The concept of spiritual atonement is as old as humankind itself. One's soul, the essence of oneself, must be maintained, fed and healed. Neglecting the physical body results in sickness and the death of it, but the soul will reincarnate again. The neglected soul, however...well, thats a most different situation.

Spiritual retreats is a popular way of doing soul maintenance. Such retreats may be brief moments of deep reflection or structured longer periods of spiritual activity. Without these, the soul withers away and our lives become meaningless.

Wayists, Buddhists and members of the Hindu family of spiritualities have home shrines that are maintained by the family. Daily rituals around home shrines are excellent brief spiritual retreats (unless they become meaningless route actions). Going to church or mosque can be good retreats (unless they become meetings of gossip or foster spiritual pride and arrogance).

Spiritual retreat vacations are most effective. Not only do they "recharge your battery" but good retreats add to wisdom and spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is after all the purpose of life and so many westerners get 90% of their spiritual growth from retreats.

Take for example a Wayist retreat close to Angkor Wat. For a week, devotees rise at 4:30 to greet the equatorial sunrise in meditation. Later in the morning after breakfast some lectures and classes. After siesta, some one-on-one contact with locals in villages where devotees give a little of themselves to people in need of their lovingkindness. An evening lecture and meditation precedes a night out on the gastonomical paradise of Pub Street and its 50sent draft beers. Some evenings we sit outside and watch Sirius rising over Angkor Wat (very moving). Every day is a new learning experience, and every day the soul batteries are charged. By the time you get back home you can face life again, not only with renewed vigour but as a slighty more reborn person, a changed person, a little more enlightened, joyous and content.

Take heed, there are small things one can do every day to fascilitate ones little spiritual retreats. It becomes a lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle for body and soul.