Why in the world did I sign up for such a long retreat? This is exactly what I lamented a couple of weeks ago as the retreat I registered for many months ago loomed and interrupted my summer plans and activities. Eight days is a huge chunk of time and energy away from home, family and my precious to-do list. But my mind was hungry to learn. My heart needed refreshed. My spirit parched. And God called. I am so grateful for the time away with God. My mind has been stretched, encompassing new thoughts. My heart nourished and my spirit drenched. The retreat was presented by Louis Savary, a former Jesuit and author who shared ideas from his latest book, The New Spiritual Exercises – In the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The format of the retreat was a wonderful mixture of time learning, time of private pondering, journaling and prayer and time to share in a small group. Louis rarely talked more than 30 minutes on an idea, gave us ideas for something to work on, … [Read more...]
Search Results for: 5 Ways Spiritual Retreats Transform Your Life
Invitation to Retreat – New Book by Ruth Haley Barton
Here is your invitation to retreat – Dear Beloved Child of God Your presence is requested in my Presence. You are invited to come away with me. This time is my gift to you – being together with your Creator, Savior, and Spirit. This time is also my summons, a necessity for your soul-health. Come. Be. Retreat. The spiritual practice of going on retreat is a discipline I have experienced and believe is one of the most essential tools for nurturing my spirit. I have written about this practice in the past on several blog posts such as How to Prepare Your Heart for Spiritual Retreat and 5 Ways Spiritual Retreats Transform Your Life. I even wrote a book called Spiritual Retreats in response to a friend's questions about my practice. I was thrilled to hear about a new book on this topic by one of my favorite authors. What a great combination! Ruth Haley Barton just released her latest title: Invitation to Retreat – the Gift and Necessity of Time Away … [Read more...]
It’s Time for a Silent Retreat
Attending a silent retreat is a primary spiritual practice of mine. I hesitated when going for the first time in 2004 and was filled with fear and anxiety. Four days of not speaking???? What would I do? The void threatened my soul. I felt vulnerable, almost naked without the cushion of noise and the comfort of busyness to protect my ego. But not only did I survive, but I also heard God in newer and deeper ways. As I kept track of my journey in my journals each time, God gently unfolded my heart in a fresh way and touched me with his healing love. One year I skipped this practice and as that year progressed, I felt restless, uncertain and longed for time – silent time – alone with our Creator. I have never missed an annual retreat since then and make scheduling one a priority every year. I leave this coming Thursday through Sunday for my next retreat at a retreat center about an hour from my home. I haven't been to this center in quite a while so I am looking … [Read more...]
Walking an Unclear Path – A Labyrinth Experience
Have you ever walked a labyrinth? Walking a labyrinth is a spiritual practice that I seek on retreats and to be honest, whenever I see one inviting me closer. Based on the form of a circle and the spiral, this practice is an ancient and powerful symbol of wholeness and transformation. It is found in cultures throughout the world and has been added to many retreat centers as a form of walking prayer. Some of the earliest ones were found in Greece dating back to 2500-2000 BC. The path becomes a metaphor for the spiritual journey and for life, itself. The labyrinth is not a maze. Mazes have many paths and dead ends and they evoke a very different feeling than when we walk a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a unicursal with only one path in and the same path out. Its path meanders its way to the center. Walking this path enables you to experience peace, listen deeply, and reflect on where are you in your life. Some find healing or new ways to celebrate. Occasionally nothing is … [Read more...]
What is a Silent Retreat?
What is a silent retreat? I mentioned on several social media posts about the silent retreat I attended earlier in August. I was amazed at the questions about this type of spending time with God. The interest in the deepening of our relationship with our Creator is growing and I am finding more people curious about what this practice may bring to their spiritual journey. Going on retreat is an essential spiritual discipline for me. Time for silence and learning informs the mind and forms the spirit. I leave refreshed, renewed, transformed – not quite the same as I arrived. What is a Silent Retreat? Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” A spiritual retreat is an opportunity to slow down to spend time with God. Leaving behind the … [Read more...]
What Anchors Your Soul?
"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us." Hebrews 6:19-20 (NLT) ****** "Home is where the anchor drops." Unknown My favorite short-sleeve shirt displays an anchor on its pocket. Throughout summer anchors materialize on clothing, menus, billboards, advertisements and most importantly in my heart. Anchors stir my thinking. What is my anchor in life? What is yours? An anchor can be defined as a strong object that holds something in place; a reliable and main support. Anchors bring safety to travelers on ships being rocked by storms. Anchors prevent us from drifting too far off our path, heading possibly into dangerous dark places. Anchors help us feel grounded, settled, and connected to Something larger than ourselves. Anchors root us deeply in a solid foundation. Spiritual Moorings What are the spiritual anchors in our lives? Some … [Read more...]
Diving Deeper for Treasures in the Spiritual Practice of Study
The spiritual practice of study unearths wisdom and treasures for our spiritual journey. Going deeper through study nourishes the mind, heart, and spirit and leads to a healthy spirituality. In March, we are exploring how this practice as a spiritual discipline strengthens our faith. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. As usual I created a free download for you and this month it is something different – an infographic called “The 7 C’s of the Practice of Study.” You can get this infographic for your reference and even use as a bookmark at no cost by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with God. The following two weeks here on Healthy Spirituality, we will dive deeper into the 7 C’s of the Practice of Study. Last week I introduced this topic with the post “Nourishing a Healthy … [Read more...]
Nourishing a Healthy Spirituality – The Spiritual Practice of Study
Nourishing a Healthy Spirituality - The Spiritual Practice of Study A healthy spirituality balances the nourishment of the mind, heart, and spirit. The spiritual practice of study is one habit that feeds us and keeps us going on this journey of life. In March, we will explore how the practice of study as a spiritual discipline to strengthen our faith. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. As usual I created a free download for you and this month it is something different – an infographic called “The 7 C’s of the Practice of Study.” You can get this infographic for your reference and even use as a bookmark at no cost by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with God. Be sure to sign up to get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox so you don’t miss any of the weeks (I promise I never over … [Read more...]