BLOG
A Winter's Retreat
December 6, 2023
“You are also asking me questions and I hear you, I answer that I cannot answer, you must find out for yourself.”
Walt Whitman
- The holiday season is here and I am ready! The tree is decorated, gifts ready for wrapping, favorite movies in the queue, ingredients purchased for homemade cookies and other culinary delights. Preparations have been effortless, which I attribute to a “Christmas wish” I made months ago to extend my annual end-of-year retreat from a few days to a several weeks.
- It may sound crazy to spend most of the winter at my “summer cottage” in an area where the annual snowfall averages 154 inches – and in fact, this past week I’ve taken steps to “winterize” the cottage and stock the cupboards.
- Some friends still look at me with puzzled expressions until I tell them how I imagine myself happily hermitizing: shoveling snow (for exercise!), building blanket forts indoors to cozy up with my fur baby, sipping hot beverages, wearing out my favorite wool sweater, but mostly, trekking deep into the woods and writing.
- Certain creative ideas have been darting about for years, and it’s time to capture them on the page. I am grateful for the wherewithal to begin this quest. A place in which I can fully immerse myself. Loved ones who will support me from a distance. Courage to answer the call, forge a path, put ink to paper.
"Each entered the forest at a point that he himself had chosen, where it was darkest and there was no path. If there is a path it is someone else's path and you are not on the adventure.” ~ Joseph Campbell, The Hero's Journey
It takes courage to speak one’s spiritual truth, and even greater courage to embark on the journey to discover it. It’s a pilgrimage spanning years – lifetimes, even. Campbell’s organizing of the hero’s journey into three steps – departure, initiation, and return – seem simple enough... but for initiation! The succession of trials, the temptation and reconciliation, the disintegration of ego as consciousness expands – all of this to obtain that which is sought.
A seeker of truth – that is, divine wisdom – has at their core a desire for enlightenment, and therefore traverses two divergent paths. Theirs is both a communal and solitary journey, both a material and spiritual journey. Ultimately, it is the seeker’s true self – that is, their higher soul aspect, the divine spark within them – that prevails; they master the world of duality and return to share their boon with humanity.
I encourage you to follow my example and embark on a spiritual quest of your own. There is no better way to begin than with a winter’s retreat, whether you can get away for a week, a weekend, or part of a weekday. I am sure that through the experience you will find some enlightenment yourself, and return from the journey with your own gifts to share.
A seeker of truth – that is, divine wisdom – has at their core a desire for enlightenment, and therefore traverses two divergent paths. Theirs is both a communal and solitary journey, both a material and spiritual journey. Ultimately, it is the seeker’s true self – that is, their higher soul aspect, the divine spark within them – that prevails; they master the world of duality and return to share their boon with humanity.
I encourage you to follow my example and embark on a spiritual quest of your own. There is no better way to begin than with a winter’s retreat, whether you can get away for a week, a weekend, or part of a weekday. I am sure that through the experience you will find some enlightenment yourself, and return from the journey with your own gifts to share.
“Alchemy is the art of far and near . . . ” Robert Morgan
So off I will soon go…to my winter retreat “to see the wizard” and then return from my journey with presents and tales of my adventures. But no matter where I am, I will be as near as I am far, thanks to the magic of modern technology! And I'll be happy to spend some time with you!
Through the coming weekend, you’ll find me in person at some Inner Compass events. Then, for a few months I’ll be available virtually for individual distance sessions with clients, as well as several online events - I am very excited about them and hope several of you will join me! By mid-March (2024), I will expand my reach with in-person events in addition to the online ones. Check the Inner Compass Calendar for all the latest details, and let me know how your winter retreat is going....
Through the coming weekend, you’ll find me in person at some Inner Compass events. Then, for a few months I’ll be available virtually for individual distance sessions with clients, as well as several online events - I am very excited about them and hope several of you will join me! By mid-March (2024), I will expand my reach with in-person events in addition to the online ones. Check the Inner Compass Calendar for all the latest details, and let me know how your winter retreat is going....