Headed to the retreat for the final hours of certification
I’m packing my bags and headed to Sedona, leaving mid-week to the high desert. The final hours of certification total 50 that require that to be at the institute. There, I will be meditating, teaching, practicing my public speaking skills, learning about marketing, and then graduation.
I have wanted to do this for years. Back in 2012, I started talking about leading meditation classes and retreats. I wasn’t sure then, however, that this would ultimately be the direction I’d take. Teaching meditation is why I started this website. I wanted to get started building my business with blog posts and inspirational material while also continuing on my meditation journey.
That’s not me, but I’d like to find that same rock while I’m in Sedona. This photo was taken by Taylor Davis on Unsplash.
No technology
For 8+ days, I won’t have access to technology, and will be focused on my studies from 7:30 am – 6:00 pm. In the evenings, I will be at the institute some nights, but otherwise camping and exploring Sedona and the surrounding area. During that time, I will have a couple posts scheduled (gotta keep the routine going, no?) and some tweets that will still go out. I just like the idea of keeping everything going with a forward momentum – even if I’m not active online.
I’m looking forward to this tech fast. I tried to do one in December and sort of accomplished that. Then, as part of my meditation studies, I did a 24-hour tech fast in June. I think they’re critical to do at regular intervals. In fact, as part of my teaching, I’m supposed to do a tech fast once a month.
Besides, getting away from technology is known to help you get back to your roots, back in touch with the spiritual.
(I always want to “squish” tech+fast together to make “techfast”, kind of like how “breakfast” formed. Is it just me?)
These are some of the rock formations surrounding Sedona. Photo by Maher El Aridi on Unsplash
Beginning to teach
Upon my return, I will begin teaching, and I would like to lead a retreat soon. Already, I am teaching about meditation at the More Than Mindfulness Conference in Asheville, NC, happening in October, 2018. I will also teach an “elective” course about meditation beginning in October and ending in February to middle school students.
Having spent over 10 years in the classroom as a teacher, I’ll be able to transfer those skills to teaching meditation. It’ll be good to flex my teaching muscle again.
I’ll update my website in the coming months to reflect what I’m doing. Moving forward, I will continue on my journey of creating mandala meditation videos, creating books on meditation and mindfulness (whether they’re coloring books, journals, guided meditations, and more) and will write more guided meditations.
Will share about Sedona
I can’t wait to share with you what Sedona will have been like. I’m camping at a place that’s known as a spiritual nature retreat. Yes, I’ll be at the institute during the day, but I elected to camp instead of staying in a hotel. I always feel closer to nature and more spiritually centered when I’m outdoors. Plus, at the camp, there are drum circles, Qi Gong classes and more.
I’m also bringing my mountain bike. I’d like to try to bike around town, going from the campground to the institute, but…we’ll see how that goes.
Eh…I’ll just dab on a little patchouli in the mornings before my classes and I’ll be good to go! Ha! Kidding…kidding.
In any case, I won’t be back here to the blog until August 9, or so, with a post about Sedona coming out on August 13.
You are welcome to comment. Just know that I won’t be able to respond until I return. I will repay the favor in-kind, as well. In the meantime, don’t forget to take time to meditate, exercise, practice some gratitude, spend time in nature, and just let it go. 🙂
Enjoy your training and techfast Cytnhia! I failed at my fast. It would be good to have something that really kept me from being online. 🙂 Congrats on reaching another milestone in your journey.
Brad – thank you for all your support and for your friendship. 🙂 The tech fast is really hard if the computer is just right there with ready access to the internet. I have found that I have to completely remove the temptation somehow. My trip, for example. I knew I wouldn’t have good cell coverage while camping, and I wasn’t allowed to use my phone while at the retreat, anyways. So…it became easy to not use my phone, especially when I told everyone that I wouldn’t be using it. But I suppose we all have to figure out what works for each of us. 🙂 Thank you for being part of my journey, friend!
Wishing you the best on this latest journey of yours. May you find all you hope to find in the high desert, and may the temperatures be accommodating for you. Hugs heading your way, Lil Sis! I’m very proud of you and your adventurous spirit.
Big Bro – it was awesome. Hard and trying at times, but I knew it was all for my own good. The high desert was hot – I didn’t mind it too much, but then I figured out that the sun was really intense and could easily burn the skin. I got out of the sun before too long, but only a few minutes without sunscreen could be bad! Thank you for all your support over the years, Big Bro. Here’s to many more adventures. 🙂
Hi dear Cynthia,
I am catching up, as I have a short break between semesters. I know you are doing the same for differing reasons.
I love how your recent post has gorgeous black and white photos… a symbol of your allowing yourself to totally simplify.
That being said, these photos are gorgeous as well.
I am looking forward to attending one of your workshops – it’s on my ‘dreams that will become reality’ list… 🙂
Love you and have a peaceful day, Maria
Mar – thank you, thank you! Yup, I’m catching up, too. I hope you have a fabulous upcoming semester. School is already gearing up to start around here as I’m sure it is there for you.
Black and white = simplification. You know, sweet Mar. You just gave me a profound idea. I’m going to let it percolate before I share more about it, but still…you’re BRILLIANT!
And I cannot, CANNOT wait to create retreats. I know the first couple, I will be nervous. But when I gave a short presentation – no one knows this – at the meditation retreat, my teacher said to me, “you have ‘RETREAT’ written all over you. I know that is your path.” She had NO IDEA that this was something I had long been considering. It was another sign, another confirmation of my path. I was amazed and awed. Love you, sweet friend. You are incredible. Just incredible. Never, ever forget that.
Yes, a tech fast would be nice and much easier if I had a trip or retreat planned. But with my urban life, the tech is too easy and ingrained.