Enjoy a snack and drink some water. Connect with God through practices that help you relate to him and to rest in his presence. You could read the Scriptures, practice centered prayer, write a psalm, make a thank-you list, or go hiking with God. Take good care of yourself in the presence of God.
Do anything you want that leaves room for your soul to worship and listen. This prayer guide to creating space for God could be useful. On the day of your retreat, allow yourself to relax at your retreat. Sit in silence, close your eyes and take three deep breaths.
This short ritual helps calm your nervous system and prepare you for a moment of relaxation and connection. You can also start your retreat with a brief meditation, a prayer, or setting an intention. The first step in planning a spiritual retreat is choosing a topic. Topics can be revealed through prayer, debate, books, or online sources.
A spiritual retreat is the perfect time to overcome emotions without forcing yourself to feel what you think you “should feel”. No age, race, gender, special attributes, social class, or specific background are required to participate in a spiritual retreat. Most spiritual retreats include accommodation in wonderful places, healthy and delicious meals and meditation practices, or mindfulness exercises during the day. Since one of the goals of a spiritual retreat is relaxation, try to stay away from excess caffeine and sugar.
For generations, people have been taking spiritual retreats to meet God and experience spiritual renewal. You can plan a spiritual retreat at home with some simple activities in whatever space you have available. We studied one of those seven-day programs in Pennsylvania based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.
Finally, anyone looking for a way to achieve a sense of lasting peace, connect to the power of divinity, or find purpose in their life could benefit greatly from joining a spiritual retreat. In general terms, a spiritual retreat is a safe space where you can experience complete renewal and gain a high level of self-knowledge. The experience can change several aspects of a person's life, such as mental health, physical health, the sense of meaning and purpose of life, the sense of spirituality, and the sense of religion. Larissa Marks is spiritual director, ministry planter and director of spiritual formation at Mission Bluewater Church in Honolulu, Hawaii.
This can occur in part as a result of the concentration aspect of spiritual retreat programs and of the persistent and intense meditation that is part of them. If you're already on the path of self-exploration, joining a spiritual retreat is a great way to accelerate your inner journey and fill existing gaps.