retreat musings.

Retreat is a concept that evokes a variety of emotions within an individual, depending upon the particular season in life they currently find themselves. The concept of retreat can be examined from a variety of angles to give one a fuller glimpse of the role retreat plays in their life. Retreat refers to the amount of time set aside to do something for the sake of the soul that ones ordinary lifestyle doesn’t permit (Dr. Coe). What does this definition imply? What are the important things to know before going on retreat? What are the benefits as well as difficulties with retreat? This paper will explore a few of these different angles of retreat.

Retreat in History

One has no idea what will occur when venturing upon retreat. In actuality, it is God that is bringing you to a realization of your need for retreat and time alone. When individuals are alone, this is often when God will speak. Jacob’s vision at Bethel and his wrestling with an angel both occur when he is alone (Genesis 28:10-17; Genesis 32:22-32). Moses is alone when he approaches the burning bush and when he ascends Mt. Sinai (Exodus 3:1-18; Exodus 22:18-23). Some of these instances are derived out of forced solitude. Jacob’s vision at Bethel exemplifies this reality. He was deprived of his family and had little to hold onto at that moment in life. It was at this time that God approached and initiated something specific with each of these persons. What does this mean as we approach a time of retreat? This should cause a deeper realization that we ourselves cannot cause anything to occur upon retreat. All that can be done on retreat is all that can be done at anytime in life: merely a presentation of ourselves to God for what he would have for us at that time. These examples from the Bible could also prompt us to be open to different instances in life where God could interrupt and make himself known. Jacob wasn’t intentionally fleeing so he could spend time seeking God, he was simply fleeing. But, he responded when the Lord came to him.

Approaching a Time of Retreat

Retreats are periods in life set aside to specifically present oneself to God. Often the desire to retreat emerges from a life circumstance or need that is coming to the surface. This need causes anxiety which evokes within the individual a desire for something specific (a certain question to be answered, or circumstance to be clarified) to happen on retreat. When one approaches a retreat with an extreme expectation or passion for something specific to occur, then discernment of what the Spirit desires could be impaired. This person exhibits what Van Kaam, a Catholic priest, specified as “Willful.” This willfulness within the individual inhibits openness to what God may desire to initiate with them. The Willful person wants answers and wants to make something happen. This extreme focus of the Willful person closes one down to the actual experience because they are searching so strenuously for the answer they desire. The extreme opposite of the Willful individual is that of a Will-less person. This person is already in despair, and thinks nothing will take place on retreat. They don’t want to have expectations because they don’t want to be disappointed. Inside, the Will-less person is despairing. The middle ground here would be to move to “Becoming” or “Being Willing.” Specifically, this means opening to God, and thus reality.



Most individuals seek out a retreat because they have a specific felt need. They are already burned out; a specific life decision is needed and they need an answer. However, habits that were already formed in daily life prior to the retreat will be taken into the retreat experience. Habits of repression and habits of distraction have already developed and will rear their heads during the retreat. Because the answer to their specific question is being frantically sought after, it will be difficult for the individual to quiet themselves and listen to God within that situation. Often when one goes on retreat, this anxiety and franticness to discover an answer has accumulated over such a long period of time, it simply bursts during a time when all other distractions are gone. This is not simply to say that going on retreat because of a specific need is not a good. It is still good to set aside time and seek the Lord, however, one must be aware of what they are bringing with them on retreat. It also cannot be stressed enough how what is going on in life prior to the retreat (certain habits developed, etc) will be present during the time of retreat. Therefore, it is important to ask certain questions prior to venturing upon a retreat. Mainly, does ones daily schedule provide sufficient time with God?

More should be said concerning anxiety. Anxiety is not a sin. Anxiety actually reveals areas in our life that are not at rest. Worry, or continual absorption with specific anxieties, is sin. Fullness of rest will only be experienced as one opens to Spirit and experiences love at the core. God does not experience anxiety, because he knows all will be well. Anxiety often begins to emerge as areas of heart you desire to keep hidden are penetrated. Anxiety is a defense used to keep these deeper parts of your heart from being penetrated.

Autonomy and Attachments

Retreat is a time of solitude. We detach from normal human attachments in order to enable the Spirit to move freely and hopefully we will be open to his truth. The fundamental truth is that we need God at the core of our being as friend and lover. When all other human attachments are stripped away, it becomes easier for this truth to penetrate to the surface. The problem arises as you discover during retreat how little you really depend upon and love God. During a life full of doing and distractions, it becomes easy to bury these deep truths about yourself to a deeper unconscious level. Certain retreats could potentially help you (with the power of the Spirit) discover how full of yourself you still are, despite the new identity at the core. At the core the Believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, however, the habits stemming from autonomy experienced since birth gives root to the deep belief that we can fix ourselves. The temptation on retreat is to attempt to fix oneself in the power of oneself, when all one can do is open to the work of God.

What can be said at this point is that many people live their entire lives without penetrating past these surface level beliefs and understanding about themselves. It is easier to not go deeper, for what if one attempted to go deeper and nothing was found? This is a great unconscious fear, and thus hinders people from opening themselves up to traverse deeper into the reality of their hearts. Often individuals feel a few hints, via longings, that something deeper and more meaningful exists, but they have no idea how to dive any deeper. It’s at this point that individuals begin to fake a meaningful life, and do this so incredibly well they begin to believe it themselves. Longings that urge and beckon them to something greater are repressed. The individual that finds themselves in this position is tempted to live simply a moral life. They forget this life isn’t merely about being good, but ultimately relationship with the living God.

Retreat is a period set aside to allow certain distractions fall away and listen to the work of God. However, when on retreat and areas of sin come to the conscious level, the temptation will be to fix it within ones own power. The most dangerous thing at this point arises from those individuals desiring to derive a “meaningful time” on retreat. These individuals will do anything to conjure up the feelings of “meaningfulness,” and thus will try to undo those areas of sin which have risen to the surface. Instead of opening those areas of sin and darkness to another person (God), the individual shoots up quick confessional prayers to cover and fix themselves. Retreats have the ability to open new horizons to explore and experience ones true self. This is vital, because only the true self can receive God’s love.

Types of Retreat

A variety of types of retreats should be implemented throughout ones life. What is going on prior to retreat should be examined. Different types of retreats will be needed depending upon ones life circumstance and where God has you at for the moment. To explore some of the issues discussed above, a silent retreat may be a good choice. Extended time of silence provides ample opportunity away from distractions to really focus, listen and “let be.” Another type of retreat is the Disinterested Intellectual Retreat. This retreat is designed simply for one to enjoy things for the sake of enjoyment. One could venture on a Petitionary Prayer Retreat. The entire time could be focused on praying for others. A Praise or Adoration Retreat is a time of intentional praise to God. Some individuals may need a Complaint Retreat, where everything bothering one in life is simply laid out before God in a stream of consciousness fashion. This stream of consciousness approach to retreat could help one identify what is going on beneath the surface. For what emerges during this time reveals what is really on heart. Basically, there isn’t one right way to retreat. A variety of forms exist. However, it is important to have a basic understanding of the components of retreat and what issues could arise while one is on retreat.

Conclusion

God desires relationship with us. A retreat is time set aside to do something for the sake of the soul that ones ordinary lifestyle doesn’t permit. At different instances a period of refreshment is needed, and a retreat offers time away from various distractions. God is beckoning us to this place of restoration, if only we would break away from the fears which hold us back from entering these times (Griffin, 2). A great philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard once made the simple and true statement that the “purity of heart is to will one thing.” Through entering retreat, distractions are removed and wrongful attachments arise to the conscious level. As we present all of ourselves (including wrongful attachments) to the Lord, we will experience a radical transformation stemming from the experience of love in our core.