What Is a retreat . . . one that is really good?

Form-wise or outwardly, we can appreciate a good retreat in terms of any or all of the following benchmarks: competence of the speaker or the retreat director, the peaceful ambiance of the venue, soothing music, appetizing food, warm reception, great topic, engaging activities, nice buddies, flowing coffee, etc..  And we're right on the mark since these are all important and valid indicators.

Then again, in terms of our interior or inner life, that is -how the retreat has touched our core being and moved us inside- would seem to me the more significant  way to measure. Did the experience speak to your heart? Was there a connection? A spark? Did it made your spirit come even more alive?

Source of Image:  ehow.com

People, in general, may seem to have the tendency to be so focused on the externals;  and who wouldn't be? After all this is our default as humans.  We want externals to satisfy us, to make us happy. Do they? Initially, yes, but, haven't you noticed that sooner or later same things or individuals or situations that made us happy then will be the same things, individuals or situations that will cause us unhappiness later? Well, that's a little digression and a very long story to discuss now. You don't need to believe this, just take a look at your own experiences. Then, you tell me.

Back to the retreat thing. Yet, we are also "beings" (not only humans), meaning there is an invisible core within us, the spirit, which is what any spiritual  retreat is trying to revive and to connect with? Thus, a good retreat is one that has allowed God to connect with your being, one which has made you experience genuine aliveness from within. Does this depend on the retreat alone? Or, could it be dependent more on the person's degree of allowing or openness?

To me, any retreat experience could be a game changer, that is, if the attendees are malleable enough to allow a miracle to happen.

Goodluck and join our ROAD TRIP recollection-workshop, an offering from Whole-ing Center for Spirituality and Healing, as a way to help you find God in your own life's journey. And who knows, this could also be a game changer for you. Scroll down to Feb, 5 post for details.

Retreats and the Chinese New Year

Retreat is taking time to pause in order to start afresh. The 2013 Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10.  It will be the year of the water snake and green is going to be the color of the year. On this happy occasion let me share with you some wonderful quotes about beginnings.

"You will never win if you never begin." - Robert H. Schuller 

"The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings." - Dave Weinberg 

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Sally Ber 

"Celebrate endings - for they precede new beginnings." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie 

"Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect." - Alan Cohen 

Source of Image: sinnersalmanac.blogspot.com

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Taking a spiritual retreat is one great first step. Trust that the rest will just follow to be able to move forward and charge ahead.

Transitions - ending phases of one's life  in order to experience beginnings- is precisely the main theme of the mini retreat (recollection) that will be held on March 16, 2013 in Quezon City. This recollection-workshop is entitled "ROAD TRIP: FINDING GOD IN YOUR LIFE'S JOURNEY" (Based on a retreat by Joyce Rupp, author of Dear Heart Come Home, with insights from William Bridges, author of Transitions.) 

Choose not to be alone in taking your life's journey. It is always best to have a trusted guide and the right company in this special journey. May we all start the New Year renewed and invigorated.

Interested? Text (0927)794-5354. More info are provided below- scroll down to post dated Feb. 5.

If you have any questions about retreats in general or about this Road Trip retreat in particular, please click comments link below and post them in the comments box.

Source of Quotes: 123newyear.com

What is a Retreat?

Are you wondering and would like to  learn more or less what a retreat is all about? Going on a retreat takes courage and a sincere desire to grow more or to uncover more of the inner you or the soul. Why would you like that to happen? Perhaps, in order for you to navigate this world with a little bit of ease and with a lot of joy? Then, let this blog  help you in your search and seeking.

Source of Image: hamy10.wordpress.com

 Any kind of searching takes time to undertake and to come up with some credible results since it is usually a very long (even a lifetime) process. But if you are in a hurry and would like to know first hand or to experience a repeat of a wonderful retreat,  there's a very good upcoming retreat-workshop this Lent in Quezon City. Here are the details and suit yourself:

ROAD TRIP*

Finding God in Your Life’s Journey

This is going to be a lenten recollection-workhop for men and women of mature age.

• v                       walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life
•     discover God as your constant companion on your journey
• v                      reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus
• v                      uncover the gifts of these transitions

March 16, 2013

8 am to 5 pm (Registration starts at 7:30 am)

 Villa Maria Educational and Social Center

#53 Cuenco Street, Sta Mesa Heights, Quezon City

             

Retreat Director:
Ms Nina Robledo- Master of Theological Studies, Franciscan School of Theology (a member school of the   Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California)

Participants should bring a notebook, a pen, an old magazine with pictures.

Limited slots only. For Reservations and inquiries about the affordable fee, please text (0927)794-5354 or call 781-9140; 921-45-79 (8 am to 6 pm).