Himalayan
Institute Retreat 2010
A personal viewpoint
On 28th
May 2010, a group of some 30 people met at the Domus Mariae retreat centre to
hear Rolf Sovik, the president of the Himalayan Institute, and co-director of the
Institute in Buffalo, USA. Rolf led the
retreat, using texts from various sources including the Baghavad Gita and the
Yoga Sutras. The program involved
study, asana practice and time to reflect, as well as opportunities to meet
others and relax in the peace and beautiful surroundings of the venue
itself. Filomena Duarte, who attended
the retreat, writes this account.
What is ‘Retreat’?
A
group of people from all walks of life, coming together- searching for meaning
to their lives, making a self-enquiry
as to their purpose. Sometimes the need is so great that one needs to
completely get away from what is familiar and known and have the courage to go
somewhere where you are completely unknown. Somewhere where people have no
expectations of you and you can behave and act ‘totally out of character’ that
in your usual environment would be considered ‘odd’ at best.
To
awaken yourself to new perspectives untouched before. To be open to completely
new experiences. To face fears, again,
that in ones usual environment might be too hard to do. And, to do this, in a
supportive, healing and non-judgemental place.
All
activities are optional so if you don’t feel in the mood for a session…stop,
pause, and decide ‘What is it that feels right for NOW’- not what someone is
telling you you should do, or what you think you should do. Go for a walk maybe
in the beautiful grounds or read quietly in your comfortable room.
Each session is an opportunity to be guided.
To explore yourself further- whether physically, energetically, intellectually
or that place so deep that you can’t put into words but leaves you with a
feeling of expansion, space, happiness, silence and love – beyond words. The
words just don’t come. That blissful place in experience that you don’t want to
lose – but then, the Mind starts to play tricks, and you want to stay there -
attachment follows – and that’s it – its gone!
Then,
you get home with some trepidation that you have to get back into the fast lane
again. Return to the life you left. The people, the jobs, the responsibilities
and duties – yet – you come to know that this is where you should be. This is
your purpose and you are exactly where you should be. What has changed however,
is that you might recognize that you have a choice as to how you look at
your life – looking at the positive rather then the negative (if that is your
habit). Stepping away for even a couple of days, renewing your sight.
‘To
retreat’ is echoed and symbolized in the battle of ‘The Gita’. The ancient
scripture which portrays the ‘battle’ we play out within ourselves. What is the ‘battle’ for ?
–“ Happiness, Awareness and Sense of Being’’*.
To
‘retreat’ is to recharge with renewed vitality and determination. The Gita and Patanjali’s
Yoga Sutras, studied this year, provide the weapons/tools, maps, compass,
direction, secrets, army with their various ranks and a General to articulate
what needs to be done.
You
will certainly come away with tools to help along this journey of life, make
new friendships and consolidate existing ones, not to mention the endless
supply of fabulous food!
With grateful thanks to *Rolf Sovik, John
Howell, Mary Gail, Sylvia and all involved with The Himalayan Institute that
made the 2010 Retreat so very special!
Filomena
Duarte June 2010