From this reflection, develop and write down some clear objectives for your retreat. Aim high! Magic can happen on a retreat; you can receive just about anything your heart truly yearns for.
Next, choose a location for the retreat which is in alignment with your objectives and your needs. I love being in solitude in the mountains and desert, so I often choose to spend my retreats camping in remote areas.
If you enjoy being in nature, but you’re not a camper, you might want to stay in a motel or vacation rental located in a beautiful setting away from the city.
Some people prefer to stay in a retreat center. Most major metropolitan areas have a number of retreat centers, often located on beautiful, large properties in quiet areas. If you want to research retreat centers on the internet, a great place to start is www.findthedivine.com.
The quality of your retreat will be strongly impacted by how well you prepare yourself for this special time. One key is to take care of any potential loose ends which could distract you from being fully present. To the extent possible, complete projects, get current on communications, pay bills, etc. Leave messages on your e-mail and phones indicating the dates you will be unavailable.
Do whatever you can to ready yourself physically, as well as spiritually, for the retreat. If you plan to do some vigorous hiking on your retreat, you may want to amp up your exercise program to prepare your heart, lungs, and legs for this challenge.
If you’ll be doing lots of meditation or some other spiritual practice, it’s wise to do that practice regularly in the days leading up to the retreat. You will build momentum and strengthen your focus.
My favorite retreat spot for the past 35 years has been Mount Shasta, because the energy on this sacred mountain is so conducive to deep meditation. Check out my retreat services, that include my life coaching and mountain guide experience.
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