Sometimes the Universe makes it evidently clear where you need to be; in my personal experience, I am always led to the ends of the earth that will bring me closer to my true self (even if those places are a short flight away). There is a little-known town outside of Los Angeles called Ojai. The existence of this spiritual retreat remained unbeknownst to me until my lovely Airbnb host in Hawaii brought it to my awareness. As we discussed her past life career as a screenwriter, she mentioned a retreat where Hollywood writers would go to clear their mind and reconnect to their spiritual self (thereby giving their writing a major boost of creativity).
As a writer and spiritual seeker, my interest was more than piqued. I know better than to ignore the nudge of the Universe, and after a quick bout of research, I booked a ticket to this quiet town. The Topatopa Mountains, Kuyam treatments of the Chumash Native American Indian tribe, energy vortexes, home of the late Krishnamurti—I soon saw why my soul is called to the spiritual valley.
I have quite the work ethic, so my need for retreat is amplified tenfold. I had planned on a romantic getaway with my soulmate to San Francisco, but my intuition told me that a quiet, weekend getaway to Ojai would better suit our souls.
It is essential sometimes to go into retreat, to stop everything that you have been doing, to stop your experiences completely and look at them anew, not keep on repeating them like machines. You would then let fresh air into your mind. Wouldn’t you? This place must be of great beauty with trees, birds, and quietness, for beauty is truth and truth is goodness and love."
-J. Krishnamurti
My adventurous soul seeks out experiences that broaden my spiritual horizons, further connecting me to my truth and to the oneness of all living things (both of this world and above). It is my personal belief that experience is what enriches the soul; traveling to spiritual destinations to greet the people, cultures and spirit-infused lands is my jam, my soul's jam.
Feed your soul what it asks for.
It is within these hidden places where modern-day culture has not yet tainted the natural state of living that I find the most sacred source of wisdom. And from first appearances, Ojai still maintains that pureness of life that draws me in. No matter how many restaurateurs or developers haul in their farm-to-table restaurants or luxury inns, Ojai still holds the essence that once drew the foremost spiritual seekers to its quiet hideaway.
The Native Chumash Indians cultivated the land known as "Valley of the Moon" before the philosopher and sage, Krishnamurti settled here in the 1920s. The town received its reputation as a spiritual mecca after Krishnamurti experienced enlightenment beneath a tree in the Ojai valley. The pureness of his teachings drew plenty of artists, musicians, writers and actors in the 1960s including John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Jackson Pollack.
I already feel the tug of my soul as I picture my sweet soulmate and myself walking hand-in-hand along the picturesque views of the valley and town. When living in alignment with your soul's truth, life has a way of planting you exactly where you need to be for further enlightenment and transformation. From a small, ordinary park in the East Village where I met two, young Buddhists and then experienced enlightenment beneath the tree where the Hare Krishna Movement was founded to the vortex in the Iao Valley in Maui to the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens where I meditated alongside two Zen Buddhists in the nearby creek, the Universe is always guiding my spirit to little-known spaces of spiritual grandeur (so long as I heed the call).
One week from today, I will be sitting in the Hummingbird House with the sweetest man, exploring the local grounds chalk full of chickens, goats, lavender, sage, and yes, hummingbirds. The home itself was blessed by a Native Chumash elder, and I have faith that the humble abode will in fact bless us in countless ways (along with the land that surrounds it).
There is only so much time we have on this Earth, so I plan to spend it seeing every corner which fills my spirit and advances my soul. I can hardly believe that I connected with a fellow soul whose adventurous nature matches mine. I will no doubt return with anecdotes abound of the many ways in which my spirit soared while in this hideaway retreat.
Remain open to the gifts of the Earth while on the Earth. There is no amount of material wealth that can match the richness of experience. For me, money will always be a means to afford experiences; you cannot take paper with you. Once your soul is touched, it remains forever moved by the entranced riches of experience.