In our fast-paced world, we’ve all wanted to reap the fantastic benefits of attending a mindfulness retreat. Have you sought a serene and calm mindset by committing to a silent retreat?
If it approaches right, it can be a positive life-changing experience. Our tip tips for preparing will help you prepare better:
Be realistic
It may not be completely suited to you to jump into the weekend silent retreat if you haven’t convinced yourself to meditate for over five minutes. It is important to know yourself and your meditation capabilities.
If you want to commit to a retreat, work on your basics and try meditating for longer periods each day.
Take care of the life details.
While you are away, planning to take care of all the organizational details is important. If you have kids, have someone to babysit. If there are pets, ensure that they are fed. You do not have to be stressed on your retreat about how things will be back home.
Know what to bring.
Most retreat organizations will provide you with a list of what to bring and what not to bring. To ensure you pack efficiently and effectively, read that list beforehand.
Try not to overpack. While you should have what you need, not everything needs to be packed.
Bring comfortable clothes and shoes.
You must be comfortable during your silent retreat. You do not want to feel unpleasant or stiff. Uncomfortable clothes can often get frustrating.
Try to bring along clothes that let you be easy and pack to ensure you have enough clothes to layer up.
Remember to stretch
It may take a toll on your body to sit for long hours. Remember that you may be required to sit in certain poses for long durations during the retreat.
If you’re not flexible, try to include gentle stretching into your schedule. That way, you’d be more relaxed, both emotionally and physically.
Be kind to yourself.
You may experience difficult memories or emotions during your retreat experience. It can get highly uncomfortable when old traumas resurface. It would help if you tried not to become overly critical, as it may be easy to beat yourself up.
You need to provide your soul and body with extreme love and compassion. You need to connect with yourself and be your own best friend.
Release the expectations
Many are stuck with emotions and enter retreats with certain expectations and beliefs. Release all these expectations about what might or should happen. Expectations can often make a person feel disappointed or limited.
Practice trying to live in the moment. Enjoy the experience that the retreat has to offer to you. Remember that you have undertaken this adventure to grow as a person.
If you want to experience a lifetime in a meditation retreat, Wild Heart Lodge can be among your best options to experience the serenity and calmness that retreats offer.