This week I'll be doing a meditation retreat, the first time I've ever done anything like this alone. Not that I'll be far from people, I'll still be in the school, just steps from my neighbors, but my classmates won't be meditating together with me. I'm curious to see what difference that makes in my experience, real alone time is something pretty rare around here. I'm also setting my own schedule and tailoring certain aspects to suit me more. Normally we restrict ourselves to consuming mostly medicinal teas and fruit, occasionally the school will make a special 'light' meal for us but it's usually still pretty oily and salty (like all food in China) so I don't like it much. This time I'm experimenting with reducing my sugar intake even more by eating less fruit and replacing it with herbal vegetable broth. I'm not sure but I think that will be more nourishing and warming, thus easier on my digestive system.

My intention here is to combine a bit of a physical cleanse with a mental/emotional one. I wouldn't say I'm someone with a lot of baggage but anything as challenging as these last 5 years have been is bound to cause growing pains. I'd like to let go of some of that stuff. Hopefully in doing so, I can continue to grow in as healthy as way as possible (my main goal for this year was to be happier and healthier). In releasing my past I'd like to become more relaxed and aware in the present and learn to trust in my own guidance.

I'm not sure how long this retreat will last, I'm going to play it be ear, but I'll be sure to write a bit about it after I'm done.