What Happens When You Do Nothing for 5 days?

People sometimes ask me, “What do you actually do at the Do Nothing Retreat?”

The simple answer is that we create a safe and supportive space for you to become still.

For five days at Drala Mountain Center, we step away from the normal inputs of everyday life. We spend time in silence, practice meditation, walk lightly in nature, and allow ourselves to notice what is happening inside. For driven people, this can feel unusual. So much of life is spent tending to responsibilities, relationships, work, family, community, and the many people who may depend on us. There is rarely much space left to simply be with ourselves.

When that space opens, things begin to arise. Thoughts. Emotions. Feelings. Body sensations. Some of what comes up may be uncomfortable. Other moments can be incredibly beautiful. With time, something else often begins to emerge: clarity. You begin to see what has been beneath all the activity. You may notice places where you have been trying to control outcomes, pushing away emotions, or moving so quickly that you have lost touch with yourself.

The retreat gives you an opportunity to practice being with whatever arises without immediately reacting to it. That practice comes home with you. You may begin to pause more often. Listen more closely. Respond more thoughtfully. Meet yourself and others with greater compassion, patience, kindness, and love. This is one of the reasons many people return to the retreat year after year.

Recently, Robbie Rettmer, Executive Director of Drala Mountain Center, sat down with me to talk about the retreat, why I created it, what happens during the five days, and what I have seen people experience. You can watch our conversation here. At its heart, Do Nothing is about you. It is an opportunity to reconnect with your true self and return to your life with a little more clarity and peace.

Maybe slowing down really does help us get where we are going.

Wishing you lots of joy and peace.

Much love ♥
Rob