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.
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!
I will definitely need to get back to you on this after trying it out. Heaven knows I need it. Been going through a low phase for awhile…
My Science-Defying Strawberry Milkshake
Oh dear – I hope you feel better soon! And do get back to me once you try this; I’d love to hear how it went for you!
I love this…I think I am going to try this, this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome – I hope you enjoyed it!
All set to try on
Excellent! Do let me know how it goes!!
Ah !!need this the most. . Should cut of all gadgets first as the means of distraction.then draw myself I to my own sensations….?
Happy retreating! 🙂
getting rid of all gadgets? And books too! This’ll need some practise.
It’s just for an hour 😉
I’m so badly in need of a break that I’m going to try this ASAP. Seriously hoping it works out for me. God knows how badly I need it.
Do tell me how it goes for you!!
Personal retreats are so great especially when you let your heart lead you. What a good idea for spending Valentine’s Day with yourself.
They are great! And some of the insights you get are really special!
I do this every once in a while and I call it a date with myself, Shinjini. I love how you have described it. I will probably make a date next week. Hugs!
Dates with yourself are so needed, aren’t they?
Bookmarking this to try in the future!
Yay! Hope you like it – do let me know how it goes. 🙂
I like this idea but I’m worried I might not like the answers to the questions! lol
lol! But that is what can bring about a transformation. 😉
Even reading it made me feel more relaxed and peaceful. Can I take out time to do it? Am not sure in this phase of life. I am intrigued about the visualizations, though.
I hope you can! When the kiddo is at school, maybe?
I will definitely do this once I get back from my vacation. Now, I am just excited 🙂
Awesome! Do let me know how it goes for you 🙂
Awesome idea 🙂
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
I’m so glad that you tried this out and it worked well for you!!
That sounds very unique and interesting. I would love to try that out.
Oh, do! And do tell me how it goes for you!!
I am too tempted to do this.
Please do, and tell me how it goes!