Retreat: Gaining Perspective to Move Forward

Retreat. What do you think of when you hear the word? I suspect that different people have different images and ideas. Some military minds may have a negative reaction to the concept of retreat, feeling it encompasses the ideas of giving up or conceding. Other military minds may have studied the tactical advantages of retreat as a way of consolidating resources or gaining an advantage at a different time or place. The spiritual minded person may hold the idea of retreat as one of leaving the daily grind of the world for a time in order to go inward to make or grow a sense of spiritual connection and personal growth. And in some businesses, the idea of retreat may mean taking the business team off to a resort for rest and relaxation, but also for morale and team building.

Do these common notions of “retreat” share a mutual theme? In all of these versions of retreat, the
motif seems to be that of stepping away to gain balance, knowledge and growth. The natural cycles of plants and animals exhibit this, retreating in fall and winter only to emerge from their withdrawal in the spring, rejuvenated and full of new energy and growth. We can learn much from these natural cycles, and create times of retreat for ourselves aimed toward new growth, new ideas, and renewed
energy.

Retreat can be anything from an elaborate and structured time away from the cycle or routine of
work and daily life to an hour at the beach to reflect, and anything on the spectrum between these. Retreat provides the opportunity for reflection and perspective. It gives space to creatively consider and reshape how our priorities and goals align with our values and ethics. Paradoxically, retreat can provide the insight and momentum to advance with renewed focus and power.

All of that is a great rationale for taking some time away, and if you simply take a "vacation" to just get away from the daily grind, that can be very useful. But I think you can see that what I'm suggesting here as retreat involves something a bit more than a weekend getaway to the mountains, as appealing as that is! What I'm suggesting is that the spirit of retreat involves something more intentional, in growth of mind, body and/or spirit.

All I can speak to is my own experience. I have taken solitary and intentional retreats at several times in my life, most of which have been, unsurprisingly, at or before major transitions or transformations in my life. What these retreats have had in common is that they allowed me space and time to consider life and my life as a whole, and to notice the context of my life, goals and plans. Meditation has been a key part of this time, being able to notice and explore my own mind, my thoughts and beliefs, and to be able to make choices about the direction of my priorities and goals, and to evaluate how aligned these have been with my values.

An important stance in retreat is that of openness; openness to learning about oneself, and openness to changing those things which are not useful in fulfilling one's own values and goals. One retreat took me on a path to making a career change after over two decades as a successful Software Analyst, Developer, and Project Manager. Another sent me down the path of opening The Bindu Institute as a means to fulfilling my values of service and healing. In practicing retreat, I have learned to listen more carefully and more often to my "inner wisdom."