A one-hour at-home retreat to get in touch with yourself

I hope you enjoyed last week’s post on how to design a personal retreat. Please read that first if you haven’t already – I’ll be waiting right here!

As promised, here’s a one hour personal at-home retreat plan that you can try out at home. This is a plan that I have used and enjoyed many times. It’s adapted from The Woman’s Retreat Book by Jennifer Louden – it’s an excellent guide to creating retreats, so if this is an area that interests you, I highly recommend this book.

A one hour personal at home retreat to tap into your current knowing and inner wisdom

Taking a personal at-home retreat: The tools

A journal and pen

Something soothing {suggestions: jasmine tea, a favourite poem, soul-stirring music, flowers, scented candles}

A quiet space where you will not be disturbed for at least an hour

NO phone, laptop, novels – nothing to distract you from this time.

Taking a personal at-home retreat: The structure

Read through this entire section carefully so that you can plan your retreat. You don’t want to realize that you’re missing something in the middle of this session.

Set your intention (see the questions in A guide to creating a personal retreat)

Create a brief opening ceremony (see the suggestions under creating sacred space in A guide to creating a personal retreat)

Keep your journal handy as you do the following exercise:

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

Imagine that you’re in a forest by the stream…it is a safe and sheltered space…it’s where you come to speak to your higher self, to your guides, to God, whoever you choose to see here…whatever makes you comfortable. Imagine looking into the loving eyes of this higher self, feel the warmth, the energy flowing through you. When you’re ready, the image gently asks you – “where are you in your life right now”?

Whatever images, feelings, sensations or thoughts arise are perfect. Don’t edit them. Thank your higher self/guide/Divine, and gently come back to your body…but don’t fully open your eyes…keep them soft (or half open), and start to draw or write whatever you saw or felt during the visualization, any thoughts and sensations that came up. Again, do not edit, do not over think…just write/draw.

Once you’re done, take a little break to do something soothing – have a cup of warm tea, read a poem, light some candles, and just sit with the thoughts and images that arose during the visualization.

Then look at the answers you received from the visualization and imagine that these answers have come up for your best friend, or someone you care about deeply. What insights or connection do you see? What wisdom or words do you have to offer? Write it down.

If you have some more time, you can do something else to sooth yourself. If you’re running out of time, just take a few deep breaths, center yourself, and offer up a prayer of gratitude for the insights that you received.

Make sure that you do a small closing ritual. Choose a mantra or statement that will help you remember what you felt and experienced during the retreat. Repeat this to yourself in the hours and days following the retreat.

I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to modify or tweak it as you wish, but remember that all four elements should be included if you are to have the best possible experience.

I’d love to hear how this goes for you – do drop me a comment if you try this out. And tell me what you think of this exercise!

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Modern Gypsy

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I’m an artist and art educator, podcaster, tarot reader, and writer. I share my discoveries along the path to inspire you to live a more creative, soul-centered life. Receive my love letters for more of my musings on life and creativity. P.S. I love Instagram - join me there?

31 Comments

  14. This is beautiful. I spent some time doing this exercise and it was amazing. I felt so at peace and also excited for my future, thank you #mg

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