LISA LEVINE — Soul Safari

Jewelry designer turned acupuncturist and reiki master Lisa Levine founded Brooklyn’s Maha Rose Center for Healing in 2013. What began as small-scale meditation circles in Lisa’s studio has flourished into a community oasis for alternative healing and has also produced a Catskills outpost, Maha Rose North. Both spaces are a physical manifestation of the heart-led transition that Lisa embarked on in 2008, as she grew weary of the fashion industry and awakened to a calling to heal. Today, Lisa spends her days managing the business, teaching, and creating art while moving with the seasons from Brooklyn to Upstate New York, and Mexico.

"Let the person you thought you were die and allow something new to be born. It only gets better and surrendering to the process makes it easier and more fun."

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What was the pivot point that set you on your current path?

In 2007 I began meditating and practising yoga. I met my teacher Amma and plugged deeper into my connection to the Universe and my newly evolving place in it. I closed my jewelry business and shop. I deepened my studies of reiki, massage and breathwork and began to offer workshops and sessions. Maha Rose's name came through and the offerings increased. I'm still there leading many of those things, but the team has grown and I also spend time upstate with my husband and son, teaching, creating art and some jewelry when I can, and navigating the administrative side of a spiritual business.

Photo: Selenite, hands and alebrijes

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s going through their own transformation or reinvention?

Go for it! Let the person you thought you were die and allow something new to be born. It only gets better and surrendering to the process makes it easier and more fun.

Photo: At Maha Rose with my new babe

Where in the world would you describe as the place that speaks to you - your soul place?

More and more it is an internal place. There are beautiful places in the world that I connect to, but the most beautiful places are inside. That said, I love creating spaces and Maha Rose is that external portrait of the inner heart.

Are you following the path of a trailblazer or being guided by a mentor?

I'm very much guided by my teacher Amma, although that is mostly an internal process that is so closely entwined with my own heart sometimes I can't tell who is who. Ultimately, they are the same thing - heart and heart. Love leading love. I just pray to be clear enough to hear the subtle voices and strong enough to follow what they say.

Photo: Pacific Ocean, Mazunte Mexico

If you could do anything, what in the world would you want to do next?

Exactly the plans I've already made - we're going to Mexico for two months this winter. I'll be leading a healing retreat, teaching a Reiki Masters course and communing with Spirit, sea and sun.

All images used with permission from Lisa Levine.