The air is still and there is a remarkable feeling of peace. Life slows down and you have no choice but to slow down with it and just be there in that moment.

Leaves and blades of grass carry drops of rain on them which then turn into steam when the sun comes from behind a cloud and the drops evaporate back into the air.

This is The Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo, KZN. Everything in harmony with nature from the nourishing food sourced from their vegetable gardens to the monkeys that scamper through the trees.

After my first retreat here last year, a Writing Retreat, I made a promise to myself to come back at least once a year after that. At the beginning of this year I scanned the retreats and found one that resonated with me, and here I am again.

This retreat, The Shift Experience is facilitated by John Homewood from Wisdom to Nourish. John is a human potential and spiritual life coach and led us through the weekend with pure grace, dedication and wisdom.

We were led through life changing presence meditations, experienced shifts whilst listening to angelic and uplifting music and taken through a course of self- realisation and awakening.

‘’Seek not to change the world; rather seek to change your mind about the world.”

Some of the learnings from this journey that I take home are;

● The power of forgiveness- let go what no longer serves you which allows us to heal and move forward with lightness and ease.

● The power of acceptance- allow what is to be and allow others to be as they are.

● The power of now- facing each and every challenge with presence will reap rich rewards.

“Tune into the everyday miracles- seeing, hearing, walking, talking and breathing.” The Afterlife of Billy Fingers

I left the Buddhist Retreat Centre feeling lighter, more fulfilled, centred and mindful.

“Feeling and expressing gratitude is one of the keys for shifting our energy. I recommend starting and ending each day with acknowledgment of the good and feeling gratitude throughout your body.” John

The Shift Retreat is not about convincing you of a new ‘belief system’, but rather one of igniting your own inner knowing and wisdom and desire to awaken to a different way of being and living in the world. 

 All truth is within, and all that any good guide or teacher can really do is lead you to the door of your own deeper knowingness, and inspire you to be courageous enough to step through.

 The Awakening Shift Retreat Facebook Book

 Wisdom to Nourish Website

 Buddhist Retreat Centre Website

Some of the tasty vegetarian dishes and desserts at the BRC.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored or paid post, and all opinions are my own.