So you’re going on retreat…
It’s one thing to participate in a parish or group retreat where activities and worship are scheduled for you, and there is some natural rhythm to the days. It’s another when the days stretch out in front of you with no clear pattern (other than meals, perhaps!) and you have to figure out how to arrange your own time. How do I “do” retreat when no one is organizing it for me? There are some time-honored practices, deeply embedded in our Christian tradition, that could be helpful in this situation:
v Take naps. Seriously – rest and sleep whenever you feel like it. God is inviting you to experience Sabbath, to rest in God, and often naps are the best way to do this.
v Take walks, preferably in nature. Notice the beauty of creation; let your senses (all of them) wander and discover God’s presence in the world around you.
v Journal. Spend some time each day writing – your thoughts, prayers, poems, whatever comes to you. Express your longings and hopes and fears to God.
v Engage in some kind of art. Knitting, crocheting, needlework, drawing, painting, beadwork, whatever you love. These activities have a way of calming and centering our hearts and minds, and are a reminder that creativity is a reflection of our deepest inner self, created in the image of our Creative God.
v Read books that nourish, refresh, and inspire you. These might be “spiritual” books, or fiction, or history. You might want to follow a daily meditation online or in a printed book. Some examples include: o Forward Day by Day – published by Forward Movement. St. Paul’s has copies available; contact the office if you would like one sent to you. There is also an online version: Daily Prayer. o Speaking to the Soul, from Episcopal Café – a daily online meditation.
v Each day, take time for a spiritual practice. This might be a practice that is familiar to you, or one that is new. Here are a few possibilities; click on the link to access information: o Anglican rosary o Centering prayer o Lectio divina (sacred reading of scripture)
v Pray the Daily Office at regular times during the day, using some well established patterns. Throughout history, Christians have found that the ancient patterns of Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline (and a few shorter forms of prayer in the hours in between) provide a useful “trellis” that supports and nourishes our daylong conversation with God. Here are few examples:
The Book of Common Prayer 1979 § Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (pp. 136-140) A good place to begin – short, and everything you need is right there. § Daily Morning Prayer (p. 75) § Noonday Prayer (p. 103) § Evening Prayer (p. 115) § Compline (p.127)
The Daily Lectionary (Online resource) Access to the appointed psalms and readings for each day of the calendar
Mission of St. Clare (Online resource) This website contains all the daily office services, with text and recorded music.
Daily Prayer for All Seasons (PDF online, also available in print) Short services patterned after the monastic hours of prayer, for all the seasons of the church year, incorporating newer readings, poetry canticles and prayers. Self contained – everything you need is in one place.
This is your retreat, and there is no one right way to do it. In all you do, try to keep your heart open to what God is doing in your life. Blessings on your journey!!