Jay S. from Redondo Beach, CA speaking at the "Living Fearlessly Men's retreat" in Estes Park, CO - April 18th 2008

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In Part 4 of the men's retreat, Jay and his wife Adele explore the themes of perception, love, relationships, and the transformative power of meditation. Adele shares a deeply personal realization about how she had never truly seen Jay for who he was, but rather through the lens of her own expectations, judgments, and stories. Through years of meditation and spiritual practice, she found peace and clarity, allowing her to love him fully without the need for change. Jay then shifts the focus to relationships in sobriety, discussing his conscious approach to dating after divorce, the importance of integrity in intimate relationships, and the profound trust-building process he and Adele cultivated before marriage. He highlights the role of meditation, patience, and mutual support in fostering deep connections, contrasting it with the impulsive and often destructive patterns of relationships in active addiction.

Jay also shares his experiences with spiritual awakenings, emphasizing the difference between sudden, profound moments of clarity and the more gradual, educational variety of spiritual development. He recounts his own encounter with an overwhelming presence of love and knowledge, reinforcing that such experiences are available to anyone willing to seek and remain open. Tying it all together, he challenges attendees to embrace meditation, deepen their faith through action, and recognize their role in carrying the message of recovery. The retreat closes with a powerful call to live with purpose, reminding each man that they are destined to change lives through their sobriety. The final moments are spent in five minutes of shared silence, reinforcing the weekend’s theme of deep spiritual connection.