I don’t remember any of your names but somehow I love you all.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what these silent retreats are all about. I think it’s different for everyone, but there is a beautiful opportunity in this container for healing. A chance to open to forgiveness, acceptance and love… first for ourselves and then for the world around us. It may not be why people sign up, but it seems to be the underlying invitation.

My dog Bella loves to snuggle up with me in the early morning as the sun begins to peek through the windows. It warms my heart and it makes me wonder if dogs feel love like we do. As we lie there together cheek to cheek (this is her favorite position), I realize that she’s inviting me into presence. And that this presence magically opens my heart and feels like love.

It happens on every retreat. At least one person confesses, “I don’t remember any of your names but somehow I love you all.” And all that happened was that we were present with ourselves and with each other. What a simple and amazing phenomenon.