Thematic Flow of Our Retreat
Explore the Balance of Harmony and Spirit:
At the heart of our retreat is the theme of Ruach Chaim - the living spirit, and its opposite, Kotzer Ruach - the shortness of spirit, a state of anxiety, stress, and even despair. Our time together will focus on nourishing ourselves, so we can uplift others through experiences of harmony, both internally and in our lives.
Our Four-Day Journey
Over the course of four days, we will explore and experience the following themes:
- Welcoming Harmony into Our Sacred Space: Begin by coming together as a community in a sacred space, setting the intention for collective harmony.
- Identifying What Diminishes Our Spirit: We will create space for participants to reflect and give voice to what causes kotzer ruach in their lives at this moment.
- The Harmony of Community Connection: Delve into the dynamics of community, exploring both the challenges and the promises that come with it.
- Experiencing Harmony in Nature and the Divine: Connect deeply with the natural world and the Divine, finding peace and harmony in the beauty around us.
- Integration and Renewal: Close the retreat with a final experience of collective harmony, integrating the lessons learned and taking them forward into our lives.
The Roots of Our Theme: The Teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe
Our thematic flow is inspired by Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe’s teachings on Chaim (Life), specifically his views on the three primary experiences that bring vitality to our lives: nature, connection with others, and moments of solitude. As Rabbi Wolbe states in In the Shadow of Wisdom (pp. 11-12):
“A true ‘experience’ (chavaya) occurs when we feel the occasion has added ‘life’ to us. There are three primary experiences: nature, connecting with people, and being alone (seclusion). These are experiences of harmony- harmony outside of the self, harmony we are part of, and harmony within us.”
Our Focus: Harmony within, with Others, and with the Divine
As we give space to reflect on what causes kotzer ruach in our lives, we will then turn to experiences of harmony - in community, in nature, and in the Divine. Underlying this retreat is a recognition of the personal harmony we each seek and often struggle to achieve - especially in the challenging times we live in.
Join Us in Reconnecting and Finding Harmony
This retreat will offer a unique opportunity to deeply connect with yourself, with others, and with the world around you in an environment of peace and tranquility. You will leave with a renewed sense of harmony and spirit to carry with you long after the retreat ends.