I just came back from a blissful five-day meditation retreat at a Canadian ashram, and several of those days were in silence. I, like many, when we were allowed to come out of the silence wanted to stay and burrow myself in it more!

I thought what a gift it was that I gave myself - the chance to calm and quiet my mind and release the mental toxins, just as I would give myself a massage for my body to release its toxins.

When I came out I was so much more focused with less mental clutter, so at peace and had such a stillness that permeated my being. It becomes effortless to see yourself in others and to feel the connectivity that binds us all.

It is my intention now to do this at least annually as a mental retreat and a chance to really go deep into myself, to get lost in the Self..... when do ever get a chance to do that?? :)