Quietly Radical
“There’s something quietly radical about hitting the pause button on life, stepping away from the usual noise, and making the deliberate choice to retreat.”
Dear Sangha,
Gently touching back down in Paris after a heart nourishing retreat at Purple Valley Tenerife – where I had the joy of reconnecting with longtime students, friends, and some truly wonderful new ones.
There’s something quietly radical about hitting the pause button on life, stepping away from the usual noise, and making the deliberate choice to retreat – to tune in to what truly matters.
Each morning, we began by dropping into that deeper intention: Why are we here? Why do we take our seat, roll out our mats, and choose to practice in the first place?
“This, I believe, is how practice moves from being merely techniques we do to something that orients our lives.”
But let’s be real – aligning with intention isn’t as simple as flipping a light switch. It’s more like tending a flame, one that requires patience, care, and mindful attention. Even after decades of practice, expecting a state of perfect alignment 24/7 is… well, let’s just say optimistic. It’s a choice we return to again and again.
Living in a fairly safe country with my basic needs met, I could spend my free time in any number of ways. And yet, choosing to step back from the pace of everyday life and immerse myself in practice – surrounded by authentic teachers and spiritual community, is one of the most valuable ways I know to recalibrate.
“I consider it a peace offering to my inner and outer world.”
It’s not about escaping “real life,” but rather preparing to meet it with greater clarity, presence, and openness of heart.
This year I’m especially grateful to offer both new and returning retreats. All of which involve a deeper dive into the Yogic and Buddhist practices and teachings that have helped me remain connected and wakeful, and served as a steady compass back to what we might call an Innate Heart-Wisdom. And there is nothing more joyful than sharing that journey with all of you, my beloved Sangha.
With love and blessings
/kia, Paris February 2025 x
If you are not able to travel for retreat, you can still make a virtual sound journey to one - first a visual one by Sandra Schultze and below a sound journey by Yotam Agam and myself to our Mountain Shala in Spain...
