Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Lash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katherine, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Often I hear my colleagues speak of the “dark night of the soul.” I never knew what they were talking about until it happened to me. Sometimes unexpected events occur in life and the resulting trauma overwhelms us. Great masters speak of the “existential crises.” This is when all that we held true, or all that we thought life was going to be, suddenly changes. We have the “rug pulled out from under us.” This can be due to a death, or a divorce, or the loss of someone we love (as well as a multitude of other situations).
As a result, we are forced to reevaluate EVERYTHING. Our world seems to fall apart. We begin to question our meaning and purpose for being on this planet.
This happened to me around the year 2000. Facing a divorce after being married for 20 years caused my whole world to be turned upside down. Because I was married at age 18, I had never lived on my own, I had never developed as a person.
Due to this life-shattering event, I went on my own pilgrimage and quit my job. I left the country and began to travel the world looking for answers. My travels took me to Tibet, Napal, Thailand, India, and Bali, to name a few.
While traveling, I encountered incredible healers and spiritual teachers. My question was always the same, “who am I” and “why am I here.” Personally, I was feeling a lot of anxiety and depression. I was not able to eat much and my sleep was greatly affected. I felt lost and confused. I needed to “find” myself. I needed to feel confident in myself. I needed to learn to love myself.
My pilgrimage lasted about 4 months and upon returning, the real work began. I was forced to deconstruct my life and rebuild. During the soul search I realized that my strengths were my artistry, my ability to lead, my organization skills, and my ability to teach.
When I returned, I launched my company SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats. By working with spiritual teachers, I had discovered that life was “happening for me, not to me.” I was in control of a large part of my destiny. I learned of the power of manifestation!
It is then that SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats was born. I knew that if I could overcome my anxiety & depression, others could too. I discovered that the holistic approach to wellness was much more powerful than any pill. To heal, I had to align with my soul, and that’s exactly what I did. I began to work through my issues using breath and sound. I also incorporated meditation and positive manifestation.
I utilized all tools gained through my travels & journey. Furthermore, I knew that since the process worked for me, it would work for others. Since then, SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats has been in operation for over 20 years and has helped thousands of people. I have a team of 25 practitioners who work very closely with me and we help people with overcoming symptoms of stress, conflict resolution, communication skills, finding purpose, and manifesting the future they deserve.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the owner of SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats. This is a non-denominational, holistic, wellness retreat. We offer spiritual retreats, healing retreats, couples retreats, wellness retreats, and so much more! Our clients are typically going through some type of transition in life and need help navigating.
SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats offers over 60 different session types. We custom-design personal retreats for individuals, couples, and families. It’s so amazing to watch the personal transformation that occurs. Our clients come from different walks of life, different cultures, and different perspectives. However, they all have one thing in common, they are into self-growth and expansion.
Recently we have added a group event twice per month open to anyone who wants to join. These programs occur Friday – Sunday. (Our personal retreats run 7 days a week, year-round).
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three areas of knowledge that I have used the most are mindfulness (being present), empathy, and consistency. These three qualities are imperative to running a business. These are also three qualities that, when embodied, make life easier. SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats emphasizes these qualities for all of our clients.
Mindfulness is the art of being present. Presence allows us to really listen to ourselves and know ourselves. This way we can live an authentic life. By being present with others, we connect deeply with them and understand them. This makes people feel heard and validated.
Empathy is the trait of caring and understanding another. We soften in the heart to have compassion for what they are going through. To be empathetic is to show others that we care. In a business setting, sometimes people can feel that they don’t matter, or that they are just another number. Empathy helps clients feel heard and validated.
Consistency is the trait of following through, living true to your word, bringing fairness into the workplace. Fairness makes people feel that they are not the exception, and they are not being targeted.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one challenge I am currently facing is the divide in the country. Unfortunately, many people are focusing on differences, rather than similarities. When we are divisive, there is tension and disease. We no longer “agree to disagree.” Thus, people resort to name-calling, and stereotyping. It is hard to grow spiritually when we are in this state of mind. And while it might be a plus for my business (I can help people come together), overall I wish that as a nation we could find a way to honor each other.
Personal relationships are way more important than politics. We can accomplish so much more if we learn to respect each other. We have to remember that we are always learning and that a differing opinion can help us expand and grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://retreatsinsedona.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spirit_quest_sedona/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiritQuestSedonaRetreats
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/spiritualretreats1
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/SpiritQuest+Sedona+Retreats/
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