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Retreat

Progress is sometimes not about walking, but about daring to turn inward.

2/26/20262 min read

Have you ever felt an inexplicable longing for your true self? A yearning, an inner pull, for your real, inner voice, suppressed by the noise of your daily life?

Sometimes in life, there are moments when you want to escape the rush, get away from the chaos outside, and find inner healing. If you feel this way, you might consider a spiritual retreat – a kind of inner quest or break – to rediscover who you are at your core.

So, what is a spiritual retreat?

A spiritual retreat is a specific period of time, usually in quiet and secluded places, where individuals or groups engage in inner activities aimed at personal growth and spiritual renewal. These retreats may include activities such as meditation, yoga, and teachings from holistic healers. The ultimate goal is to enable one to establish a deeper connection with oneself, others, and transcendence.

Understanding Spiritual Retreats

A spiritual retreat is a period of time spent away from one's normal life, dedicated to reconnecting with the divine, the universe, or one's inner self, to renew and deepen one's relationship. These retreats provide a sanctuary for introspection, meditation, or yoga. Whether individuals participate in groups or individually, the ultimate goal of a spiritual retreat is to promote mental clarity, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening.

Spiritual practices are closely related to the concept of holistic healing; this form of healing addresses the individual as a whole – body/mind and spirit – on the path to achieving optimal health and well-being. The calm and supportive environment of a retreat center promotes a state of peace and relaxation, further activating the body's natural healing processes.

People turn to spiritual retreats at various stages of their lives, often when they feel overwhelmed or lost. For example, a person might choose to attend a spiritual retreat during a personal crisis or period of mourning. Others might go on a retreat when they are overwhelmed by their nine-to-five work life. Some people choose to retreat during significant transitional periods such as divorce, retirement, or empty nest syndrome. Finally, those grappling with existential questions or seeking spiritual enlightenment may be drawn to the guidance and community that spiritual retreats can offer. Tip: The pursuit of spiritual enlightenment can help you find answers to some of life's greatest existential questions.

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Progress is sometimes not about walking, but about daring to turn inward. It's about realizing, "The wind is the same, the water is the same, but I am no longer the same."

To become aware of what is within ourselves, we need:
The peace of the Path,
The Master's guidance in change,
The courage of the Companions.

Because breaking cycles happens through awareness, and the moment you become aware, healing has already begun.

As we always say: "Every experience that intersects with your life comes to teach you the lesson you most need to rise to the next platform in your life. The teacher always appears when the student is ready."

"Change never comes from the outside. It doesn't come from a book, from a teacher, or from a Guru. Change only comes from within you, from your essence, and it happens when you are ready."
Stefano D'anna

The secret:
The lesson comes when the ego is ready,
The teacher comes when the soul is ready/willing.

First, it is necessary to loosen one's ego, and then, step by step, to detach oneself from the ego. This is where the difference between personal development/change/transformation lies.