Silent Nights

As the year winds down to a close, I find that I too go deeper into my inner world and retreat from the chaos of the world.  For the last 3 years, the holiday season has been a time for me to retreat into silence and reflect on the year as well as to set intentions and recharge for the year to come as well as to "just sit".  I didn't think I would do one this year because so much has changed.  However, I'm finding that this year I need it more.  So from the 24th to the 1st  I'll be on retreat.

This year seems to more significance though than previous years as much has gone on not only for me as an individual but for the collective as well.  This year has been a time of great challenge and change for many people all around the world.  I've also seen many people come into to clarity around their life path as well. Who knows what will transpire in 2012.

This retreat will be considerably different from the ones I've done in the past.  For one, this will be the first time I won't be sitting with my community, at least in the physical sense, up in Bancroft ON.  In fact I won't be sitting with anyone at all.  This retreat I will do solo.  As much as I love sitting in community, I'm looking forward to being alone this time.  It feels right and timely.  And it is an absolutely LOVELY, powerful spot that I have rented.  In fact, it is a place I'm considering possibly co-owning if I can find the right investors. I'm hoping that sitting in this space things will become clear. I will say more about this in the new year.

As for my trip....I will be making a slow pilgrimage to India.  Making stops in Hawaii, Fiji, Bali, Thailand, up and over the Bay of Bengal into India.  From India...??? I'll let that be revealed when the time comes.  I know I want to go to the middle east, Turkey, Israel, Egypt....who knows.  There are so many possibilities and timing IS the essence...

I will be booking tickets in the new year.  This means I will probably be staying on Cortes for another month or so until all the details and visa's are worked out.  It's funny, I felt like I needed to rush off the island, rush off to different places, rush off to...where?  I have nothing but time so it is time I will take to do what needs to be done.  I'm learning the art of really, really slowing down.  Breathe...Stop....Listen...Look...Feel...Smell..Touch....Taste....Be.

I'm grateful for the time to retreat before I throw myself into a worldly adventure.  I feel like I'm waking up to a completely new life, a new way of being, with new visions, and a real sense that anything is possible.

I wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!  My you all be Blessed with peace, love and joy!!!