Arrival in an Unknown World

Not particularly inclined towards wellness practices but nonetheless curious to discover what lies beneath, I challenged myself to participate in this retreat proposed by Aurélien Millot and his team.

On the first day, I arrived in an idyllic setting, a place perfectly suited for disconnecting from a personal and professional reality that can sometimes be difficult to manage. I meet the other people with whom I will share these few days, and with whom this retreat will ultimately take on its full meaning. Because, while we are here primarily to reconnect with our Self, the group makes it all the more meaningful.

What are we, without others? What identity do I have, without others?

After an introduction to wellness with Shambali, the program for the coming days is presented to us.

At first glance, it is dense, intense, varied and will undoubtedly appeal to everyone. The reason the proposed activities are so diverse is that they aim "to be intense and enriching. They incorporate a significant number of parameters and disciplines in order to guide our travelers on their path, to awaken them to new perceptions and spheres of consciousness".

And it begins now...!

Retreat in the Heart

The connection with my Self began with a rather simple question, yet one that resonated quite deeply: "Why do you live?"

It took me a while to grasp the profound meaning of the question, which ultimately challenged me not just about the meaning of life, but rather about the meaning I give, or wish to give to my life, until now, and until the end.

Through the exercises, activities, and encounters—especially the encounters—I allowed myself to explore my inner Self. Sometimes apprehensive, often curious, but above all eager to discover why I am here, "to become more receptive and experience life vibrating: the environment, nature, people... [...], to aspire to inner and outer harmony."

The breakthrough for me came during the Sufi music concert. I was then plunged into a state of altered consciousness whose effects were profoundly liberating. The vibrations of the different instruments allowed me to reach a dimension I had not been aware of before.

An incredible and unforgettable experience.

All the other activities I participated in, while not allowing me to fully achieve an "altered state," enabled me to refocus on myself and learn to listen to my Self, my body, my spirit.

And while it is not easy to grasp all the workings of our world, our body, and our spirit, I have now learned to see with my heart.