A Retreat's Irreplaceable Benefits | Ireland 2020

June 16, 2019

First of all, happy father's day to you who have had the privilege and honour of parenting another soul in this walk of life. It is no small task but one filled with a scale from delightful surprises to painful hurdles. Let it all make us stronger, wiser, kinder and happier in our lives. Brava for supporting the way of the next generation.

I just finished reading a book called Three Teachings by Ven. Tenzin Palmo who is a Tibetan nun that among many things retreated in a cave in the Himalayas for twelve years. Such a discipline is hard for most to imagine. She said that she hadn't entered the cave with a notion that she would be there so long. Her clarity of presence, dedication of practice and understanding of the mind not only sustained her but made her an extraordinary teacher when she reintegrated into the world.

When she was giving these talks in Singapore she expressed the benefit of being on retreat with others is so important because it takes us out of our society as we know it. When we begin to practice honouring our place in the world that carries a hope of inner peace, we can't do it alone as successfully as when we practice quietening the mind in a room with others. When we realize that the struggles we have are the same as others, we grow and improve together. At that point we have support for prosperity and this can be brought forth into our independent lives.

It's the hope and commitment on my retreats to offer that safe container of practice and experience that flourishes the lens of meaning and understanding while cultivating joy through presence that can sustain us long after the retreat.

Retreating in Ireland has the added bonus of allowing us to establish or reinforce a solid practice while being nurtured by a mystical landscape. Our experiences there are guided by extraordinary locals both passionate and present with a solid sense of how they are in the world.

To curate and shepherd such gatherings is an amazing honour. Thank you for those who have joined me in the past. Thank you to those who are coming.

The 2020 retreat dates are up and we just created a photo gallery that I will add to with time. There are thousands of pictures from the previous retreats so choosing is a bit of a challenge. That said, I do believe a picture tells a thousand words. Visit: https://www.mindfulnecessities.com/pages/ireland-retreat-photo-gallery

Hope to have you join me one day.