I realized I needed to create more space for transitioning back and not expect this immediate return to productivity. A silent retreat will help you to reset. And you dont have to be either. It is all about doing what is best for you. I forget that everything I have, all my abilities, all that I am, is solely because of Jesus. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abounds -(Psalm 4:3-7). 5 Steps To Plan A Silent Retreat 1. But what shall you do? In a self-obsessed culture, how do we think about ourselves less? Here we are together." Taking time to focus inward can help you through your recovery, though. When I do an ROS, I plan for 3 to 6 hours. You can create your own online retreat experience. I've recently started journaling again because it's one of the best ways for me to slow down and have a complete, uninterrupted conversation with God. Pay attention to entry into and leaving your retreat. Whether something is bothering you or not, its easy to feel stressed. She loves reading, singing, rocking out in her car to cheesy pop music and NPR, and going on adventures with her husband. Thanks for your comment Jen, I LOVE "Opening to God" and David G. Benner in general- I secretly wish him and I were friends! WebA silent meditation retreat allows you to disconnect from your everyday life so you can get in tune with your mind, body, and soul. When you become overly busy with your work and other obligations, on top of the challenges of overcoming your addiction, you can benefit greatly from focusing on your thoughts and emotions. In my everyday environment, this brokenness would be easy to ignore and override through entertainment, food, social media, or reaching out to a friend. :) Bible in one hand, hymnal in the other, notebook and pencil, thermos of coffee, and an attitude of expectation and I'm set. All rights reserved. God fights on our behalf when we are silent - We are too weak to fight our enemies ourselves. Here are some of them: "He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself - (Luke 10:27). WebAs with many experiences, you get out of the retreat what you are willing to put into it. A spiritual person has a connectedness to a higher power, to the universe, without necessarily being a religious person. Intimacy and stillness before the Lord is going to be key to living a successful and joyful life in this hour. Something you attended with your high school youth group? If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Be Picky With Location. Calming Cosmos is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You might find an answer to a question you have or discover what motivates and inspires you. It is a decision to release the world and put yourselves in the hands of God. I often bring my guitar and binder of music, and sometimes an iPod full of worship. This can be anything and is different for everyone! OLord, you know; remember me and visit me (Jeremiah 15:15a). I realized afresh how wonderful and necessary it is to be quiet before God in silent meditation. Another idea is to have a spiritual director, friend or even mentor create a retreat for you. 8 Simple Ways to Boost Your Faith This Year. Kripalu offers the opportunity to engage with silence each January during our annual Contemplative Week. Give to reach every corner of every campus. Explore yoga practices for slowing down and replenishing the vital life force within. As we enter into the end of the age, we must be quiet before God, find Him as our refuge, and rise up to the heights and see life from His viewpoint. Ever wonder why sometimes its hard for you to wake up and you crave coffee? During those days I sat silently before God and would just behold His beauty and the attractiveness of that retreat place alongside those gorgeous mountains. You may want to include time for a walk or hike; for sleeping or napping; multiple readings of a specific Bible story (like those from the Gospels); journaling your conversations with God; or praying for those the Holy Spirit brings to mind. * If youre staying overnight bring a toothbrush and pajamas. It is a decision to release the world and put yourselves in the hands of God. When I do an ROS, I plan for 3 to 6 hours. Sometimes you just need to be still and reflect. If this is your first time doing an ROS, start with 2 to 3 hours. The Holy Spirit works with us each distinctly, taking the raw material of our circumstances, our personalities, our backgrounds, our capacities, our traditions, our time, and our environments to direct us how to retreat before him. NEWIM leaders offer short videos and worship playlists to lead you on a Jesus-centered, spiritual retreat. As you will be doing quite a bit of meditational practices throughout your day, one thing I personally love to use is a meditation cushion (and one body-part in specific thanks me for this as well..). God is wooing you to Himself. Maybe use the car ride to turn down the noise by driving without music or by silencing your phone. Overview Effect, Rewilding & Meditation on the International Space Station, Call Registrations at 413.448.3500 or email at registration@kripalu.org, Call Registrations at 413.448.3500 or email registration@kripalu.org. Jump out of bed and head towards the shower where youll mindfully wake up, 7:00: Sitting Meditation: Now it is time for your first silent meditation of the day. ~Holly Browning, Great post Allison! the most out of our times spent with Jesus. Do you often have interesting or unusual dreams? They typically involved times of worship, a speaker, and possibly breakout sessions or small group time. ), but I had a great experience with journaling and reading the Bible my senior year of high school. All of this changes on silent retreat. A good way to get yourself prepared is by taking part in a shorter meditation retreat before doing a longer one. Living in the present moment and focusing on the now, not the future or the past, helps to center and focus thoughts while reducing stress andanxiety.. Two particular practices that a retreatant can expect to come across during an Ignatian silent retreat are lectio divina and the Examen. * You will get to know the other people on the retreat and share your experiences with them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Participants are also typically expected to stay on the retreat grounds and not leave. It took more than three readings of the passage from John 15, but finally the word that stuck out to me was truth. I couldnt figure out why. Putting a personal retreat on your calendar can be the most important first step in preparation for a retreat. Wherever you decide, make sure its a place with minimal distractions. This means its best for our brains to be in a quiet environment, free of distractions and noise. 3. A silent retreat is a gift to yourself to recalibrate, to connect, to learn about yourself in a beautiful way. Noise pollution is a massive problem for many people and, if you are unable to find a quiet place, then your health can suffer. * Learning about yourself There are many benefits that come from going on a silent retreat; however, the greatest benefit is learning more about yourself. This is a day of preparation and transition into what really matters for eternity. link to Queen Of Cups As A Person (Character, Looks & More), link to 31 Powerful Tarot Questions To Unlock Your Dream Meanings. The goal of retreat is to become a lover of God, to be loved by Him, and to be open to the Spirits leading; this goal is about relating to a Person rather than a to-do list. The Queen of Cups is someone who is 31 Powerful Tarot Questions To Unlock Your Dream Meanings. What is a silent retreat? Richard Foster says, The contemplative life is the steady gaze of the soul upon God who loves us. A collection of Christmas poems from the archives of His magazine and Student Leadership Journal. Last but not least, I like to keep healing crystals around as they have the ability to clear the surrounding space of negative energies. We were invited to respond to Jesus love. Dear intercessors, Continue with Recommended Cookies. What I find so impactful in doing a week of silence is the power of practicing in community, says Erin Casperson, Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda. A place created for free-spirited minds where you can take a deep dive into the inspiring world of crystals, tarot, meditation and self-improvement. Create the space before youre too frazzled and stressed. The result is greater calm, clarity, and centeredness. To dip your toe into the well of silence, or to ensure that the benefits gained during a silent retreat dont evaporate as soon as you get home, try carving out daily silent time. I could breathe in the fresh mountain air and breathe out all I carried with me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. * Rejuvenating your mind, body, and soul One of the biggest benefits of going on a silent retreat is that it allows you to recharge your body, mind, and soul. One of my favorite things to do during the summer, besides lie by the pool, is to go on a Retreat of Silence (ROS). First the readings ushered us into the intimacy of God. Mother nature has the solution silence. Take a good look at your calendar and clear a day, preferably within the next month. 11:00: Mindful Housekeeping: now its time to clean your house or a specific room while solely trying to focus on the cleaning process. What can we do when we feel like were losing our faith? Your intention of organizing a retreat could just be to quiet the mind and actively notice the sensations taking place inside your body, or your motivation could be to generate new creative ideas without any unwanted distractions. The experience leads to deeper insights, and being in silent meditation with others makes the practice a whole lot easier.. At some retreats, living arrangements may include small huts, cabins or rooms where individuals sleep and spend most of their time except for meal times. International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOP-KC) Thank you for reminding us and posting the tips. Terms of Use | Some of my favorites are Shel Arensens Come Away: How to Have a Personal Prayer Retreat; Ruth Haley Bartons Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God; Ben Campbell Johnson and Paul H. Langs Time Away: A Guide for Personal Retreat; or even Jane Rubiettas Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats.. For me, I always plan for at least 8 hours. Join her on her adventures at www.tandemliving.org. * Be open to receiving healing There is a lot of healing that can happen on silent retreats. Intercessors Arise International How do you feel about where you are spiritually right now? One popular example is the Vipassana Meditation Retreat , which lasts for 10 days. Savoring Slowness Explore yoga practices for slowing down and replenishing the vital life force within. Your spiritual director is trained to be your companion during the retreat. I am excited to step in to silence and hear God speak in the many ways that He can. Jen My goal is to provide you with helpful information and tools to reach your highest potential and a true sense of calm. You are given an opportunity to go within yourself and recharge your batteries which reduces stress levels. What shall be your response to such an experience? There are many reasons people choose to do a silent retreat: * To find answers to important questions one may have in life, * To gain clarity and focus on what they truly want in life, * To clear the mind of distractions and focus on their spiritual practice. WebA silent or contemplative retreat is not for everyone. If it's painting, do it. Choose whatever day feels right for you (just try to remember to not plan your at-home-retreat the day your neighbours are planning on organizing a birthday party with 30 screaming kids in their backyard..). As part of your addiction treatment, we encourage you to cultivate spiritual practices in your life while you are in the process of transformation from active use of alcohol and drugs. Sometimes it is nice to have someone lead you on a retreat. Phone calls, texts, and emails can be disruptive to the other people on the retreat which can be a distraction. Be quiet before God in silent meditation ( Jeremiah 15:15a ) expected to stay the... 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