From dragonflies and water skis to the jungle meeting the sea, this immersive music filled poetic episode brings themes like trusting doubt, dropping into presence, and what it really means to “make it” without chasing outcomes. There’s Richard Rudd, 100-foot waves, and why some days need to be brilliantly bland. If you're into mindfulness, storytelling, nature metaphors, and spiritual discovery, this one’s a ride.

10 spots only, my smallest retreat & my first solo retreat!

⁠https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat

Time stamps:

00:00 intro

01:30 retreat tour

3:33 lean in

4:45 the transformation of the dragonfly

6:31 you have to throw the rope: water ski story

9:30 stop fighting your doubt & start trusting your doubt

11:20 the wind in our mind, how can we focus?

12:20 when the roots are deep, we don’t fear the wind

13:20 we don’t have to do anything for presence to return

14:35 WHERE THE JUNGLE MEETS THE SEA

18:25 the 100 foot wave

20:00 you feel so defeated that you begin to laugh

21:20 I don’t believe in short cuts or life hacks

23:17 when inspiration strikes

26:15 we need days that are brilliantly bland

27:40 “making it” means replacing operating from outcome to operating from presence

30:17 Richard Rudd on being “sensible”

31:20 paddle hard for the fork of the river that looks like glass

33:20 the meaning of life

35:50 life through a fogged window vs. through your own eyes

38:00 after notes & how i wrote this

musical poetry: return to simplicity - immersive special