I just got back from a short meditation retreat nestled high up in the misty hills, the kind of place where the clouds seem close enough to touch, and the air feels like it has been filtered through a dream. The journey up was an adventure itself, with winding roads that tested both my driving focus and my mindfulness practice before I even arrived.
The retreat turned out to be a wonderful mix of serenity, simplicity, and subtle surprises. I met new meditators from all walks of life, some veterans with calm, knowing smiles, others just starting their journey. Conversations during breaks were meaningful, filled with laughter and a sense of spiritual connection.
Each morning began with Surya Namaskar and gentle Yoga Asana, a graceful awakening of both body and spirit. After that came our meditation sessions, twice in the morning and once in the evening and ending with a session of yogic flying. Imagine feeling both grounded and airborne at the same time.
The setting itself was pure poetry, soft mist rolling in each morning, wrapping the hilltop in gentle silence. Even the occasional sound of birds felt like part of the meditation. Time slowed, thoughts softened and for once, even my phone gave up trying to find a signal.
There were moments during practice when the quiet became so deep that thought itself seemed to dissolve. That is the beauty of Transcendental Meditation. It is effortless, yet profound.
You do not try to control the mind, you allow it to settle with a mantra naturally. Adding to this whole experience were the lectures by our compassionate guru. Gentle and insightful sessions that carried the wisdom of her decades of experience as a meditator.
By the end of it, my mind and body felt lighter and blessed. The retreat was not just a break from the busy world, it was a quiet return to the self, where clarity surfaces on its own.