Winter Tale

In the early morning we entered the sauna with one simple rule: no job titles, no previous success stories, no introductions – just our names. When people meet without social labels, something shifts very quickly. In the heat, during an initial silent and reflective phase, and later with the plunge into 6°C lake water, a strong band of brothers effectively emerged. Not because people tried to impress each other, but because they shared vulnerability, stayed present, and encouraged one another to overcome that final inner resistance before stepping into the icy lake.

From there, we set off on a winter hike from Pfäffikon over the Etzel Pass to Einsiedeln - low-hanging fog, rays of sunlight breaking through, mountain views, and the half-frozen Sihlsee created a truly magical atmosphere. A simple but much-needed "Benediktiner soup" came right when it was needed.
We discussed how much lighter the journey feels once we stop carrying what no longer serves us – and how important it is to have the right companions on the path. We also reflected on what resilience actually looks like when the journey feels long & hard.

The day concluded in Einsiedeln with something genuinely unique – in more than one sense: We were able to offer a guided tour of the monastery and its library: a rare experience in itself, and one that was only possible for this specific edition of Winter Tale. While some participants chose to attend the Salve Regina service, others took time to warm up in a local coffee shop.

As the sun set behind the monastery and we shared mulled wine together, the conversations naturally turned toward trust in one’s own path – and faith, not necessarily in answers, but in the next step.