The Fortress of Solitude was Superman’s home base. This was where he rested. This was where he came to look for answers. He often allowed his mind and body to heal in this location. This base was the source of his past, present and future.

Of course we are not superheroes in comic books… or are we?

Each one of our lives can parallel a heroic journey. This concept has been explored by Joseph Campbell’s Mythic Journey. His belief is that humans follow a Jungian Archetypal journey that unfolds as we meet various characters, obstacles, and opportunities in life.

One of the most important concepts for any sage or superhero was a place of retreat. The most powerful of patrons, saints and gurus have a special little spot they call their own. We all need this safe haven. This retreat allows us to get away from our manifested reality. Here we can remove ourselves from the daily grind to provide opportunities for self reflection, meditation and processing.

We often put on various different masks and acts to conduct our day to day lives. In this retreat, we allow ourselves to let go of this façade and become our original true selves. We can relax and breathe. We can escape from other’s judgments and let go of our own self criticisms.

We can sit at peace and not let the worldly issues consume us. This is where we can recharge ourselves at any moment we feel the need.

Find Your Retreat

1. Have daily retreat to escape to.

My “Fortress of Solitude” is my bedroom. It is here I let go of the illusions of reality and become my true authentic self. Every morning I allow this retreat to cleanse my energy to start my day. Every evening, I retreat to my bedroom to reflect upon my day and the wisdoms and truth I learned.

I often have mini retreats in my car as I drive to and from work. I am alone… not having the need to be anyone more than who I really am.

This retreat starts simply in the mind. Where can you go that you allow yourself to be alone, at peace, and reflective?

Some of us have magical spots around our neighborhoods that fulfill this purpose. Ocean cliffs to spiritual gardens are often great locations to find a personal retreat. Nature is an amazingly healing force.

What are yours? Your den? Your shower? Your front porch?

2. Have a special destination to retreat to.

Two to four times a year, I have road trips or vacationing spots that I can retreat to. More often than not, most of these retreats are either alone or with like-minded souls who allow me to be free and vulnerable.

My favorite locations include Joshua Tree National Park, The Grand Canyon, and the Arizona deserts with the Navajo Indians.

There is something magical about packing up some things to go on a self reflective healing trip. It is empowering to fly like the wind and go where your spirit takes you. I let go of all the technology and the self imposed responsibilities of life to simply just exist. To be able to do this for a few days to a few weeks allows me to put life in to perspective. I see what is important. I clear my energy and refocus it to appropriate ventures in life.

These things take time. So I allow these retreats a few times a year for me to gain the simplistic truth I seek.

What sort of destinations would serve you? Share for it may inspire others to find similar spots.