The most popular and controversial of recent fads is that of delving into the spiritual and metaphysical. They're nice big words to drop in any conversation and immediately make you sound open-minded and adventurous. And besides, the mystery implied never did anyone harm.
For the unaware, the 21st Century is officially considered the Age of The Aquarian - full of exploration, invention, genius and escape from the norm. As advertising is never far behind a popular concept, the next few years will probably also be the best for the Age of The Retreat.
You know, the beautifully designed, carefully constructed mini-villages set in picturesque countryside, mysteriously (there's that word again!) hidden behind elegant, high walls or graceful hedges to keep away prying eyes. Just a few years ago, a retreat brought images of the confused celebrity or the addicted affluent being helped to re-grasp a normal, sane life. Today, retreats are the must-do for the new-age city dweller.
Unwilling to change track from heading towards the inevitable moral destruction that awaits it, the world has decided to get rid of its guilt and at least try to enjoy the ride. Enter the Retreat: a place to de-tox, leave behind the immorality of the city and be at one with pure, unadulterated humanity. Seven to ten days of this apparently leaves the human spirit refreshed and rejuvenated enough to face the harsh world for another stint of materialism and worldliness.
Which makes me sit back and smile in wonder at the treasure of knowledge that God has bestowed upon all of us in plain view. A treasure we studiously ignore every single day.
Where the world reaches out starved spiritual hands (and healthy wallets) for the revolutionary retreat, Islam brings it home to Muslims very year, without fail. It takes no stretch of imagination to see the similarities between the concept of the retreat and Ramadan.
In 30 days of this month, Muslims are given the chance to change their eating habits (de-tox), their manners and character (morality) and to address their efforts solely to the journey towards Allah (being at one with them selves). They also get the added benefit of being exposed to positive vibes (the doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are wide open), to communicating with the invisible energies around them (reading the Qur'an and praying) and developing better social ties (sharing iftarand good times!).
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