Monday, 05 August 2013
  1 Replies
  2.5K Visits
I had the great fortune to attend the 2013 retreat in Hereford, England. Being someone who has not only watched gnosticteachings.org grow from the early 2000's, but was able to help contribute to the movement in a variety of ways throughout the years. It is a wonderful pleasure now to see so many of Samael Aun Weor's books available to the public. When I first got involved there were only a few hand bound, photocopied books!

Ever since they started putting on retreats, I was always planning on going to one...but circumstances always prevented me. Year after year, many of my friends and fellow students experienced the deep fulfillment of attending, while I struggled to make ends meet and hoped for a window in my responsibilities. It never happened until last year when I left Canada and moved out to the UK, leaving everything behind. A lifelong dream of studying artistic speech finally fructified, and a new path opened up for me. This tremendous moment in my biography, was not without difficulties. I was stretched in so many ways. As the time of the retreat grew nearer, I realized I couldn't go. My funds were drastically low, and I had still not found any work. I barely had enough for food. A friend from London at the last minute offered me up her ticket to me for free, since she had been on a number of retreats already, and I hadn't. It was at that moment that I was notified by one of the retreat coordinators that someone had donated a sponsorship so that I could attend the retreat. Praise the Gods! This was so amazing that I couldn't turn it down...it was all too unexpected. But the only way I could go was for the last 3 days, since my school was happening at the same time as the retreat. I realized that my obligations to my colleagues and teachers were of increasing importance, since we were preparing for the end of year oral exams along with a final public recital. This was coinciding with the planned retreat which I so longed to attend. After to speaking to the retreat coordinator, I was told that this was not a problem.

When I arrived in the evening, I was greeted warmly by everyone by an open fire, and made it just on time to do an egg-cleanse! It was nice to see some familiar faces I've met over the years. So for the next 3 days, it was a full-on intense psycho-spiritual workout. Waking up at 5:30am for group meditation, and going strong throughout the well-structured day with Runes, Lamasery exercises, afternoon Meditations, Vocalizations, Lectures, Walks, evening Meditations, Cleansings, and more. Everyone was not only dedicated to the inner work, but joyful, wise and humorous as well throughout. A nice bonus was that the food prepared by the kitchen team was fresh, hearty and organic.

As I imagine all retreat settings are beautiful, we were quite spoiled by the lovely English countryside, with its rolling hills, singing fields, the unique Hereford cows, and the majestic interplay of the sun on the different shades of green. Stumbling on a open field we were greeted by horses grazing in a meadow, who came right up to us to chat! Lol. It was great to connect with people from around the world (10 different countries), and talk about our experiences of life and of gnosis. I even met the individual who sponsored me, and was able to thank him and tell him my story, so that there was a face behind his donation. I also ran into someone who I lent a couple Litelantes books to in 2002, but never heard from him again. He remembered me and told me the story of his computer drive failing and not being able to get a hold of me after that. After years of praying to get these ultra-rare books back, I finally did! On the last night by the bonfire, we had an artistic sharing where some of us told stories. I found this very important and fitting as a conclusion to the retreat. I hope the gnosticteachings can incorporate artistic sharings at the conclusions of their events in future as well.

Of course, I haven't elaborated on my inner experiences of the retreat since this would take up quite a bit of time and writing space. But generally I will say that my first retreat experience was not only met, but exceeded. It was an inspiration I'll never forget, with lasting effects on my soul I can still feel today. It has given me a great boost of inner and outer energy for my spiritual work and I wholeheartedly recommend going to one if you are ever able to! I'm so happy and grateful to have gone and thank the Lords who helped to bring this about.

Thank you also to those who work and volunteer at gnosticteachings.org, and to those who continue to publish the books of Samael Aun Weor, to whom none of this would be possible.

...may the Muses be with you!

-R

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10 years ago
·
#4730
Accepted Answer
Thank you and God bless you.

Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book,
and to loose the seven seals thereof. - Revelation 5: 5

10 years ago
·
#4730
Accepted Answer
Thank you and God bless you.

Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book,
and to loose the seven seals thereof. - Revelation 5: 5

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