Building a Place to Belong

Retreats offer a wonderful opportunity for us to gather and focus on our spiritual practice and build up momentum for a time. However, they are over all too soon, and we could do so much more and go so much deeper if we had our own retreat locations where people could stay as long as they like, and have the means to profoundly explore their potential.

By hiring venues, we are limited by what we can do and the time we have and the premises are not always suited to the needs of the group. But imagine a retreat that never ends, which is open year round, purpose built to provide a sanctuary where people can focus intensively on spiritual growth. Such a place could become a focal point for spiritual development and learning, that thrives with spiritual energy throughout the year. The difference this could make to our lives and inner-work could be extraordinary – it would be a precious refuge we could always go to.

With the time and space to delve into what really matters, there would be the means to profoundly learn how to really live out the teachings consistently and effectively day to day, and find harmony within, with others and with the surrounding nature. We could learn what a truly spiritual community is like, what it takes to live in one, and strive to have a smaller version of what the great esoteric civilizations of the past had – a society of unity and brotherhood, centered around learning about and walking the spiritual path, where the true meaning of life would not be forgotten or overridden by mundane interests.

There are appeals underway to generate support to start up and run our own retreat venues around the world; in Greece and Australia searches are underway to find beautiful, inspiring settings to establish these venues. These projects will get only take shape with lots of support, both from people in the Gnostic centers and from those in the online community here at Gnosticweb – it will take a big combined effort, but anything is possible when people unite and come together to achieve something. Everybody’s contribution and assistance will count towards making this happen, and the solidarity and strength we hope to build at these retreats will begin with the generosity, commitment and teamwork of everyone who will become active and get behind this appeal. We hope to create something we can all enjoy for many years to come.

To get involved, make donations, or find out more about the projects, please visit the links below.