool Rob, and without the exhaustion hang over, fancy that.
Cheers Rob, I can feel how truly amazing it was just by reading what you have written.
Gorgeous
Thank you for sharing your experiences of this celebration, I love celebrations of the Love and Joy that we are. Nothing more is needed.
Sounds like a amazing party, a party to allow everyone to feel their glory. I love that part on leaving and not wanting more. The party was so complete for you, you felt complete.
Sounds like the kind of party celebration to be at. How many times I have been out and met people in crowded bars or restaurants, only to be yelling about the music or chatter, having vacuous conversations, only to go home feeling imposed upon, tire,d and wishing I hadn’t gone in the first place!? I did attend this ball and it was amazing beyond words.
Why does society use every manner of stimulant to create a party atmosphere when your blog clearly shows that love is all you need?!
Beautifully described celebration of the love of God on earth.
What an awesome night you’ve described, Rob….”more like angels than people” all celebrating the love we all are. I relate to that feeling of stillness you experienced after the event, as it was complete with no desire for more, no buzz at all. I LOVE feeling this way!! I’ve felt exactly the same way after the celebration evenings at the end of Universal Medicine retreats, even though it concludes early enough for us to go to bed at a loving time. The complete lack of rah-rah and hype is so refreshing, yet for me now, is the only way to truly celebrate. Thanks for a beautiful read.
This is my kind of night out…in fact I was there! I love that I can go out for a night out and not have alcohol, feel the same when I get home as when I left, and wake up in the morning feeling great. No hangover. No feeling tired from lack of sleep. No wondering whether I did or said anything silly (as was the case in my alcohol fuelled party days). Just good clean fun with gorgeous friends. That is my kind of night out.
How wonderful to be at a party and really have a great time with no need for alcohol, drugs or pumping music to heighten your emotions. This is a true celebration and coming together of people to express themselves and appreciate each other without the usual dynamic of trying to look or be a certain way to impress. As you say “absolute joy to be dancing and expressing within a group where at no stage did I feel self- conscious or feel any judgement, jealousy or comparison in the whole room; rather, every time I looked around the hall, I saw play-fullness, grace and joy.” Now that’s the sort of party for me.
Me too Rachel what felt so lovely was that the party was a true celebration, we often call parties a celebration but they rarely are in my experience. Kids know how to play and celebrate / party without needing all the “party” stuff we “adults” do. It’s made me consider when we throw birthday parties for kids or adult parties – where do the ideas come from that it has to be full of Sugar, Drinks, or maybe even Drugs etc? I know that was what I thought a party was all about, although I can’t think where that idea came from.
Thank you Rob for sharing and inviting us all to feel the joy of the celebration.
I have done the clubbing and drinking ’til dawn and never did I wake up feeling great the morning after. My experience with the Universal Medicine celebrations is that we are truly celebrating without numbing / checking out. It feels so amazing, not because we are celebrating but because we are connected to ourselves and each other. This openness is to be treasured because I have not seen it anywhere else.
Yes, exactly Doug. My understanding of what ‘fun’ is has changed drastically. It’s astounding how one is labelled as being boring if you don’t drink. I realise now that it would make sense to think that because if you are not feeling inherently joyful – which needs to be there to have real fun – one of the few ways to feel something is to drink alcohol and we have learned to call that the feeling of letting go i.e. giving ourselves permission to not keep controlling every situation, as fun.
What a beautiful magical time you, and all those attending, had at the masquerade ball…. a true celebration of love. Thank you Rob for sharing the evening with us through your blog.
Absolutely Rob and this is the experience when we celebrate who we are with the Benhayon family. I love that you shared that you were not left wanting more, that’s exactly what I shared this weekend after a celebration concert with the Benhayons. I left with the feeling of: that’s it, this is who I am, with a feeling of great strength in my body and a clarity about how I will live my life going forward.
Rob thank you for sharing that there is a different way to celebrate that does not involve harming yourself. When most parties involve some kind of alcohol, indulgence or self abuse – your story is very refreshing.
Thank you Rob for sharing with us the most amazing party you participated in. I could feel the Joy in your blog with delicious food, Glorious Music, true connection and love. Natalie, Curtis, Michael and Emmalee Benhayon were here setting a new standard for partying. That’s my kind of party !
A delightful account to read about an amazing party, which clearly shows there is a way to celebrate without the body having to pay the price afterwards or the next day. Thank you Rob for sharing with everyone 🙂
I love how you said redefining what it is to celebrate, in my experience there can be so many beliefs around what is needed for this, all getting in the way of the simple enjoyment of yourself and being with others.
Great article Rob, it sounds like an amazing event and fun was had by all. Your description is so full of life it feels like I was there. It just goes to show you don’t need alcohol to have a good time.
“….all comfortably looking into each others’ eyes without reservation”
This is heaven to read and picture. Seldom, if ever, do we witness people, even close friends and family able to do this. The openness and intimacy this reveals shows how much love everyone holds each other in and with – that is divine.
I agree Jenny it is very rare. Thank you Rob for sharing your experience and how you were left feeling afterwards which shows what a great celebration it was.
Rob, thank you for sharing this. It sounds as though you were literally ‘In Heaven’!
The conventional feeling after such a party like that is always a very “down” feeling and that the rest of life doesn’t meet the standard of what you have just attended, whereas here you present there could be another way.
It sounds truly Divine I would have loved to have been there.
Thank you for sharing Rob Skinner and giving me a clear account of the greatest party on earth. What a blessing to be a part of this celebration.
What I loved was the clear detail in which you describe the food, the people and the music. I have the albums from Glorious Music and it really has been a huge support for me as I play it everyday. I love it and the words are very powerful.
I was not there but for me this is a template of how true celebration can be for all of us.
I have in the past hosted many parties and alcohol + wanting more of everything in complete indulgence was the common thread everytime.
Today I cannot imagine a party without the absolute Love that you talk about in this blog. It makes sense and there is no other way for me now.
This blog says it all. It was a joyous celebration where no one was trying to outdo anyone in what they wore, in conversation, or how they moved to the music. You can’t get anything more loving than that!
Thank you Rob – it was the greatest party celebration on earth! You beautifully covered things I also observed and felt throughout the evening. Truly wonderfully shared.
Rob, this for me also was a great marker. After years of ‘celebrating’ (read escaping from life through ‘goodtimes’ that were merely drunken, drugged up benders), this event was a revelation. It was as if everyone there was my family, true family and we were all connected by the fact that we are truly amazing and ONE. This was significant and will stay with me forever.
I agree Rob, it was a wonderful night… and when the full lights came back on after all the celebrations, everyone still looked fantastic (which was quite different to the balls I have attended in the past).
Yes, Rob, and you know you aren’t going to wake up with a hangover after one of these parties so need to waste time recovering, on with the day.
A great account of the greatest true party celebration on planet earth Rob.
I agree it was a night that truly reflected the beauty we have within.