I went on a silent spiritual retreat from Friday night through Sunday early afternoon and it was great. My mom had been suggesting I go for a long time (years, I think) and finally 2 years ago I went. It’s only a few minutes from my house at a retreat center with beautiful grounds. Last time, I went sort of grudgingly, and my mom was thrilled, but I told her that my reasons for going were not spiritual, only that I wanted to sleep in for two mornings and have some time to myself. Tee-hee! She acknowledged that my intentions weren’t pure but that she hoped I would get something out of it anyway.
This time I went for spiritual reasons alone and because I enjoyed it so much the last time. What’s great is that it’s a silent retreat and you get your own room, which is right up my alley! I’d been on other ones where you have to socialize the entire time, even half the night, then you have to share deep feelings and hug people and cry, sing songs, and break into small groups to hear about other people’s problems. Lots of people love those and that was all good when I was college age. But the last thing I want now is to go to some high-pressure weekend where I would have to share deep thoughts with a group and sleep on bunkbeds in a room full of snoring women.
So, off I went. This one was packed full, and I soon found out why. The priest was a brilliant and fascinating speaker, very funny and witty, yet his talks were very moving. He should definitely be selling his lectures on tape! During a break I talked to him some about the logistics about raising my boys in the faith, which to be honest, I can’t see how that will be possible. But after talking to him, there is a little more hope toward laying that foundation.
The rooms are individual with no TVs, wireless hookup or the like. Take Walden’s cabin and add electricity and there you would have the bedroom I stayed in. What’s great is the total quiet and not having to hear your neighbor’s TV as well. The grounds are beautiful, and the weather Saturday was heaven-sent, about 70 or so with no wind. I got to take THREE long walks. It’s located next to a convent so I walked past that and saw some nuns scattered about planting flowers. The whole thing was out of a Tolstoy novel, I’m telling you.
Even during the meals we didn’t talk to anyone. It’s a good thing since I knew I didn’t have much in common with any of the other women, most of whom were about 20-30 years older than I was. Definitely a low-pressure time and I will be back!
Then Sunday I got home and my boys were raring to go so we played outside nearly the whole day even in the light rain. Will post some pics of that tomorrow.
This time I went for spiritual reasons alone and because I enjoyed it so much the last time. What’s great is that it’s a silent retreat and you get your own room, which is right up my alley! I’d been on other ones where you have to socialize the entire time, even half the night, then you have to share deep feelings and hug people and cry, sing songs, and break into small groups to hear about other people’s problems. Lots of people love those and that was all good when I was college age. But the last thing I want now is to go to some high-pressure weekend where I would have to share deep thoughts with a group and sleep on bunkbeds in a room full of snoring women.
So, off I went. This one was packed full, and I soon found out why. The priest was a brilliant and fascinating speaker, very funny and witty, yet his talks were very moving. He should definitely be selling his lectures on tape! During a break I talked to him some about the logistics about raising my boys in the faith, which to be honest, I can’t see how that will be possible. But after talking to him, there is a little more hope toward laying that foundation.
The rooms are individual with no TVs, wireless hookup or the like. Take Walden’s cabin and add electricity and there you would have the bedroom I stayed in. What’s great is the total quiet and not having to hear your neighbor’s TV as well. The grounds are beautiful, and the weather Saturday was heaven-sent, about 70 or so with no wind. I got to take THREE long walks. It’s located next to a convent so I walked past that and saw some nuns scattered about planting flowers. The whole thing was out of a Tolstoy novel, I’m telling you.
Even during the meals we didn’t talk to anyone. It’s a good thing since I knew I didn’t have much in common with any of the other women, most of whom were about 20-30 years older than I was. Definitely a low-pressure time and I will be back!
Then Sunday I got home and my boys were raring to go so we played outside nearly the whole day even in the light rain. Will post some pics of that tomorrow.
5 comments:
Sounds peaceful. Glad you enjoyed the weekend. Hope you said some prayers for me! I gotta say last night though when you left a message I thought I heard you incorrectly when you said you just got back from a retreat!
WOW...sounds like a great get away and definitely good for your inner peace!
Your mom is wonderful for helping you out with the boys while you regained your energy. :o)
That sounds perfect.
They have something like that "east river" from where I am. Jen's gone before, and she's Catholic,too. It must be a Catholic thing, and it sounds really cool. Protestants have things like that, but the ones that I've known, have been really corny and "Kum, Bye, Yah."
But I'm glad yours was a positive, enlightning experience.
That is so nice that you have your mom to take the boys so that you are able to do something like that. I know those two days that I was able to get away for the tech conference that I went to were heaven sent just to have some moments away, but I also know that I will never get to do that again! You are lucky and I am so happy that you can have that and glad that you really got something positive out of it....
It's too bad we don't live closer Jenn as I would watch yours if you wanted to get away for a couple of days! What about your sister, would she help? Maybe you guys could swap and give each other some time.
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