The Journey Within—and Back Again
There are times when the most important journey we can take requires us to leave home for a little while—not to escape our lives, but to return to them more fully.
This past week, I had the blessing of taking a road trip with my dear friend and
colleague, Rev. Dr. Martha Creek. Our travels took us first to Unity of Garden Park in Cincinnati for Journey Within, an experiential Mystery School weekend facilitated by Martha, and then on to Indianapolis for the Unity Great Lakes Region Conference.
And somewhere between Cincinnati, Indianapolis, long conversations in the car,
laughter, spiritual practice, learning, worship, and simply being together, I was reminded again how important it is to occasionally step outside the rhythm of our everyday lives.
The Journey Within retreat was exactly what its name suggests—an invitation to turn inward.
Drawing from ancient wisdom traditions, Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, Unity
teachings, energy practices, ritual, and ceremony, Martha reminded us that the deepest spiritual truths are not necessarily something another person can teach us. Sometimes they must be awakened within us.
I love the way the retreat described it: the purpose of a Mystery School is not to teach you truth, but to call forth the truth that already lies within you.
That landed deeply for me.
I was able to spend time looking honestly at some of the grief I have carried, some of the experiences of this past year, and some of the places within myself that still needed attention. There were moments of insight, moments of release, moments of tenderness—and, of course, plenty of laughter along the way.
It reminded me that going within is not about fixing ourselves. It is about becoming quiet enough to hear what our Divine Self already knows.
From Cincinnati, our journey continued to Unity of Indianapolis for the Great Lakes Unity Conference, whose theme this year was “Evolving Together Spiritually.” Rev. Myra McFadden and Rev. Dr. Martha Creek served as keynote speakers, and it was wonderful to gather with ministers, leaders, and friends from Unity communities throughout our region.
There is something powerful about being in a room with people who understand both the joy and the responsibility of spiritual leadership. We worshipped together, learned together, exchanged ideas, shared resources, laughed, talked, and dreamed about what is possible for our ministries.
And yes—I came home with materials! Lots of them.
Prayer resources, peace resources, materials for difficult seasons, Advent resources for Christmas, and ideas that I believe can enrich our ministry here at Unity of Louisville in the coming year. I also came home with new ideas about processes and practices that can help us continue becoming an even healthier and more vibrant spiritual community.
But perhaps the most important thing I brought home wasn't in a booklet or handbook. I brought home renewal.
Retreats and spiritual gatherings remind me that we cannot continually pour from
ourselves without occasionally returning to the well. We need places where we are not producing, organizing, solving, leading, or accomplishing. We need sacred spaces where we can simply listen.
Sometimes we need to step away from the familiar long enough to hear the still, small voice within us again.
And then we return.
Not necessarily with every question answered or every burden removed—but perhaps a little lighter. A little clearer. A little more grounded.
A little more aware that the wisdom we have been searching for may have been within us all along.
This week, I traveled quite a few miles.
But the most meaningful distance I traveled was the journey within.
And somehow, I came home closer to myself, closer to Spirit, and even more grateful to be walking this spiritual journey with all of you.
With love and gratitude, Rev. Dr. Bobby Kyser
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