Interested in spiritual retreat tips?
I recently blogged about my usual way of going on retreat – in a group at a retreat center – and how Covid had cancelled all these types of events. I then scheduled my own retreat at a hermitage. While there I noticed insights that I thought may be useful to you for your next retreat. Paying attention is a key practice all the time as his presence coats all our times and he is so willing to show us his lessons.
Here are a few photos of the hermitage at the Lady of the Pines, Fremont Ohio and 10 spiritual retreat tips.
10 Spiritual Retreat Tips
- Give yourself grace – Every retreat I have participated in, this one included there is a time to slowly let go and enter into the stillness and silence. I forget the outside noise and inside chatter need time to slowly drip away and space for quiet and God to gently appear. The first evening and some of the first full day becomes the entrance way, the threshold, the first step in loosening my grip on the world and resting in God’s arms.
- Listen deeply – I take note of images, words, and nudges that shimmer in the stillness. The first evening as I sat savoring the quiet in the hermitage my eyes kept returning to the small table with two chairs. Something wasn’t just right. I rearranged the chairs and lifted the table leave to expand the space. I set up my small altar with the few items I brought from my home altar and lite the battery-operated candle. I asked God to bless this space. Ahh, peace.
- Set aside distractions. I don’t know about you, but I have the horrible habit of carrying my phone or having it nearby. Habit or addiction, its presence represents busyness, commotion, and interruptions. I promised myself no game playing while on retreat and only to check emails once a day. I did carry my phone while I walked using it to capture photos.
- Move – speaking of walks, yes, I took frequent walks. Precious time with God, nature, and felt good to move.
- Rest – The spiritual practice of napping is essential and often quite needed on retreat. Give yourself permission to rest.
- Companions – Who has God sent you to accompany you on this retreat? Each walk I smiled at the deer. In the center of the labyrinth, five large sitting rocks invited me to pause and pray. One seat for me, three for the Trinity but who sat waiting for me on the fifth rock? I didn’t know until the end of the retreat when God reminded me that a “great cloud of witnesses” walked with me and offered wisdom through their writings and prayers. We are not alone on this journey.
- Spiritual Direction – I was able to schedule two meetings with my spiritual director who lives near that retreat center. To be able to talk aloud with another companion and receive guidance enhances my time with God. Knowing I was lifted up in prayer by her and by many of you too also provided light for my way.
- Gratitude – Being thankful is a powerful practice – exercise your gratitude muscles frequently, not just on retreat but every day.
- Scripture. Often several Bible verses arrive to my heart before the retreat. Sometimes my spiritual director offers a few suggestions. Neither happened this time. Nothing clicked for several days. I listened. I lingered in God’s word. Slowly Psalm 16 emerged and I prayed its words often and still am now that I am home. Well worth the wait for the right Word but I was impatient with the delay.
- The Unexpected. Be open to God’s unexpected gifts. I hold a daily schedule lightly and listening closely as I try to follow God’s lead throughout the retreat. Wish I could do this as intently at home with daily life’s noise, distractions and to-do’s – ok, someday…. With open palms, I let go and let God be in charge. We have a gracious God who is generous and loves to surprise us with his gifts. Two new book ideas bubbled up into my heart. I sense some direction or at least the next right steps for the fall. Unexpected can be messy too. Deep wounds surfaced and were bathed in God’s healing grace. Inner work can be hard and painful at times, but God never abandons us even in the dark. Retreat gives me the safe space with God to deal with buried hurts and deep uncomfortable emotions. I don’t want this fact to scare you away from going on retreat – God knows the best time and path for each of us and will lead the way. We are safe with God as our savior and Lord.
Going on retreat refreshes the soul, grounds our feet on the Rock, and provides guidance for our journey. This is a spiritual practice I know makes a difference in my life spiritually.
How about you? What do you learn on retreat?
I’m grateful for your advice about people who carry their phones with them all the time. I’m one of those people, and I can’t help but feel ashamed whenever I try to compare myself to other people I see on social media. Maybe taking an online spiritual awakening course can help me feel more comfortable and discover the wonders of my own self.
I know carrying my phone with me is such a habit. I almost feel empty without it. Something I am not proud of, What brings me closer to God? What take my eyes from God? OUCH. my phone usually doesn’t bring me closer – that says it all, doesn;t it? Thanks for commenting, Zoe
These are wonderful tips and something I need to do soon for myself. Shared!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos and tips on Retreat. I’ve taken a few “online retreats” since my chronic illness diagnosis. And while they were each different in form and style, they still brought me precious time to pause with God, and to listen to His calling deep in my heart.
I have too taken the online ones. Bless you that you still seek out special times with God even while ill. Thanks for commenting!
Hi, I’m visiting from Grace & Truth. Your photos are lovely…that one with the deer so grabbed my heart. I love deer, and I always enjoy spying them when I’m on a walk. The last 2 corporate retreats I went on ended in tears for me (clickiness), but a solo retreat sounds wonderful. As an empty nester, I have more opportunity to allow for one too.
Blessings,
Patti @ Clothed with Joy
Thanks Patti for stopping by and leaving a comment. Those deer were all over and I visited with them in every walk. It was amazing. A solo retreat is a profound experience and one I don’t try to miss very often.
Jean, this is just a beautiful reminder to me to make time to get away with God. Away from distractions, away from demands, away from technology. He has so much He wants to impart to us so that when we all are released back out into our communities, we will have much to give. The photos are beautiful, especially the cabin!
Joanne – it is so good to connect with you again. Thanks for stopping by. That cabin was very special and you could feel the prayers within its wall. Blessings!
Oh how your words make me long for cottage time retreat right here at the farm. Not yet … but it is calling. Soon, my heart, soon.
I can hear it calling you!!
Oh, reading your words and seeing these pictures make me long for a spiritual retreat of my own again. It’s been too long. I’d have to be very intentional to make it happen, but it’s always possible. Hmm….
I was so longing for a retreat, Lisa so this was a great way to get the silence and stillness I so needed. Yes be intentional. I think this is a powerful word for all time but especially in 2020
I’m circling back around to this post, Jean, so I can feature it Friday at the Grace & Truth linkup at my blog. I’m sure there are many of us who can use your tips to create our own spiritual retreats even if we’re unable to get away for an “official” one.
Jean,
Great tips. I long to get away with God. Glad the hermitage was available. Blessings to you. Glad you were able to wait till God led you to Ps. 16.
Thanks Dolly. I am so glad we have kept in touch.
I, too, have never been on a solo retreat, but would like to one day. The peace and solitude, the luxury of marinating in God’s Word, and the opportunity to hear His voice without distraction or time constraints–well, it sounds heavenly! Thank you for sharing your experience, Jean. If ever I’m able to enjoy such a respite, your suggestions will definitely steer me toward a more meaningful experience.
I hope you can try this someday. I love them and spending time with God this way.
I have been on 2 night retreats at silvercloud hotel in mukilteo wa…the hotel is literally on the water and ferries are comin and goin …i feel called to do this once a year…but this year could not…i didnt feel safe in the hotel environment…
The retreats have been the most precious time with the Lord…..He has my undivided attention…..always sad when time to leave ..but we get to go home back together….i make sure i dont leave Him there…
this sounds delightful. Doesn’t nature help so much!
Very insightful. I, too, have never been on a retreat, but hopefully one day. I agree with Martha’s statement that maybe I can do some of these tips at home to enhance my daily walk. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you can someday too. I find them so beneficial for my spirit and learn each time.
I’ve never been on an actual “retreat,” Jean, but I do believe we can take some of the practices you have given us here and find a quiet space at home to engage in at least some of them. Thank you for sharing your most recent experience!
Blessings!
I hope you get to try this spiritual practice someday. So soul refreshng.