In all the years I have been practising meditation, I’ve been on dozens of retreats. All of them different.
Different locations.
Different themes.
Different formats.
Different teachers.
But there are common themes that have emerged over time that have made me fall in love with retreats. Here’s my top 5.
1. You notice how much you have been carrying.
We scramble through each day, dealing with whatever gets thrown at us. We get through it all as best we can. But there’s a cumulative effect of carrying stress in our bodies. The impact of a dysregulated nervous system over time is hard to notice until you stop. When you stop, the weight is palpable and a bit shocking.
2. Being in silence feels awkward – and then amazing.
I still remember the feeling of my first silent retreat. I was uncomfortable. It felt like I was in trouble. It was weird not to make small talk and share superficial pleasantries with the other retreat guests. I wanted to ask about their work and families and where they got their nice hiking boots. But after a while, the awkwardness dissolved and could actually hear my own heart again. The obligations of chit chat were taken away and it was pure bliss.
3. It’s hard to slow down.
If I had not booked and paid for a retreat I wouldn’t stop. I need the formal container of a retreat to help me to slow down. A retreat provides the ideal conditions that support coming back into balance. Without this, the gravitational pull of life’s responsibilities and obligations is too strong to stop and rest fully.
It’s easy to keep running, but it takes intention and courage to rest.
4. Everyone is struggling with something.
I have learnt that my problems are not more or less difficult than anyone else’s. We are all wrestling with something that feels big. Retreats provide a safe space for us to acknowledge what we are carrying and to let go of our white knuckle grip on finding solutions. And when we do, it’s amazing what answers emerge to even the most complex problems.
5. I never regret it.
There’s always a frenzy before going on a retreat.
“Just one more thing to tick off the list before I go. Perhaps I’ll cancel? I don’t have time for this right now. I wish I didn’t book this. What was I thinking?”
The manic behaviour before every retreat always shows up. But I know that the outcome is always the same if I just show up. There is ALWAYS wisdom to be found in stillness and silence and rest and I have never regretted going on one.
Retreats have changed my life and I hope to one day experience a whole year on retreat.
