What is a retreat and why is it necessary?

Dear reader, we present to you our beauty columnist Inessa Tsarkova.

Inessa is an active nutritionist, gastroenterologist, therapist, naturopath and aromatherapist, health coach, integrative medicine doctor with a holistic approach. And now he will share with us his knowledge in the field of both physical and mental health, nutrition and much more. In today’s article, we will talk about the trendy retreats that many people have started to prefer over traditional holiday options.

Inessa Tsarkova

The world is changing rapidly. With each passing year, the planet’s vibrations and solar activity increase. A new time of transformation and humanity is coming: material values ​​are being replaced by spiritual values, more and more people are “waking up”, moving to a higher level of consciousness. This state is reminiscent of “emerging” from the ocean of everyday worries, anxieties and fuss when you discover a beautiful, bright and full world above its surface. At the same time, a person ceases to be constantly under the power of the mind and begins to understand that he is more than a material body, personality and even consciousness, he begins to feel himself as a spiritual principle, a part of the universe. . At this time, one’s perception of the world is changing and a reassessment of values ​​​​occurs. He can no longer live the way he used to. The awakening person begins to feel like a part of the universe and draws information and energy from there. The cause-effect relationships of all occurring events become clear to him. He begins to hear and realize the true desires of his inner “self” and his purpose in this life. And it is precisely the transformation of consciousness that retreat can help.

History of retreats

The word “withdrawal” is translated from English as “withdrawal”, “withdrawal from society” and “loneliness”. There is a word “hermit” in Russian that is similar in meaning. Since time immemorial, such practices in the retreat format (solitude, contemplation and self-absorption) have been used by spiritual teachers: Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in his practices of Vassa (solitude in the rainy season) and Vipassana (practices). “Penetrated vision” – seeing reality as it is), the Sufi teacher Ibn Arabi in his guide to journeys within oneself “The Message of Light”, during Jesus’ 40-day retreat in the desert. It is believed that the word “retreat” in the sense of spiritual practices first appeared in 1522 in the writings of the Catholic priest Ignatius de Loyola in the collection “Spiritual Exercises” instructions for contemplation, prayer and reflection in silence and solitude.

There are many types of retreats today. They can be individual or collective, “silent” or silent (when complete silence is implied during retreat), with the exclusion of all sources of information (phones, computers, televisions, music and books), or even “dark” (realized). in complete darkness and silence). Most often, retreats take place from their usual location, away from cities and settlements, surrounded by nature (in forests, mountains, on the beach). After all, the purpose of the retreat is to change the situation, to return to the roots, to natural landscapes and to get away from society and civilization with all their “benefits”. A variety of spiritual practices and meditations are used during retreats: they can be seated or moving, combined with bodily practices (in yoga retreats) or composed solely of spiritual practices (for example, Vipassana). Retreats can be based on ancient teachings and take place with a clear structure and discipline, or they can be original and include a variety of techniques and techniques aimed at healing the body as well as awakening and enlightenment. These are techniques mastered and practiced by the author himself (spiritual teacher or mentor) and formed by him into a certain structure.

The advantage of collective retreats lies not only in the guidance of an experienced, enlightened guide (teacher) with a system proven in practice, but also in the presence of awakened curators (instructors), as well as like-minded people who jointly create creative ideas. A special, very powerful energy field in which all transformation processes occur much faster and more successfully.

How can I distinguish a withdrawal from an away event?

A true retreat requires the presence of three components.

Privacy

Rejection of external sources of information

spiritual practices

What can retreat practices be used for?

First, for the feeling of complete reboot and relaxation (as if returning the body and mind to “factory settings”, getting rid of negative and toxic programs, chronic stress). Secondly, as a result of solitude, slowing down and spiritual practices, a very high-quality restoration of health occurs (a large amount of energy is released, which was spent on negative emotions and tension, and begins to be used for healing and restoration). body). Thirdly, there is the transformation of consciousness and the acquisition of awareness, clarity and a new deep vision of what is happening, information is perceived directly from the universal source, which greatly changes the situation and life of people.

Great people knew and appreciated these practices. For example, the famous inventor Nikola Tesla used loneliness and silence in his writings: “The mind becomes sharper in constant solitude. You don’t need a big laboratory to think and invent. Ideas are born in conditions where the mind is not influenced by external factors.”

And finally, during retreats, consciousness awakens and enlightens, a connection is established with oneself, with the inner “I”, internal support appears, a person begins to feel like a part of the universe, the ability to control his emotions and even influence events and circumstances appears, all the ability to become co-creators of life processes.

How to choose the right resting place?

For beginners, it is better to choose yoga retreats that are lighter in structure and content. They combine spiritual practices with yoga asanas and light nutrition. Often such retreats include additional activities such as breathing practices, self-massage and body cleansing techniques, culinary master classes, walks and walks, sound or art therapy. These and many other practices help you reset and reduce stress, take a deep look at yourself, ask your inner self questions and hear the answers.

As a rule, retreats last from 3 to 10 days or more. There are both one-day retreats and online retreats (but these are generally less effective). In fact, for the transformation process, it is important to use these techniques as long and as often as possible, to maintain awareness and change your habitual thoughts, situations, decisions and actions.

More complex retreat formats are also suitable for experienced practitioners: with strict discipline, maximum exclusion of external sources of information (silence practices or even pseudo-dark retreats taking place in absolute darkness and silence), deeper and longer meditations. This is a type of retreat, such as Vipassana. There are two versions of this: according to Mahasi Sayadaw, which combines sitting and walking meditation, and according to Satya Narayan Goenka, which includes only sitting meditation and prohibits all bodily practices.

My dear reader, it is time to engage in your spiritual development. In the changing living conditions around the world, this is not just a recommendation, but a necessity. Today, it is retreats that can help launch this path of consciousness transformation and serve as a “breath of fresh air” for modern people, overloaded with the information noise of cities, under constant stress and mental overload, tired and lacking in energy. Anxiety and worry are gradually losing your health day by day.

As a result, humanity is forced to resort to non-ecological methods to reduce anxiety and relax: overeating, social networks, computer games, alcohol, drugs and antidepressants.

Modern people often lack inspiration and life energy, live with emotional exhaustion and lack of joy and inspiration from life, are confused and empty, do not understand where they are going and what is the meaning of their life.

Friends, choose your retreat and begin this fascinating and rewarding way of learning about yourself and this beautiful world.

After all, the state of “happiness” is when you are with “a part of yourself, the real one.”