Travel journal from the Sacred Valley

Anne Bannister, Advisor + Storyteller

I recently returned from a retreat that I can only describe as a profound spiritual journey.

I went seeking clarity, grounding, and a pause – space to breathe amidst a job transition, global uncertainty, and heartbreak after losing my beloved dog, June. I felt the pull to slow down and reconnect with my body, my breath, and my being.

The retreat center was nestled into the side of a mountain in Peru’s Sacred Valley, a place deeply in tune with nature and sacred traditions passed down through generations. We were warmly welcomed into the embrace of Pachamama, or Mother Earth.

We practiced yoga twice a day and hiked along paths through the Andes mountains. We ate food grown in the gardens on-site and planted trees in return for the gifts the land gave us. We participated in healing ceremonies that grounded us in gratitude for the earth, our ancestors, and one another.

During a half-day Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony, I confronted my claustrophobia and learned to trust, surrender, and go deeper into meditation.

I made 20 new friends, kindred spirits bonded through shared vulnerability and reflection. Our guides, Valereo and Julian, led us through Incan ruins, artisan villages, and breathtaking natural wonders, encouraging us to pause, give thanks, and notice the abundance surrounding us.

Then there was Machu Picchu. The majesty of it is indescribable. Standing between the mother and father mountains, I was overcome with emotion and awe. The Incas chose this place not only for its defensibility or fertility, but for its spiritual energy – the powerful connection between earth and sky.

This journey reminded me that gratitude creates abundance. Connection is healing. My answers lie within. And rain is a sacred blessing.

I returned home lighter, clearer, and with renewed commitment to tending to the land and community around me.

Clarity in year three