What I Got From a Recent Royal Way Retreat

Attending a Royal Way retreat at Royal Way Spiritual Center is like no other experience. It is not merely an escape or a time to reenergize—it is truly a life-changing event. I’ve been to several Royal Way retreats now. Each one has the power to change how I relate to myself and the world. The retreats are experiential, deep, and, really, a lot of fun. They elevate me and open my heart, bringing confidence, joy, excitement, and gratitude.

Dropping the Past

My most recent retreat was particularly impactful. I had a profound experience of dropping the past. From that space, love blossomed, and I had a deep understanding that each day and each moment is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated.

Dropping the past is a fundamental teaching from Dr. Michael Gottlieb, master teacher and founder of Royal Way, whose teachings are infused in everything we do in Royal Way. When we cling to the past, Michael teaches, we are unavailable to the present. But in the present is where life is happening, where everything good and possible happens. Michael writes, “All that is possible, including your ultimate potential—that is, higher consciousness, transcendence, transformation, the divine eternal—is all here and now. Everything else is an illusion of the ego-mind.”

I have found that the more I embrace these teachings, the more they continue to unfold. They have infinite depth and constant relevance. They carry through into every aspect of my life.

Feeling Joy in the Moment

The practical applications of dropping the past and feeling joy in each moment were immediately evident. For example, I find I am much more patient with my three-year-old son. If he’s restless and we’re up late, fantastic. I lie on the floor next to him and we talk about the fun highlights of his day. Early morning wake-up? What an opportunity. We can snuggle in bed, read a book, play basketball. Crying at the market? That’s okay. I take joy in being a father who is strong and comforting.

Meeting Business Challenges

I take the same approach with business challenges. Having a lot of work or having challenging work is not a reason to be stressed. It’s an opportunity to feel abundant—to enjoy the process of creating a memorable product for a client. Dealing with a tough client is now an opportunity to listen, to be clear and grounded, and to transform the entire interaction into a pleasant and productive experience.

Feeling Providership

I’ve also felt more powerful as a provider for my family. I make sure my wife’s needs are taken care of and that she feels supported. This could range from ensuring that I am home to help with our son’s bath to taking care of and communicating about financial matters. Or I might simply give her a hug and tell her how much I love her. All of it is done with joy and gratitude: joy for the fulfillment that comes with each interaction, and gratitude for my beautiful family.

Experiencing God

Ultimately, my retreat experience opened up the opportunity to experience God. That is the essence of Royal Way. That is the essence of Michael Gottlieb’s teachings. My moments of joy and gratitude are reflections of the divinity within me. Michael says something wonderful and exciting about the experience of God: “I teach: If God is joy, if God is bliss—and everyone agrees God is the greatest bliss —then the only way to God is bliss and joy and pleasure.” What an incredible way to live life. The experience of God radiates throughout my daily life. Experiencing joy is the path to God.

Understanding the Value of a Spiritual Community

The Royal Way spiritual community is also a powerful tool for keeping me at a higher level of consciousness. Being surrounded by people who are committed to a spiritual quest is inspiring and elevating. And that is an opportunity to everyone who seeks it. A unique bond forms when I tell a friend about a Royal Way retreat. A friendship that was strong grows stronger as they have deep experiences of their own. As a result, we keep the connection strong through discussions about the teachings, and share experiences and milestones of growth and change.

Enjoying the Beauty of Royal Way Ranch

And of course, there’s the Ranch itself at Royal Way Spiritual Center. This treasure in the foothills of the high desert mountains has a unique energy. The Ranch is a reflection of the beauty, growth, expansiveness, clarity, bliss, and adventure that is part of every retreat. Being able to integrate the Ranch into my retreat experience elevates everything.

As I think about my next Royal Way retreat, I am filled with excitement. I know viscerally the power that it carries. I know how one or two days can completely change my life. I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to return to Royal Way Spiritual Center, to learn more, to grow more, to experience God—there and throughout my daily life.