Mount Shasta Experiences: Full Moon Adventure at Ascension Rock

(c) Bob Small, www.smallshots.com

Last Friday night, a friend and I were inspired to go for a hike up on Mount Shasta in the light of the full moon.  Our destination was Ascension Rock, one of my favorite spots on the mountain.

It was cloudy and quite cold when we started our journey.  We couldn’t see the moonrise.  But, even with the clouds, the moon provided enough light for us to hike without flashlights.

When we got to Ascension Rock, the moon was still hiding.  So, with no outer show being offered, we turned our focus within.  

Ascension Rock is an awesome spot to meditate.  Somehow, it always seems that the silent stillness is amplified there.  To me, it’s way easier to disregard my mind and drop into the Presence there than in other places.

After a while, every breath had the taste of nectar.  I sat there for a long time drinking it in, grateful to remember how simple it truly is to come home.

Then, the moon finally revealed herself.  I opened my eyes and behold the glory of God.  The moonlight seemed more intense than ever before.  It was imbued with an energy of pure love.

My friend and I stood on the rocks, bathing in the moonlight.  Then we noticed that the mountain, which also had been hiding behind the clouds, was now visible.  What a moment to be sitting on Ascension Rock, gazing upon the moonlit mountain!

When I came down from the mountain and went into my house, the energy was just as strong.  That which the mountain and the moon had activated was pulsating inside of me.  I sat for hours, my heart bursting with gratitude for the gifts so abundantly given.

Andrew Oser has been offering  guided retreats on Mount Shasta since 1982.   Through hikes to little-known sacred sites, guided meditations, spiritual life coaching, and time drinking in the silence of the mountain, he helps clients to deeply renew themselves in body, mind, and spirit and receive clear vision for their lives.  Andrew also offers spiritual life coaching by phone and Skype. 

 

What is a Spiritual Retreat?

A spiritual retreat is time we set aside specifically for the purpose of deep self-renewal. Spiritual retreats generally include meditation, prayer, mindfulness exercises, or other practices designed to raise awareness and connect with God/Self.

A vacation is a time we take off from work to relax and enjoy ourselves. It doesn’t need to involve any particular focus spiritual or otherwise

Ideally, we enter into a retreat with clear intention and with gratitude.  Taking time for a retreat is a wonderful gift we’re giving ourselves.  We want to make the most of this precious time.

Often, but not always, it serves us best to get away for retreats.  Being in a new, unfamiliar setting can help us break free of unconscious patterns and make positive changes in our lives.

I’ve found that doing retreats in beautiful, natural settings works best for me.  Whether I’m camping or staying in a cabin or motel, being able to spend time in solitude in the mountains, desert, or by the ocean helps deepen the retreat.

The most powerful place I’ve discovered for retreats is Mount Shasta.  The mountain has an incredibly pure energy which reflects my own Self and makes it easy to go deep in meditation. 

When I return from a successful retreat, feel an overall increase in my sense of health and wellness. I feel more connected with my Self and more able to be present with whatever may be happening in my life.

You can read more information about keys for planning and taking a successful retreat at my web site.

Bringing The Gifts Home: Spiritual Retreat In Mount Shasta

Do you find that after you come home from a spiritual retreat in Mount Shasta or some other powerful spot the sense of magic and new possibilities quickly fades away?

To prevent this from happening, make sure to take time while you’re on retreat to build a bridge to your life back home.

Once you’ve immersed yourself deeply in the joy of the present, take some time to look at your life from a clear, nonjudgmental space. Notice which areas of your life are already in alignment with the Truth of who know yourself to be now. Also, note areas where there’s disharmony, struggle, stress, etc. Write down action steps which can bring these areas more into alignment with the inspiration and clarity you’ve tapped into during your retreat. Make sure that some, if not all, of these action steps are simple and easy to do (i.e., making a phone call, scheduling a meeting, etc.).

Also, take time to reflect upon and write down the insights and realizations you’ve had during your retreat. Ask yourself “How can I bring these realizations home with me?” For example, you might want to consider purchasing a picture of your retreat site or special memento which you keep in your bedroom or office. Or you may want to commit to a new daily practice or ritual that will keep the flame in your heart burning strong.

When you arrive home, do at least one of your action steps the first day you’re back and as many as possible the first week. Also, make sure to spend time in nature and some time doing the spiritual practices you used on the retreat. This will help integrate the gifts from your retreat into your daily life. Do your very best not to get so busy catching up on everything that you get overwhelmed and stressed out. By choosing to go on retreat, you demonstrated a strong commitment to your well-being. Honor this commitment and the time you invested in your retreat by truly making a new beginning in your life.