Grateful for this beautiful encounter ✨
I had the honor of guiding a seeker from abroad in a sacred session here at our Temple 🌿💫
Our work goes beyond borders, languages, and cultures — it’s about connection, healing, and expansion of consciousness. 🌎✨
📩 If you feel the call, reach out and join us in this sacred experience in Rio de Janeiro.
Circulo Sagrado 7 Encruzilhadas ✨
#Ayahuasca #SpiritualHealing #SacredMedicine #SpiritualJourney #HealingEnergy #SpiritualRetreat #PlantMedicine
Careful where you end up
I’ve had a situation recently where I thought I was entering a sanctuary — a place of peace, healing, and connection — in reality, it turned out to be a glorified work camp. The experience was enlightening, in a dark kind of way.
I really love the idea of a sanctuary, a refuge from the insanity of our modern capitalist world. There are all kinds of sanctuaries. Some are totally natural, an others maybe following a specific spiritual path. Either way, it’s nice to have a place that’s far removed from employment, technology, and the rat race. There is something about just being with natural rhythms that is better
Sanctuary is a place set apart as a refuge of safety, peace, and renewal. At its root, the word means “sacred space”– originally the innermost part of a temple where one could encounter the divine, and later a place where people could seek shelter and protection..
One of my favorites is Garths Boulder Gardens, near Joshua Tree in Landers, California. It’s 640 acres — an entire square mile — of desert boulders, caves, and gardens. People have lived there in a relatively free and creative way for decades. I spent a year there myself, so I know it well.
Garth would occasionally say that if people could put in a couple of hours of work a day, that would be enough to take care of the place, but he would never really ask people directly to work. He would always leave it as a possibility or suggestion. Many visitors didn’t contribute much at all, but others worked out of self-motivation, planting gardens, building new spaces, cooking meals, or caring for others. My own contribution was to build one new cob structure every month. Over twelve months I finished twelve projects — my favorites being the Frog Oven and the Boulder Cave, both of which were used often for years afterward. Other residents had their own projects too — gardens, caregiving, cooking, smoothie-making, whatever!
Boulder Gardens is pretty remote, but people worldwide came to visit, sometimes a day, sometimes a week, and sometimes a year (as in my case). The fridges were usually full and “free game” because short-term visitors would leave behind so much food, so there was always something to eat for the seven to ten of us long term residents. Days were magical. I remember early-morning coffee and movie nights with Garth, who gave the place its soul. Garth has since passed on, but my understanding is that the mission has been to keep things as close as possible to the way he intended.
Frog OvenSo Boulder Gardens is a true sanctuary. because of the voluntary contributions and minimal obligations, it truly a unique kind of place. It honors creative energy, not forced labor. A place where people can rest, heal, and also express themselves.
But there’s a darker side. There are other places that call themselves sanctuaries but operate more like work camps. In those places you’re not really invited to rest or heal — you’re expected to put in hours of unpaid labor. The work is often presented as necessary and critical, but in reality it’s a shift away from the true spirit of sanctuary and into productivity.
I was at one of these “sanctuaries” recently, traveling there about five times in total over a couple of months. It was an absolutely beautiful location, and one of the most remote places I’ve ever been. While there, I helped out a lot. My partner and I completely cleaned out one house, then a second as well. We scrubbed and sterilized kitchens and bathrooms full of rat droppings. We moved mulch and put protective cages around trees. A front door was repaired here, a wall repaired there. Chickens were fed, goats were milked, gardens were watered — plus hours of travel time, the cost of gasoline, and even spare tires. We jumped to every request made of us.
But it wasn’t for me. The vibe of the place was made crystal clear when I got an email today saying (and these are the property owner’s actual words):
“I am a laborer on this land and anyone else that comes out here also has to wear that hat as well. This is get-your-hands-dirty hard work…. This is not going to be a good fit for you.”
So basically, if you go there you are not a guest — you’re expected to take on the same physical burdens as the landholder. Infrastructure projects are the focus. There is no invitation into silence, spirit, or rest, only into labor. Interestingly, this landlord has a PhD in Theology.
Finally, in the process of helping, I injured myself badly enough to need six stitches in my knee. And then that email came today, which quite literally added insult to injury.
A while back I read Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Written in the 1990s, it imagined what California might be like in 2025, (now!) I actually wish I had never read the book because it is such a depressing novel. People were just evil. Work camps were the norm, resembling the Russian gulags. People were dying left and right, and others were enslaved with electronic collars they couldn’t remove, collars that would shock them into submission. A Trump-like figure was fanning the flames of Christian extremism.
In the midst of it all, the protagonist, Lauren Olamina, is trying to create a spiritual philosophy called Earthseed. Its central belief is “God is Change.” Out of this vision, she and her followers eventually establish a community on farmland in Northern California — a sanctuary among the collapse of a moral society, one that she hopes will carry humanity to the stars, and beyond.
I identify with her because I, along with quite a few others I know, am also trying to create sanctuary in the midst of all this chaos. I think this is what people mean when they say “this is a spiritual war against good and evil”. Though we are not in complete social collapse yet, I do see the declining trend here. I think it take maybe another generation. But Butler has positive words also, which echo across time:
“Kindness eases Change. Love quiets fear.” — Parable of the Talents
The heart of sanctuary isn’t labor camps or forced productivity, but kindness, love, and the space to rest and grow. I think it’s a vision worth holding onto, even in a world that often pushes the opposite.
https://bookwyrm.social/book/175137/s/octavia-e-butlers-parable-of-the-sower
#OctaviaButler #ParableOfTheSower #Earthseed #SpiritualGrowth #Sanctuary #WorkCamp #EcoSpirituality #SpiritualRefuge #IntentionalCommunity #AlternativeLiving #BoulderGardens
https://redecker.vivaldi.net/2025/09/25/spiritual-sanctuary-or-spiritual-work-camp/
#Sanctuary #AlternativeLiving #bouldergardens #Earthseed #EcoSpirituality #garthsbouldergardens #IntentionalCommunity #JoshuaTree #OctaviaButler #ParableOfTheSower #SpiritualGrowth #spirituality #SpiritualRefuge #spiritualretreat #WorkCamp
The Spiritual Retreat commenced this evening in the serene atmosphere of Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari. The retreat was inaugurated with the inspiring Ashirvachan of Mananeeya Rekha Davey Didi, All India Joint General Secretary of VRM & VK. A total of 47 participants have joined this journey of inner exploration and self-reflection.
जीवन को आध्यात्म की रोशनी से आलोकित करें ✨
स्वामी विवेकानन्द की तपोभूमि कन्याकुमारी में —
8 अगस्त से आरंभ हो रहा है 'आध्यात्मिक शिविर'।
स्वयं को जानने की इस यात्रा में आप सादर आमंत्रित हैं।🕉️
📍स्थान: विवेकानन्दपुरम्, कन्याकुमारी
🔗 पंजीकरण करें: vrmvk.org/camps
#VivekanandaKendra #SpiritualRetreat #Kanyakumari #स्वामीविवेकानन्द
The Spiritual Retreat concluded today, leaving behind a trail of wisdom and inspiration. ✨ Grateful for Ma. Balakrishnan Ji’s keen interest in the participants, making the experience even more meaningful. May we all continue this journey of spirituality and selfless action! 🙏💫 #SpiritualRetreat #KarmaYoga #SelfDiscovery #InnerTransformation #SpiritualWisdom #VivekanandaKendra #YogaLife #Meditation #Seva
The Spiritual Retreat has commenced at Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari (pilgrimagetopeace), with 104 participants embarking on a journey of self-discovery and inner transformation. 🌿✨ Stay connected for more glimpses of this transformative journey! 📸
#SpiritualRetreat #Vivekanandapuram #PilgrimageToPeace #Yoga #Meditation #SelfDiscovery #InnerTransformation #Peace #Mindfulness #Kanyakumari #VivekanandaKendra
✨ *Sadhana Shivir Begins!* ✨
On the auspicious occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (as per Tithi), the first-ever *Sadhana Shivir* exclusively for those aged 65 and above commenced at Vivekanandapuram (@pilgrimagetopeace), Kanyakumari. 🌅
A journey of inner peace and spiritual awakening starts here. 🙏
#SadhanaShivir #SwamiVivekanandaJayanti #Vivekanandapuram #PilgrimageToPeace #SpiritualRetreat #KanyakumariVibes
✨ Individual Ayahuasca Experience
🔹Ideal for International Travelers, Beginners and Those Seeking a Personalized and Individual Experience Focused on Their Personal Needs🔹
✨Embark on a transformative and personalized journey in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Individual Ayahuasca Experience is perfect for those seeking self-discovery, healing and spiritual growth.
#ayahuascariodejaneiro
#ayahuasca
#sacredcircle7crossroads
#spiritualretreat
#sayahuascaceremony
#integrativetherapy
#rj
✨ Individual Ayahuasca Experience
🔹Ideal for International Travelers, Beginners and Those Seeking a Personalized and Individual Experience Focused on Their Personal Needs🔹
✨Embark on a transformative and personalized journey in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Individual Ayahuasca Experience is perfect for those seeking self-discovery, healing and spiritual growth.
#sacredcircle7crossroads
#spiritualretreat
#sayahuascaceremony
#integrativetherapy
#ritualayahuascar
Today's #SpiritualRetreat highlight: Visiting the awe-inspiring #ViveknandaRockMemorial and meditating on Dhyan Mandapam. A truly unique experience!
Small glimpses of #SpiritualRetreat at Kanyakumari. Finding peace amidst the waves and ancient wisdom. Follow us for more #KanyakumariVibes #InnerPeace
#SpiritualRetreat at Kanyakumari started with Bhajan Sandhya & Introduction Session. Ma. Rekha Didi, (All India Joint-General Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari) explains about spiritual things of #kanyakumari. Aa. Radha Didi, (Prant Sangathak, Dakshin Prant, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari) explains about #SpiritualRetreat.
Don't miss your chance to join us for a life-changing experience at #SpiritualRetreat. Register Now: https://www.vrmvk.org/content/spiritual-retreat-kanyakumari #Yoga #VivekanandaKendra #Kanyakumari
Perfecting Our Simran Practice - Baba Ram Singh Satsang: https://youtu.be/Ue1WVkZKrDE?t=926
#simran #meditation #Satsang #SpiritualRetreat #SantMat #Radhasoami
यह शिविर आपके जीवन में एक नया बदलाब ला सकता है, आज ही पंजीयन कीजिये: https://www.vrmvk.org/content/spiritual-retreat-kanyakumari
Don't miss your chance to join us for a life-changing experience through Spiritual Retreat. Register Now: https://www.vrmvk.org/content/spiritual-retreat-kanyakumari #SpiritualRetreat #Yoga #VivekanandaKendra
इस अवसर को न चूकें, अभी पंजीकरण करें : https://www.vrmvk.org/content/spiritual-retreat-kanyakumari #SpiritualRetreat #VivekanandaKendra #Yoga
Comment on your question related to Spiritual Retreat, We will give answers in social media on Fri, July 12, 2024. #AskYourQuestion #SpiritualRetreat #VivekanandaKendra
Make your retreat center shine online! Top WordPress themes to create a stunning & booking-friendly website.
https://wpwax.com/best-retreat-center-wordpress-themes/
#retreatcenter #retreatwebsite #wordpress #wordpressthemes #wordpresswebsite #wellnessretreat #yogaretreat #meditationretreat #spiritualretreat
