Why a Retreat
Silence. Stillness. Solitude. These qualities may be unsupported or rarely experienced while living in our contemporary culture, which encourages fullness, acquisition, ambition and extroversion. At some level we realize, as many teachers such as Thomas Merton writes, “All need enough silence and solitude in their lives, to enable the deep inner voice of their own true self to be heard…”
A retreat may you help formulate significant questions, while leading to enlivening signposts along a path of grace in your inquiry. Perhaps you are initiating a creative project, reconnecting with a significant other, retreating for emotional or spiritual healing, or simply needing a peaceful getaway from the world. Threshold moments in life may be especially auspicious times for solitude and retreat. When we feel dissatisfied or unfulfilled in a significant way, perhaps another sense of life purpose or true vocation is whispering, and we may want to heed the call and rekindle a deeper zest for living, finding our true “genius.” Connecting more deeply with ourselves, or interpersonally may draw us into retreat time. Perhaps the inner well has emptied from taxing experiences at work, in family, or in caregiving.
Intentional, specific and sustained inner focus brings nourishment, rest and deep inner listening. As Carl Jung spoke, “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.”
A retreat may you help formulate significant questions, while leading to enlivening signposts along a path of grace in your inquiry. Perhaps you are initiating a creative project, reconnecting with a significant other, retreating for emotional or spiritual healing, or simply needing a peaceful getaway from the world. Threshold moments in life may be especially auspicious times for solitude and retreat. When we feel dissatisfied or unfulfilled in a significant way, perhaps another sense of life purpose or true vocation is whispering, and we may want to heed the call and rekindle a deeper zest for living, finding our true “genius.” Connecting more deeply with ourselves, or interpersonally may draw us into retreat time. Perhaps the inner well has emptied from taxing experiences at work, in family, or in caregiving.
Intentional, specific and sustained inner focus brings nourishment, rest and deep inner listening. As Carl Jung spoke, “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.”