Bringing Awe Into Your Life in 2025- Can Retreat Help?

Buddha statue on one of our retreats

My family traveled to the secluded forests and wilderness, staying in a northern cabin for a peaceful weekend. Surrounded only by silence, snow, and the occasional dog sled tours passing by our snowy retreat, we found time to reflect on what we wanted to leave behind in 2024 and what we aimed to pursue in 2025. 

The challenging part for me was realizing that the darkness and difficulties of 2024, which I genuinely wish to leave behind, have brought me the gifts of wisdom and compassion. Perhaps it's more complex than simply leaving something behind in 2024 while anticipating something new in 2025. Maybe it's an organic transformation, allowing the hardships to shape and evolve into something more beneficial and beautiful. With this in mind, I hope to retain the wisdom and compassion while seeking more joy and wonder.

But what exactly is wonder? This leads me to ask you, dear reader... how do you define it, or better yet, experience wonder in your life? What are the elements that create this feeling? I believe it's an imperfect science, possibly a mix of stepping outside our comfort zone, being open to seeing or experiencing something with a beginner's mind, being present in the moment, and having a healthy dose of gratitude. Wonder can interrupt our repetitive thoughts, help us feel present, more alive, and bring us joy. I think wonder is the miracle of seeing something ordinary and recognizing it as extraordinary. Perhaps it's about slowing down enough and getting out of our heads to appreciate how beautiful life can be in the simplest ways. The internet describes wonder as:

"When experiencing awe, the brain activates regions that lead to a shift in perspective, reducing the focus on the self and increasing feelings of interconnectedness with something larger, often accompanied by the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, making you feel more positive and open to new experiences; essentially, awe can trigger a sense of wonder and curiosity, potentially enhancing creativity and compassion."

How do you relate to wonder? Upon reflection, I realize that wonder is available to me, ironically, because I am able to accept the darkness and difficulties I once wanted to escape. One of our goals in providing deeper connection retreats is to create an environment where awe can be experienced with trustworthy people in a secure setting, allowing participants to rediscover it and believe that it can be integrated into our lives.

~Angela