Category: Winter Retreat


Why request a prayer…why pray?

To begin, I realize “prayer” can be a loaded word: it has obvious religious overtones or connotations of belief in a higher power, may imply expectation of reward, or may perpetuate wishful thinking without action based on hope and fear….

Read More

What does it mean to truly “Come Home”?

“True refuge is that which allows us to be at home, at peace, to discover true happiness…Ultimately, it’s our own true nature.” – Tara Brach, True Refuge Confession: I set the theme of our annual retreats by meditating on what…

Read More

Meet Arwen Ek, your hostess for Winter Retreat 2019: Coming Home

As many of you know, I am the admin for this website, as well as the Founding Director of The Holistic Homestead. What you may not know, is that before I started the Homestead, I lived as a Buddhist Nun…

Read More

Announcing Winter Retreat 2019: Coming Home

Come home to your true self this February with The Holistic Homestead! Every winter we draw our energy inward, taking advantage of the slow and quiet time of the year to sip our tea and watch the snow fall. Even…

Read More

A successful Lean-In, stepping out

We finished our 5th annual Winter Retreat: Lean-In with a sound healing ceremony with Salvatore Vitale and Todd Abel playing quartz singing bowls, brass cymbals, wooden native flutes, native drums, chimes and crystals. More than just a performance, their offering…

Read More

Winter Retreat Day 6: Making the most of each moment

Read More

The health benefits of meditation, spirituality & prayer

“Historically one is inclined to look upon science and religion as irreconcilable antagonists…I maintain that cosmic religious feeling is the strongest and noblest incitement to scientific research…The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion…

Read More

Winter Retreat Day 4: the dynamic spirit

Dear Friends, I wanted to share an excerpt from our retreat this year, as an offering of peace and love to the world. We started with diving deeply into the ocean of intention from which our loving kindness and compassion…

Read More

Intention is 90% of the work

What is your intention as you enter any activity? Whether it’s healing work, spiritual work, or 9 to 5 work, what is your deeply held intention? May I suggest that our intentions set us up for success or failure, happiness…

Read More

Leaning-in to your Sacred Space

It’s already Thursday, February 15th, and our retreat begins on Sunday! Are you ready? Here are some ideas to inspire and prepare – and if you haven’t already – register now for our 5th annual Winter Retreat by clicking here!…

Read More