This weekend I spent Friday night through Sunday afternoon in silent retreat. I had a chance to spend two full days without speaking to anyone (except night calls to my wife) and with no TV or radio. I was in a rustic cabin in the woods. At least twice a year I need a short retreat like this to re-energize my batteries. Time to pray, to ponder, to write, and to be. I was also working on a personal project and was able to go deep, spending hours at a time on it. I was able to sit in the porch and observe many birds like bluejays, chickadees, titmouse, woodpeckers, crows, and lots of squirrels. Also a wild turkey and a mama deer with her fawn. At night an owl was calling by the cabin. It's so wonderful to be close to nature. I came home refreshed and so happy!
Technorati Tags: Spirituality
I am so pleased for you! If I get up early at my house, I can go out on the porch and observe and soak in nature as it awakens. One of my richest blessings is that we live in the woods, and just out my door is a great place for silent reflection. Until it is broken by the sleepy, dear faces of my children, then its "on with the day".
So glad you are refreshed!
Posted by: Renee | July 11, 2006 at 09:10 AM
Hector, aren't retreats just the best? I wonder how different the world would be if we all took time for personal re-energizing. It truly is a gift, isn't it?
Posted by: HeyJules | July 11, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Next week I'm going to volunteer at our church camp and retreat center. It will be with lots of kids, so it will be far from quiet! I want to ask if they would offer a silent retreat. The way you decribe it, seems like a way to get closer to heaven.
Posted by: patti | July 13, 2006 at 06:02 PM
How wonderful! Hector, as I get more "mature" :), I have so learned to love and appreciate nature so much more in so many many ways! Every little thing becomes something to just gaze at in wonder! Glad you could do that!
Posted by: Suzanne | July 13, 2006 at 10:43 PM
I am so proud of you! Take that feeling with you throughout the busyness of life... :) Nice pix too!
Posted by: angie | July 16, 2006 at 10:55 AM
sounds wonderful. I've purposed to go on a silent retreat this year. Sometimes the noise - even religious noise in meetings and church -gets too much and I need to step back and hear the small quiet voice of God for myself.
Thank you for your prayers.
Posted by: Lorna | July 17, 2006 at 02:52 AM