Deepening Our Experience Of Life

Who would’ve known that by attending a fund raiser on a cold evening in March ten years ago, was about to be the catalyst for spiritual growth and self discovery. That evening as I casually walked passed several tables with items to bid on, something caught my eye as I looked down directly in front of me. It read, ‘A weekend stay at Clare’s Well Retreat Center’. . I actually had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I could think about was having the break I so desperately needed. And it was so much more than that. I arrived at the center and met the women who lived there, three nuns who just seemed very friendly, kind and casual. They went by their first names and they dressed in normal everyday clothes, normal that is for cooking, gardening and tending to the farm animals. As I entered the hermitage cabin, I noticed the rustic, simplicity yet it was warm and welcoming. The walls adorned with articles from several diverse faiths, upholding the message that “All are welcome here”. I felt only acceptance, there was no judgment here. A desk with papers and colored pencils laid out, were offering permission to play. In a quiet corner, a pillow, candle and incense were an invitation to pray and meditate. A book left behind by the last wayfarer, spoke to my curiosities was soon to be understood as the next lesson plan. That entire weekend seemed surreal, so synchronistic. I would hold a question in my mind and open a book at random and there would be the answer or someone would share something during mealtime that would be exactly what I needed to hear. Everywhere I turned felt like something bigger than I was reaching deep down inside of me as if it wanted to show me something, a part of me that I had not known before. I later realized it was my own soul that was leading me back home! For the first time in my life I felt like I was truly home! What an incredible experience to discover that there, deep inside of me was the most sacred place ever imagined.nThe poetic words from Thicht Naht Hanh best describe those feelings, “I have arrived, I am home, In the here, In the now, I am solid, I am free, In the ultimate I dwell.” I was truly becoming conscious of living, of who I really was and my soul’s purpose. I was slowly discovering that up until then I had been unconsciously living as in a very deep sleep.nnHow often do people take time to be in the magic like this? To allow for the present moment to speak so personally, so intimately and to be touched so deeply that our perception of who we are and what we are all about is completely transformed forever. Retreat has been defined as “The act of withdrawing, seclusion, a safe place; a refuge, abode, a period of time set aside for spiritual practices i.e. meditation.” So simply stated it is an action, a location and an experiential state. It has been and still is very evident to me that through the experience of retreat one can evolve to be more profoundly conscious than through any other state or experience. Waking up becoming more conscious is an integral component of our journey. nnIs it possible to evolve while being less conscious? Well yes, however that experience is much likened to driving around in bumper cars blindfolded. Living with out awareness feels more like randomly bumping into life experiences, one after the other. The laws of attraction are always at play whether we are totally conscious of our intentions or completely unconscious of our hidden agendas. So think about it which would you prefer? Take all the time you need… Good, I thought so. Becoming conscious is a big step in mans evolution and the exploration of discovering self will keep you busy indefinitely. That’s right there is no limit. You will never get bored. There is always more. Just when you think you know who you are, life will nudge you out of the nest and force you to take flight. n“The deeper I go inside, the higher my spirit soars. Life is the infinite journey, the endless path. Love, joy, laughter, release, truth, wisdom and peace are my companions for the journey.” So move deep into the valleys and climb the heights of every mountaintop. Look and see how far you’ve come. What events have led you to this present moment in time? Gather all that wisdom that you’ve attained. Celebrate your wisdom and share it with others before you move on. Then turn to look into your future. What have you yet to accomplish, to encounter? There are still endless lessons yet to be explored. Remember the deeper you go inside the higher your spirit soars. And the best thing of all is that when you’re more conscious you have more power to direct your own course. Where will you go next? What are your intentions? Remember there are no set rules, just that you continue your infinite journey, grow and understand who you really are, set your own pace and enjoy the ride! nLet’s go on a retreat! Where you ask? Well let’s talk about the many ways one can go on retreat and how to make it the most enjoyable experience. nFirst of all I think it’s important to address that not everyone is ready to have their first retreat be self-directed. However there are ways that will help you begin that process where eventually self-direction is all you’ll ever need. Imagine the process much like a pendulum that first begins its movements as large sweeping motions till it gradually creates smaller movements and finally becomes still. So too is the process of stilling your body and your mind. And sometimes we need helpers along the way.nnFacilitated Retreats are retreats where a guide is there to assist people by providing personal or spiritual growth and development courses in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Familiar topics commonly include; Journaling, Dream Interpretation, Self exploration of values, beliefs and unconscious intentions, Meditation, Movement, Art therapy and Creative expression of our inner wisdom, etc.. The topics are always interesting and the interaction with facilitator and other participants are often welcoming to a novice. There is also enough quiet introspective time to begin the process of slowing down. And the new skills one learns will be useful for the rest of one’s life. Meeting other like-minded individuals with the possibilities of forming new friendships are always a plus too.nnSpa Retreats are places to retreat to that start with a total immersion of proper care for the body and the mind. The main focus here is r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g. Classes like yoga, polates, tai chi, qigong and transcendental meditation are offered to help you get on the right foot by practicing good healthy habits to bring home. Of course what would your stay be like there if you didn’t have a rejuvenating massage or Asian bodywork treatment or aromatherapy wraps. Simple organic cuisine and fresh fruit and vegetable juicing are usually available, a vegetarian’s dream. nnHow about the Monastic Retreat? This is where religious cloistered communities open up their home to the layperson, offering a temporary experience of the monastic life. Silent retreats, fasting, prayer and meditation are common spiritual practices there. Intentional prayer centered living may be just what is needed to regain a new perspective on life and discover the sacred in the simplest of practices. nnHealing Retreats offer a tranquil healing environment that supports the whole person who is experiencing health challenges. This kind of retreat applies many of the other practices earlier mentioned ie. organic meals, juicing, meditation, movement, guidance in self-discovery etc. however the key focus here is deep healing. This innovative mind/body/soul approach has been gaining popularity all over the world in recent years. And its presence will very likely change the way medicine is practiced here in this country within the next decade. The concept of addressing illness through changing lifestyle habits and immersing oneself in new healthy practices, added with the support of receiving constant daily holistic care is only new to this country. Eastern countries have long relied on traditional folk medicine to heal their sick and have a proven success record through out their history. Healing retreats truly support balance and well-being.nnSelf-Directed RetreatsnLastly there are retreat centers that have no set programs or schedules, except for meals. One can certainly create retreat for them selves any where however, attending a special place that is intended for retreat offers the security of shelter, healthy nourishment and a tranquil environment that is not always easy to find in the outside world. One has the freedom and space to allow for the magic to happen, for spirit to lead you back home. Where deep intimate communication is resurrected, self-discovery is limitless and is the sanctuary for each and every one of us. Wherever you choose to go to find refuge give yourself time to attend to the needs of the body first. Spend an entire day or even longer just doing self-care, sleep in, choose only healthy food, receive massage or energywork, practice tai chi or yoga. Listen to and honor your body’s intelligence. Then when the body’s needs have been satisfied turn your awareness to nature, to sounds, to encounters with all of creation and be the observer of life. Recognize the uniqueness in how spirit is communicating with you. Soon you will discover your own brilliant light. When it happens dare to accept it as who you really are and then celebrate it. Life is the infinite journey the endless path! Enjoy the ride!n