Have you ever gone on a personal retreat?
Four years ago, some friends sparked my interest when they asked my husband and I if we would be willing to look after their children over a weekend, while they went on a personal retreat. The retreat was not a programmed event through a church or organization. Our friends booked a small cabin in rural Southwest Michigan and highly recommend this retreat center to us.
Following their steps, we decided to give it a try and have gone at least four times. It’s amazing what silence and simplicity do to heal your nervous system!
This retreat center was true to its name. It wasn't a place where people could also enjoy a family vacation and fun activities. In fact, there’s not much to do there. Nearby is an abbey where visitors can attend mass. Weather permitting, you could go on walks, but otherwise, you stay in your cabin, read, meditate, pray, journal, do some type of art, and talk if you decide to bring someone along. No phone signals or Wi-Fi connection.
But a recent retreat took on a new twist for me. My spirit was crying out for rest. I decided to go on a solo retreat—something I had never done before. For three days and two nights, it was total silence and stillness. I had to let go of the things I normally relied on for comfort and security—my partner and conversations. Upon my arrival, I sensed that I wasn’t going to be able to think my way through the quiet and stillness of the next few days. And to my surprise, I felt fear of being alone, especially after the days got dark, alone in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and completely cut off.
But in the last hours before I had to leave to return home on the third day, I realized what a gift this had been—to be alone for three days, particularly alone in the dark. There's a quote from Barbara Brown Taylor that captures this well: “What darkness has taught me is that it is fine to slow down enough in the dark to feel my way instead of thinking my way forward.” My solo retreat in the end can be described as slightly terrifying, but also exciting and full of wonder and rest.
The next time your spirit is crying out for rest, listen to it. Remember, Jesus frequently withdrew from crowds and from his disciples. Despite his ministry's demands, he found time to retreat in solitary places and restore his spirit.
Have you gone on a solo retreat? Does the idea excite you? Terrify you? (Continue the conversation in the comments, below.)
Four years ago, some friends sparked my interest when they asked my husband and I if we would be willing to look after their children over a weekend, while they went on a personal retreat. The retreat was not a programmed event through a church or organization. Our friends booked a small cabin in rural Southwest Michigan and highly recommend this retreat center to us.
Following their steps, we decided to give it a try and have gone at least four times. It’s amazing what silence and simplicity do to heal your nervous system!
This retreat center was true to its name. It wasn't a place where people could also enjoy a family vacation and fun activities. In fact, there’s not much to do there. Nearby is an abbey where visitors can attend mass. Weather permitting, you could go on walks, but otherwise, you stay in your cabin, read, meditate, pray, journal, do some type of art, and talk if you decide to bring someone along. No phone signals or Wi-Fi connection.
But a recent retreat took on a new twist for me. My spirit was crying out for rest. I decided to go on a solo retreat—something I had never done before. For three days and two nights, it was total silence and stillness. I had to let go of the things I normally relied on for comfort and security—my partner and conversations. Upon my arrival, I sensed that I wasn’t going to be able to think my way through the quiet and stillness of the next few days. And to my surprise, I felt fear of being alone, especially after the days got dark, alone in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and completely cut off.
But in the last hours before I had to leave to return home on the third day, I realized what a gift this had been—to be alone for three days, particularly alone in the dark. There's a quote from Barbara Brown Taylor that captures this well: “What darkness has taught me is that it is fine to slow down enough in the dark to feel my way instead of thinking my way forward.” My solo retreat in the end can be described as slightly terrifying, but also exciting and full of wonder and rest.
The next time your spirit is crying out for rest, listen to it. Remember, Jesus frequently withdrew from crowds and from his disciples. Despite his ministry's demands, he found time to retreat in solitary places and restore his spirit.
Have you gone on a solo retreat? Does the idea excite you? Terrify you? (Continue the conversation in the comments, below.)
Monik KadarmantoMonik Kadarmanto, M.Ed, has found home in a number of places, including Oregon; Michigan; Virginia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and South Australia. She enjoys exploring new places, new cuisines, new people, new recipes, and change in general. Monik identifies as a bilingual immigrant woman of color who has a disability (chronic disease/pain), and is a wife and dog mom. Monik has a Masters in Social Justice in Education from Flinders University of South Australia and has worked in a number of supportive roles in higher ed. She also enjoys sewing, thrifting, reading and taking slow walks at local botanical gardens and nature preserves. Monik is a member of the Eden Spiritual Care board. |  |
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