REPRINTED FROM A TWEET THREAD My Life-Changing Journey in the Buddha Cave (Dark Retreat) Eldar Israfilli @EIsrafilli Welcome to my little corner of wisdom! It's an honor to share daily nuggets of inspiration with you. May these words bring you joy, peace, and clarity on your journey. Have you ever felt the need to disconnect from the chaos of the world and satisfy your spiritual curiosity? I certainly have. That's why I started my year with a transformative journey in the Buddha Cave in Guatemala, spending four days in complete darkness. What I experienced was nothing short of life-changing. The first day was a shock to my system. Being in complete darkness was a challenge, and I had to rely on my other senses to navigate my surroundings. I challenged myself to complete all the planned activities for the day, including yoga and breath work, on my own. Despite the initial difficulty of navigating in complete darkness, I found the inner strength to push through and accomplish what I set out to do. Without the ability to see, even small missteps can be potentially hazardous or result in lost items. Being mindful of every thought and movement helped me to navigate the experience successfully and safely. Day two was a different story. I struggled with intrusive sexual thoughts and cringe-worthy memories from my past. I was able to breathe through it all sinking deeper into a meditative state. It was as if the constant production of melatonin made relaxation easy to achieve. I was able to fully embrace the meditative state without even trying. On day three, I delved into shadow work, a practice that involves exploring the parts of ourselves that we keep hidden from others. Memories from my childhood resurfaced, and I was able to examine how those moments had impacted my present behavior. It was truly a powerful experience that helped me understand myself better. The final day in the Buddha Cave took me to new depths in meditation. While visions still came to me, I also glimpsed into a sense of oneness. It was as if I had connected with a higher power, a feeling that was both humbling and empowering. The Dark Retreat experience was transformative. It allowed me to connect with my inner self, challenge my perceptions of reality, and gain a fresh perspective on life. I left the cave feeling renewed, with a deeper understanding of myself and a greater appreciation for the power of the mind. If you're considering embarking on a similar journey, I encourage you to take the leap. The Dark retreat experience may be challenging, but the rewards are immense. It's an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings, and to emerge from the darkness with a renewed sense of purpose. COMMENTS Eldar's Response Thank you for your kind words, Yael! I completely agree that integration is a vital part of any spiritual experience, and I made sure to plan for it ahead of time. After my journey, I spent some time in Guatemala to allow myself the space and time I needed to integrate the experience. Coming back to reality was a gradual process, but I was fortunate to have created a peaceful environment for myself over the past 5 years that made the transition easier. How about you? How did you approach it? Eldar's Response Yes, my experience in the dark retreat did feel like a rebirth, in a sense. Being cut off from external stimuli and spending extended periods of time in meditation and reflection allowed me to go deep within myself and confront aspects of my psyche that I had been avoiding or suppressing. When I emerged from the retreat, I felt a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, and a deep gratitude for the simple joys of life. In terms of positive benefits, I feel more centered, calm, and focused, and have a greater sense of inner peace. I have also developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others, which has improved my relationships and interactions with those around me. As for negatives, I can’t think of anything at this moment. I appreciate your questions 🙏🏼✨
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2023
|