The Idea of "Retreating"
What have we got to lose from stepping away for a while?
If the thought of joining a meditation retreat both intrigues and unsettles you at the same time, you are not alone.
After all, we have grown so accustomed to a particular way of operating in today’s fast-paced world, that stepping outside the familiarity of our daily routines - no matter how chaotic or draining they may be - can feel like a daunting, even unreachable undertaking.
Deep down, we know we need the space. We long for a pause - even a temporary one - because we sense how profoundly it can support our wellbeing.
And yet, we often struggle to justify setting aside time and resources to pack a suitcase, leave our life behind, and commit to deep inner work - even if it is the very thing that allows us to return home more grounded and whole.
What are we really afraid of?
Why does the idea of going on retreat feel so implausible to a mind and body worn thin by the storm and swell of worldly life?
What have we got to lose by stepping away for a while?
When I signed up for my first silent meditation retreat many years ago, I was gripped by anxiety at the thought of going completely offline for ten whole days. No emails, no updates, no notifications. In fact, ten days felt like an eternity. I imagined my inbox overflowing to the point of collapsing, and my phone registering at least a few hundred angry missed calls.
But when I emerged from the retreat ten days later, I realised the world had gone on just fine without me. Work continued running in my absence. Nobody had spiralled into chaos because I wasn’t available.
And instead of missing out, I realise I had actually gained so much from temporarily withdrawing from the world:
I learned to make space for myself - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
I grew comfortable with being by myself and with silence, learning to rest in stillness without needing to fill the void.
I began to see how keeping myself busy all the time was often a way to avoid what I didn’t want to feel.
I realised how much tension I had been carrying in my body, and how gentle awareness can soothe and soften it.
I learned that discomfort is not my enemy, but an ally in building patience and resilience.
I saw how reactive my mind can be, and how I can offer wiser responses with mindfulness.
I practiced meeting each moment with more kindness and compassion, rather than judgement and harshness.
I discovered a sense of awe and gratitude that naturally arose from slowing down and paying attention.
I revelled in the insight of impermanence, watching my thoughts and emotions come and go.
I experienced joy not from seeking pleasures or external achievements, but from dwelling in inner stillness and clarity.
I learned how liberating it was to not have to do, fix, or perform all the time, and to simply be.
I learned that retreating is not about escaping life, but about returning home more awake.
As you can see, that's a whole lot of learning from simply stepping away.
Of course, it’s clear that a retreat isn’t really about having fun or having a relaxing time. It’s not so much a holiday in the conventional sense.
Time at a retreat is time you owe to yourself - for restoration, reflection, recalibration, and remembering what truly matters.
It is a compassionate tending to the inner life we too often neglect - a chance to sit with ourselves in absolute ease, and to create the conditions for deep healing and renewal.
Join Erin in Ubud, Bali this September
Light On Life: Autumn Awakening
A 5-day mindfulness retreat celebrating the Autumn Equinox and exploring themes of balance, transition, and letting go.
WHEN: 21 - 25 September, 2025
WHERE: Being Sattvaa, Ubud, Bali
4 spots left for single occupancy
2 spots left for double occupancy
Super Early Bird Rate ends 21 June 2025