Comments on: XIX: Retreats

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:20:58 +0000

What I wouldn’t do for a retreat right now!!! I am a cooperator for Opus Dei and so I know yearly retreats well. They are so wonderful to refresh your spirit and recharge your relationship with the Lord.

I love your blog and thank you for all your wonderful posts. I will be visiting often!

Blessed Be God forever!

Brown does a lot for me as well–loved that post too!

JMJ

Kimberly

By: lwestin

lwestin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:27:51 +0000

I actually have a friend who left his hectic life as a lawyer and spent about three yers on retreats and pilgrimages. He’s now a missionary in Uganda, so watch out!

By: David L Alexander

David L Alexander — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:56:01 +0000

Actually, the first retreat was that of Elijah. You know, the one where he hides in the cave waiting for the “still, small voice…”

By: angelmeg

angelmeg — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:16:21 +0000

I go on a yearly retreat. I use it as a check up/check in time to make sure that God and I are on the same page. I wouldn’t give it up for the world. My husband and kids always know when it is about time for my yearly retreat and are very happy when I go.

It is beneficial to all of us for me to go away and get it all in order, metaphysicallly speaking. Or they just need to get me out of the house for a few days.

By: angelmeg

angelmeg — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:13:15 +0000

The Labyrinth is based upon the pattern on the floor of the Cathedral at Chartre and was intended to take the place of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during the Crusades when travel there was dangerous. When one uses the experience as an ever deepening movement toward the heart of God (true contemplation) there is nothing new age at all about them.

You might be able to find one at a local Unitarian Center if you are really interested. They have coopted the Labyrinth.

By: Meredith Gould

Meredith Gould — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:16:18 +0000

Love the post, IC, especially your second paragraph about the origins of and biblical evidence for retreats. Cells phones as Evil One…LOL.

Re: labyrinths. Being a kinesthetic learner, I’ve found them an extraordinary means for contemplation and have been moved to unexpected tears by the experience…which did not include burning sage and other rites expropriated from Native Americans! Jesus weeps.

By: The Ironic Catholic

The Ironic Catholic — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:13:32 +0000

Ray, my opinion about the labyrinth is it is all about how it is used. I mean, there’s one at the Chartres Cathedral, it can be a very Christian meditation. Some people love the pacing, the peace and quiet, the deliberateness of it all. It honestly doesn’t do anything for me as a form…If I want to go on a prayer walk, I want to really walk and get a good stride going.

By: TotaTua

TotaTua — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:00:13 +0000

LABYRINTHS – eeeek – be afraid – very afraid as they are applied in “new age” spirituality. offering gifts of burning sage to the 4 corners and mother and father god.

Now granted, elsewhere in the world – other than the West Coast – there may be more prayerful uses of a labyrinth. Having been there and done that – don’t think it is any way comparable to a retreat!

By: Ray from MN

Ray from MN — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:51:14 +0000

Some pals claim that an hour on a labyrinth is worth a three day retreat? Did they have labyrinths in the olden days?

I’ve sought them, but have never been able to find one? Do you suppose my guardian angel is hiding them from me?