12 steps for a spiritual retreat at home

The call of inner peace is strong, but the idea of ​​going far away seems complicated? What if the most powerful sanctuary was already within your reach: your own home?
For centuries, retreat has been seen as an essential path to spiritual growth. But there's no need to fly to the Himalayas to reap its benefits.
In this guide, Elara Vey, our explorer of world wisdom, takes you by the hand to transform your home into a true haven of peace. Follow these 12 steps to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with what truly matters.

Phase 1: Preparing Your Sacred Space (Steps 1-4)

Before plunging into silence, the first step is to prepare the ground. This involves consciously defining your physical and temporal space.

1. Set the limits of the retirement.

Your home becomes your monastery. Your courtyard or balcony, your garden of contemplation. As Master Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche said, attitude is more important than place. Honor your space by dedicating it to this practice.

2. Set a duration.

Commitment is key. Whether it's 24 hours or just a few hours a day for a week, stick to it. Consistency transforms a simple break into a true retreat.

3. Choose a simple technique.

Don't overcomplicate things. Silent seated meditation is perfect for beginners. To help you maintain a comfortable posture during your sessions, a meditation cushion is recommended. is your best ally. It supports your back and allows you to focus on your breath, not on the discomfort. For contemplation, immerse yourself in teachings on impermanence, or meditate on the timeless wisdom embodied by a statuette of Confucius .

4. Determine the number of sessions.

Start with one or two short sessions. To gently and visually mark the beginning and end of each session, nothing beats the soothing presence of a White Ceramic Lotus Flower Incense Holder . Lighting an incense cone and watching its smoke rise can be a powerful signal to your mind that it's time to shift from agitation to calm.

Phase 2: Immersion in Practice (Steps 5-8)

Now that the framework is in place, it's time to dive into the heart of the experience.

5. Embrace silence.

Turn off all your devices. External silence is the gateway to inner silence. To complement this silence, create an olfactory atmosphere that invites calm. Turn on a few sandalwood incense sticks or use a essential oil diffuser with lavender to soothe the mind.

6. Make wishes during retirement.

Wishes structure your intention. Among the eight traditional wishes, two are particularly easy to make a reality:

• Change your clothes: Wear simple, comfortable clothing reserved for your activity. A meditation shawl or loose-fitting clothing can help you mark this transition and get into the "spirit of retreat".
• Change your mindset: Constantly remind yourself of impermanence to detach yourself from worldly concerns.

7. Ask a mentor (if needed).

The mentor can be either your Dharma teacher or an experienced and trusted practitioner who has already completed many retreats. If the retreats are short, do not contact the mentor unless your questions are urgent. The retreat is a time to learn how our own mind works and to become comfortable with our mind.

8. Start small and slowly.

During your retreat session (whether it's an hour, a day, or a weekend), simply settle in to do all of the above. Choose an easy meditation practice, read some Dharma books, and gently contemplate the fundamentals. Stay within your comfort zone until you settle into a rhythm. This is a marathon, not a sprint. And going on a retreat is about softening the heart and mind. It's not about hardening yourself for the retreat, but about softening yourself during it.

Phase 3: Cultivating the Right Mindset (Steps 9-12)

Retirement is as much a matter of heart and mind as it is of formal practice.

9. Be honest with yourself about your ability.

Take it slow. Going too far and too fast risks developing an aversion and losing the desire to practice. Accept where you are and build from there. Even Siddhartha Gautama wasn't Shakyamuni Buddha in the beginning. The young Mila became Milarepa over time. Yeshe Tsogyal started as an ordinary Tibetan girl and became the first fully enlightened being in the Tibetan tradition. We all start somewhere. We must gradually build our ability and confidence.

10. Have no expectations!

The most important practice is self-compassion. Between sessions, rest. Settle in comfortably with a warm cup of tea and a Rose Quartz Bracelet on your wrist, to remind yourself to be gentle and kind to yourself.

11. Generate joy at the beginning of each session.

Before meditating, take a moment to contemplate an object that inspires you. A beautiful statue of a Buddhist monk is not simply a decoration; it is a reminder of the peace and enlightenment that reside within you. His serene smile can be the starting point for your own inner joy.

12. Remember the immense opportunity and privilege of being able to practice the dharma and go on retreat.

Countless people do not have this opportunity, so savor it, enjoy it and make the most of this time.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is to maintain a relaxed attitude and an open heart. You now have all the tools to make your home a powerful place of transformation. Every object, every intention, every moment of silence is a brick you lay to build your inner peace.