Carving out time for ourselves during the day isn’t easy. But creating and taking that time makes a huge difference in how we feel emotionally, mentally, and physically. I’ve found inspiration in a book called 20-Minute Retreats, by Rachel Harris, Ph.D. This book talks about the importance of taking 20 minutes a day to retreat, giving yourself the silence and solitude to remember the divine in ourselves and in our lives. The purpose of a retreat is to create a sacred time to reconnect to one’s self.
Here are some signs, as named in this book, that you need, to establish 20-minute retreats in your day:
1. You can hardly remember the last time you had a moment to yourself.
2. You feel an unquenchable inner yearning.
3. You don’t laugh as much as you used to.
4. All you do is take care of others’ needs, neglecting your own.
5. Your heart feels closed.
6. You rush everywhere.
7. You don’t remember your dreams.
8. You feel disconnected, without an inner center.
9., You know there’s more to life, but you don’t know what it is or what to do about it.
10. You comment to friends that you feel like you’re running on empty.
11. With no energy to do anything else, you spend evenings and weekends zoned out in front of the TV (or on your phone).
12. You want to experience more love in your life.
If any of these resonate with you, try this first exercise from the book, then ease into more:
Five-Minute Retreat Harmony
This retreat uses deceptively simple instructions. Simply see that everything is as it should be, right here, right now. However, this involves seeing the world through different eyes, through the eyes of a mystic. To do this we have to let go of our expectations, judgments, and desires in the faith that harmony will prevail. In the middle of a busy day, try deciding to see that this very moment is perfect, just as it is, in perfect harmony. Even just a split second of this perspective, a flash so to speak, is enough to open us to the possibility of harmony as reality.
We must find a way to focus positive energy towards the mind and body connection allowing us to have balance. The concepts in this powerful book have really spoken to me, reminding me of things I already know and value, but have let get a little buried in the bustle of daily life. The little bit of time it takes (20 minutes or less) has the capacity to enrich our lives immeasurably.
Contributor
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.