If you have long desired to escape the dog-eat-dog world that is the modern society, a weekend spent at a local spiritual retreat would probably do wonders in terms of bringing you back in touch with nature. There, you would have all the me-time required to bring you back into harmony with yourself and wear a spiritual t shirts online. While also getting to spend time with others of similar aspirations.

But the most common objection voiced by those unfamiliar with subjective spirituality (also known as gnosis; the acquisition of the first-hand experience) is that most holy practices are pagan in nature, and therefore, in conflict with their religious beliefs. Yet, there is no dogma involved in an action; every action is neutral, neither good nor bad, but rather, it is the intention behind it that separates a constructive act from a destructive one. Energy follows thought, as they say.

The average city-dweller has to contend with a lot in terms of exposure to toxic air, toxic food, and toxic people with their destructively toxic thoughts. Leaving one in a state of inner disarray as ones energies are constantly being scattered in an attempt to still be a productive functioning member of society. Unfortunately, the harm that comes from focusing on the material world at the expense of ones psychic faculties is well documented.

Many people opt out of the rat race, preferring to regularly take time out at holy communes than making themselves susceptible to the hosts of illnesses invited in by trying to stay on par with others in competition for a seemingly limited supply of resources. With a number of diseases being directly linked to the stresses of modern living, it stands to reason that many would seek alternative, healthier approaches to life.

And with many scientific journals highlighting our mental shortcomings as the cause of our physical failings, people in general have been eager to come to better understandings of how to better influence their minds into influencing their bodies back into health and well-being.

Feeling disillusioned that the side-effects of modern medicine often outweigh its benefits, many have begun resorting to the ancient, somewhat esoteric, practice of meditation whereas, prayer might entail projecting one's thoughts and desires toward the desired deity; meditation is the quieting of one's mind through a combination of breathing practices and visualization, making it open and receptive to any impressions from said deity. In short: if you would consider prayer as speaking; meditation would be the listening. Regular meditation is what develops your inner sense organs, giving you those biblical eyes to see and ears to hear.

And if you have ever been involved in a heated debate, you will know it is impossible to both listen and speak at the same time. So, the impossibility of achieving a proper meditative state (inner silence) while having to contend with your inner-dialogue (that constantly chattering voice in your head) has to lead many people, in their desperation, to seek out places of solitude. Many committing to spending weeks and months in total isolation from the world.

And one simply cannot place enough stock on the value of developing greater levels of focus and concentration, especially with the juggling act that is day-to-day living. Taking up a daily practice like mediation which can be achieved by simply getting into the habit of taking long, slow, and deep breaths is one of the simplest methods of reintroducing the mind-body mechanism back into its inherent, preferred state of health and wholeness.