Listen now
In this heartfelt episode, Sean Fargo reflects on the life-changing impact of mindfulness retreats — both as a practitioner and teacher. He shares personal stories from his time as a Buddhist monk, leading and attending retreats, and explains how periods of deep practice away from everyday distractions can be one of the most powerful tools for transformation. Whether you're new to retreats or considering leading one yourself, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight into how retreats can elevate your mindfulness journey.
This episode is sponsored by the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. Learn more about this unique, online, self-paced program at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Why retreats are uniquely powerful for mindfulness growth
Unlike daily practice, retreats allow you to step away from the noise and stimulation of everyday life. This immersion creates space to meet yourself fully — your thoughts, your patterns, your emotions — without distraction. Sean explains that retreats offer a rare chance to cultivate deep awareness, concentration, and compassion, which can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth.
How discomfort on retreat can lead to emotional insight and healing
Retreats often strip away the comforts and distractions we rely on, which can be unsettling at first. Sean shares candid stories of judgment, boredom, cravings, and resistance that surfaced during his time in austere hermitages in China. Yet, through mindfulness, he learned to gently meet those feelings with compassion, ultimately transforming discomfort into clarity and self-understanding.
The importance of letting go of expectations before and during retreats
One of the most important lessons Sean offers is to enter retreat without rigid expectations. Each retreat is different — what arises may surprise you. When we hold onto ideas about how things should go, we block ourselves from being present with what’s actually happening. Sean emphasizes that softening expectations creates openness, resilience, and trust in the process.
How to support your nervous system after a retreat ends
Coming out of retreat can feel like re-entering a different world. The sensitivity cultivated during extended silence and stillness often leads to a form of “reverse culture shock.” Sean recommends creating a buffer between retreat and reentry — spending time in nature, moving slowly, and maintaining boundaries — to help preserve the insight and peace gained during the retreat experience.
Practical advice for leading retreats as a mindfulness teacher
If you’re interested in leading retreats, Sean offers reassurance: it’s often easier and more rewarding than many assume. He shares reflections on what makes a retreat agenda meaningful, how to incorporate flexibility, and the value of teaching with gentleness, presence, and authenticity — especially when guiding others through difficult inner terrain.
Why gentleness is essential when practicing and teaching on retreat
Mindfulness retreats are already challenging by nature. Sean urges both teachers and practitioners to approach themselves and others with softness. He explains how “gentle awareness,” rather than fierce pushing or analysis, often creates the most spaciousness and healing. This theme of compassion and non-judgment runs throughout the episode and applies to every stage of the retreat journey.
