The island of Gozo is a wonderful place of joy, beauty and tranquility!
It has the feel to me of going back in time, to a previous life fifty years or so ago in the UK!
Recently, I held ‘The Truth of Who You Are’ retreat there, which saw nine wonderful participants coming together to share and open themselves to transformation.
It was a time for reflection, healing, and reconnection with their essence – their true self.
Uncovering the Layers of Conditioning
Throughout our lives, we accumulate layers of beliefs, conditioning, and adaptations which started in our childhood experiences. These often-unconscious scripts influence our choices, relationships, and self-perceptions in ways we may not fully realise.
The retreat shed more light on these hidden influences, inviting all who attended to explore how past wounds were still influencing their present reality.
Through Vipassana, Trataka,(Candle gazing) guided meditations and chanting meditations, as well as both written and spoken exercises, the nine in the ‘Truth of who you are’ team were guided to identify and confront these deeply ingrained patterns.
Each exercise acted as a stepping stone, helping to reveal and unravel the adaptations formed as protective responses during childhood.
By bringing awareness to these patterns, participants could begin to dissolve the barriers that hide their true selves.
Embracing Stillness and Awareness
At the centre point, the heart, of the retreat was the experience of stillness — the pure awareness that lies beneath the noise of daily life, and beyond the narratives we construct.
Each day, moments of quiet reflection encouraged participants to immerse themselves in this inner silence, finding joy, ease and clarity in simply being.
The journey wasn’t just about unearthing old beliefs, but rediscovering and experiencing the timeless, ever-present awareness – the truth of who we are.
This stillness is where transformation happens.
As the nine experienced presence, they witnessed the power of simply observing thoughts and emotions without judgment. It became clear that true freedom lies not in striving to become something else, but in reconnecting with the truth that has always been there.
The Power of Community and Shared Experience
The group dynamic added another profound layer to the experience. The shared journey created a sense of belonging and mutual love and support. Conversations during the retreat revealed that despite different backgrounds and life stories, there was a shared understanding of the universal human experience. By listening to one another’s insights and stories, each participant realised that they were not alone on their journey—a reminder that we are not separate – we are all one.
Moving Beyond the Retreat
The lessons from ‘The Truth of Who You Are’ retreat extend beyond the days spent on Gozo. Participants left with practical tools to continue their path of self-discovery, equipped to recognise and gently challenge the adaptations that no longer serve them. They carried with them the profound understanding that within the space of stillness and awareness, there is a path to authentic living.
In uncovering these truths and stepping beyond the conditioning, they embarked on a path not only toward healing, but toward embracing life with an open heart and clear mind.
The journey of self-discovery is ongoing, but the retreat served as an opportunity to experience that the essence of who we are is already within us, waiting to be experienced and lived.
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