Today we tend to want to do everything too quickly. We no longer take the time to do things that please us, we don't even take the time to wonder what pleases us anymore. But fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of this and are seeking to find inner peace, to relearn how to take time and take care of themselves. One way to do this is sometimes to make a sudden break with the world and the pace of everyday life by practicing a spiritual retreat.
This is a chosen moment to retreat into oneself in a calm place, to cut ties with old habits, ways of doing things, and seeing things. This practice has existed for a long time in many religions, particularly among Hindus, Christians, Jews, and Buddhists, but it can also be practiced outside of this context. It can last as long as desired and needed, ranging from a few days to a few weeks or even months.
This moment of calm, of pause, serves in particular for reflection, meditation, and awareness. It allows us to take the time to do things that we no longer took the time to do, to cleanse our soul, to turn towards our thoughts, to observe our heart, and to heal our inner wounds as well. Going on a spiritual retreat allows us to refocus on what is important, to reconnect the links between our body and mind, to break sometimes harmful habits and create new ones while recharging our batteries.
It can be a religious retreat, in which case prayer will be on the agenda, but you can practice any activity that will allow you to reconnect body and mind. This can be yoga, meditation, fasting, writing, or even doing nothing at all. There is no mandatory list of activities to do because the goal is to do what your heart and mind desire in order to bring them joy and comfort. If you need to cry, do it. If you want to sing, do it. The goal is to act with full awareness, in peace, and to focus on beautiful and soothing things for the mind (such as reading, images, music).
There is no particular preparation. The most important thing is to feel ready, have a desire for change, be mentally available, and/or feel the need to reconnect with oneself. It is also necessary to accept cutting off all forms of communication during this time, whether it be by phone, internet, or other means. Retreats often even take place in silence, but it is not obligatory, and sometimes you may even be offered to listen to lectures and engage in vocal spiritual exercises.
When you feel the need. There is no schedule or mandatory dates. If you choose to do it, it's because you feel ready and you need and want it.
There are many places in France and abroad that offer organized retreats. A spiritual retreat is often practiced in a religious establishment, but it can also take place in a rustic village, a small country inn, a mansion, or a mountain chalet. The criteria for choosing your location are: calmness, silence, beauty, and nature. Indeed, these are important elements for practicing introspection and reconnecting with your spirituality.
Yes, it is not necessary to travel to the other side of the world or to a holy place to retreat. It can be practiced at home. All you need to do is disconnect from external communication devices and prepare everything you need so that you don't have to leave your house, otherwise you will break the magic of your internal reflection. This moment should be filled with silence, emptiness, and calmness so that you can connect with your inner self, with your often neglected spiritual part.
If you choose to organize it at home, gather candles, beautiful quotes, beautiful texts, beautiful paintings, drawings, salt lamps, incense, comfortable clothes, and make sure to turn off your phones and the doorbell.