The Art of Simplicity

Beloved Sangha,

I just had a lovely conversation with Nathalie and Tereza, who are hosting my retreat in Tertsa this June. One of Nathalie’s questions stayed with me: What makes stepping away from daily life so powerful for deepening practice?

As I’ve shared with you before, I find there’s something radical about pausing from the usual noise, and making the deliberate choice to retreat. And that is the gift of Simplicity. Simplicity is one of the most fundamental themes of the earliest teachings of the Buddha. It is considered an essential quality for deepening practice.

“Simplicity, in this context, isn’t necessarily a movement away from complexity — but a condensation, a refinement. A drawing closer to the heart of something.”

Simplicity is what allows us to fully immerse into practice with less distraction pulling us in every direction. It’s a quiet, radical act of reclaiming our inner agency — choosing where our attention goes, rather than letting it be captured for profit. Doing this in community on retreat, allows for mutual encouragement and a collective sincerity that quietly strengthens the heart.

Then, as we return to daily life we can gradually reintroduce the variables with greater awareness. So for me, retreat is not an escape but a return. A return to the simplicity and heart of the matter. One could even argue that the most important part of going on retreat happens when we come home… Join our full conversation below!

It’s not too late to join my retreats in Crete or Spain. Each gathering offers a deeper dive into the Yogic and Buddhist teachings and practices that continue to serve as a steady compass back to a natural state of Simplicity. And there is nothing more joyful than sharing that path with all of you!

With love and blessings

x kia, Paris April 2025