Probably because the words blessing, divinity, sin, prosperity, and god don’t resonate with the year 2024, IMO. But let us not forget that: moments of ritual bring meaning to the mundane.
We’re back from the Swellness Retreat— 4 days and 75 miles of silly & sincere, challenging & chill, welcoming & wild, structured & flowy, connected & free, floaty & deep, vulnerable & safe, masculine & feminine… yin & yang. It was hype-ass weekend of reconnection with what is most meaningful: our shared humanity.
Our recipe is not rocket science— we did obvious, simple things to help us remember. Like yoga, cold plunging, biking, nature bathing, no service, sacrificial burns, collective singing, bare-foot walking, improv games, sobriety, ceremonial circles, play, meditation, vulnerable expression, primal flow exercises, intentional listening, socratic discussion, journaling, and yes, we even said grace.
Aromas of hot, rich, freshly-prepared and well-earned nourishment wafted in the foreground. Despite our ravenous nature, it was silent— an Edward Abbey desert type silent— only the crackles of fire and some guttural exhales. Our earthy, cracked fingers spooned our neighbor’s and Brooke began, giving color to the words of Jamie Wheal. It was our version of grace and meaning was born from nothing.
A moment away from the grind of our lives. Unplugged from screens and ToDo lists.
Connected to mother nature, sunrise, sunset, fire, earth, stars and moon. Connected to our bodies, hearts and minds. Connected to each other, to purpose, and the meaning of our lives.
All of this, in a bang-up fun weekend of training, playing, listening, moving, learning and celebrating. With teachers, professional athletes, real estate tycoons, college students, fire fighters, coaches, REI legends, product managers, artists, musicians, lovers, and community.
All with the days growing longer. All leading up to the final night where we will shoot the moon, sweat our prayers and remember what we forgot. And once we remember that, we remember something else: this whole rewilding, regenerating, reconnecting, community thing– of finding our source, our place, and our people– wasn't nearly as hard as we might have come to believe.
Eat up, motherfuckers.