10 Lessons Learned from a Silent Retreat

Last weekend I went on a silent retreat in the wilds of Alabama at Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat Center in Holy Trinity, AL.  I really was looking forward to it, because I had too much going on in my brain – you know the “too much to do, not enough time to do any of them well” mentality.  Despite a forecast of ice and possibly snow, plus very cold weather, I took off by myself on this adventure.

Now after several days back home and reflecting on the whole experience, I would like to share my top 10 lessons learned from the weekend, so that if you plan to do a silent retreat, these might be useful.

1.  Do not listen to work/business podcasts, channels or CDs on the way to your retreat.  I did do this and when I arrived, I was still in work mode and had difficulty letting go of it for the first evening. Listening to music is ideal.
2.  Do allow time to acclimate to the environment when you get there.  I did get to the center early and tried to take a nap, but I was too wired from driving 3 hours with business on my mind.  Do not rush in at the last minute before the program starts and expect to enter into ease right away.
3. Do the exercises.  This was a guided retreat.  We did have some talks by the presenter and she gave us suggested exercises to think and write about in our free time.  Doing the exercises really did help me immerse myself in the silence and gave me time to think and pray about the topic for the weekend which was, “Who Do You Say That I Am?”.  This was a question that Jesus asked his disciples from Matthew 16:13-17.
4. Do move your body, don’t just sit.  Despite the bad weather I walked and did isometrics in my room and in the building.  I found that moving was a kind of walking meditation and gave me a brain break.  Also, it kept me from getting stiff from sitting.  Some retreat centers offer yoga or walks and I highly recommend participating if at all possible.
5. Do eat healthy meals and snacks.  This is just common sense.  Your body, mind and spirit are not going to operate properly and you just aren’t going to feel good if you eat too much unhealthy food. I suggest limiting your sugar and caffeine, too.  It is hard to relax and breathe when you are hyped up. Most retreat centers offer healthy options.  Take advantage.
6. Do journal your thoughts and insights.  I have found it extremely helpful when I get home to remind me of the insights I got while in silence and from the private spiritual direction I got from the retreat leader.  When you get home and caught up the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can look back at what you learned that was helpful.
7. Do be open to new ideas, new thoughts and new ways of doing things that you can take back home. Be open to the experience, even if you were reluctant to go away for the weekend and spend it in silence.  You may surprised at what bubbles up.
8. Do allow re-entry time on the way and when you get home from a silent retreat.  Please warn your family members that you will need time to jump back in to the daily routine.  For example, my husband had spent the weekend purging and cleaning out some of the clutter in the house.  When I walked in the house, he was rarin’ to go to tell me all that still needed to be done and what I could do to help with this massive project.  I felt like I had been hit with a brick and it caused some friction. You can avoid this if you just give them a heads-up.
9. Do not plan a bunch of activities as soon as you arrive home.  Give yourself time to ease back into the daily routine. A gentle Sunday night is in order.  If you have children waiting at home, ask for help so you aren’t slammed the minute you come in the door.  This goes along with #8.
10. Finally, take time to reflect on the weekend in the days and weeks that follow the retreat.  Just like I am doing now.  Share with your spouse or trusted friend what you learned and insights you had.  Read over your notes and remember what ah-hah moments you had while on the retreat.  I think you will find that it was an amazing experience.

I would love to hear about your experiences with a silent retreat.  I know it did me a world of good and I received clarity on several problems that have been bothering me.  Please share in the comments section.

For more information about the retreat center: http://www.msbt.org/content/blessed-trinity-shrine-retreat

Jane Springer

Jane Springer is a certified Life, Wellness and Style Coach who assists women in taking care of themselves, in body, mind and spirit.  She coaches women who want to lose weight, avoid diabetes, and feel great. She also helps them thrive after divorce.  She also helps them to clear their closets of old clothes and outdated attitudes, so they can shine and feel confident.