A Silent Retreat - Finding Your Inner Peace

I recently had the opportunity to go on my third Silent Retreat, and the second one of this year.? The first time I went I spent two nights, the second time was three nights, and the last time was four nights.? This was suggested to me several years ago when I was dealing with a number of stressors in my life where I needed to simply get away.? I did not want to run away from those stressors, but to use my mind in a silent environment to manage them.

Going on a Silent Retreat helps retreatants to clear their mind, reconnect with themselves or a Spiritual Being, and deepen mindfulness.? These retreats help you get away from daily distractions and the negativity that bombards us all the time.? It is needed more often than we think.? They truly are a place to finding your inner peace.

The place I visited is called Pacem In Terris which means “Peace On Earth”.? It is a Catholic retreat center located about an hour north of Minneapolis, MN.? There are many other similar retreats world-wide of various denominations each unique in their own way.

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THE SETTING

At Pacem, there are 19 one-room cabins in the woods with no running water, no electricity, and no Wi-Fi.? They are rustic – a single bed, one big picture window facing nature, a chair, a small table, a gas burner to boil water (cooking food is not allowed).? A commode is provided, but there are outhouses nearby as well.? A few safety items are provided such as flashlight and bug spray.? There is a screen portion with a rocking chair to sit in during summer months.?

Food is supplied but basic: a loaf of peasant bread, bran muffins, apples, oranges, bananas, a block of cheese, water, coffee, and tea.? Some retreatants bring additional food; others will fast to provide body healing.?

There are about 3 miles of walking trails.? While trees are plentiful, there is a huge prairie and a large lake with two piers and chairs.? Benches are placed throughout the trails.? Animals I have seen that call this place home:? deer, turkey, gophers, a lot of bugs in the summer, eagles, and geese.? Plus a loud woodpecker right outside I could hear all the time.? The trees are bountiful of oak and maple – where the autumn colors were quite vibrant.

The hardest part of this setting – being in complete silence!!? It is extremely quiet other than the sounds of nature.? It has been recorded that some people cannot handle being in such quiet for more than one night.? You need to mentally prepare yourself for it.

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THE RULES

The rules are simple:

1. Turn off and/or leave all electronics at home.? This means your phone, computer, tablet, and possibly your smart watch.? In today’s connected world, this is hard to do.? It means no contact with family, friends, nor co-workers. You cannot have inner peace if you feel you need to remain in contact with the outside world - the outside world is what is causing you turbulent peace. If you do not follow this rule, there is no point of a silent retreat.
2. Do not interact with other retreatants.? There is to be silence - waving to each other is acceptable, but no words are to be spoken.? What a great way to meet new people – by not speaking to them.
3. Bring a book, a journal, and writing materials.? This is critical for any post-retreat reflections.
4. Do not come with a plan.? I made this mistake the first time – as a Program Manager I thought I needed a plan because I must plan everything.? Instead, let your day flow as it may – let your thoughts wander where they need to and let your feet take you around. The last time I went, I had zero plan, followed where my heart took me, and I have better outcomes.
5. Do not leave. You are not prohibited from leaving; however, leaving does somewhat defeat the point as you are re-entering the outside world. Some retreatants never leave their cabin.

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WHAT TO DO

There are numerous things you can accomplish during the retreat

Sleep – a lot.? Since it is quiet, and extremely dark at night, I was able to get far better sleep every night – almost 10 hours each.? One day, surprisingly, I napped three times.? You do not realize how much sleep you need until you have opportunities to have undisturbed sleep.

Meditative Walking.? Pacem has about 3 miles of walking trails.? I got extremely familiar with the trails – and the key is to walk slow.? There is zero hurry to get anywhere.? Look and the ground.? Admire the leaves on the trees.? Analyze the nuances of nature.? I found myself attracted to the hundreds of fallen trees from a recent straight-line wind event.

As you walk, think about that which bothers you.? Maybe you have relationship challenges that need to be thought through.? Perhaps you have career choices that need to be planned or adjusted.? Or, you simply need to focus on yourself such as health, exercise, diet, or spiritual health.?

Sit – and do nothing.? I hate sitting and doing nothing!!? So I was shocked to discover that I could sit and did absolutely nothing for many hours.? I just admired nature and cleared my mind of all my thoughts.? What a contrast from being constantly busy 12 – 16 hours a day.

Read. ?I brought 5 novels and my Bible.? I read none of the novels and spent all my reading time in the Bible.? I read it in my cabin, on the pier by the lake, in the prairie, and in the main library.? Then, I was able to contemplate what I read during my meditative walking sessions.

Write in your journal.? I brought a small journal and a pen with me – and wrote down some key thoughts for me to remember.?

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THE OUTCOME

After spending four days at the retreat, I walk away refreshed, re-invigorated, and hopefully a slightly better person as a result.? The distractions of life do not go away, and all the challenges remain, but being away from them can help you find solutions to those that you can impact. However, I am at peace with those distractions, I have determined how to better handle them, and I am closer to The One who brought me there in the first place.

No matter where you are on your career journey, going on a Silent Retreat is always good for the soul.? Get away from it all and returned refreshed like you never been before.? At checkout, I simply stated “It is difficult to leave”.? And it was – I look forward to my next one whenever that may be.