The Power of Silence: July Silent Directed Retreat at Prairiewoods (in person)

Overview

We invite you to consider this question: What’s the deepest silence you’ve ever known? Silent Directed Retreats offer opportunities to enter into deep silence to sense what it feels like to awaken a quiet and palpable connection with the Source of All Being. Each day you will receive ongoing direction as you and a professionally-trained spiritual director intentionally listen to the movement of the Source of All Being in your heart. Silence assists you to get in touch with feelings, thoughts and actions as you reflect, meditate, pray and rest. Silence deepens the capacity to discern, notice, sense the movement of the Source of All Being within the whole of your life. Sharing with a professional may bring you clarity, deepen your commitment and accountability to the direction of your life, and offer insight into that direction. At Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha), we try to hold any outside stimulation to a minimum so that everything—the silence, solitude, reflective activities, meals, etc.—supports your journey within. A daily centering practice is offered. Optional reflective activities such as artwork, yoga and singing bowl meditation are available throughout the week. Even meals are eaten reflectively in silence. Each day supports your individual needs. Stroll woods and prairie. Sense sunset quietly turn to dusk. Journal or read, if you choose. Nap. Engage in yoga, art expression, meditation. Notice how food nourishes your capacity for silence. Explore holding the silence with creation all around you: humans, stone, tree, pond, squirrel, deer, turkey, star, moon, dawn, dusk … Is the silence simply the absence of noise? Or is it also a presence unto itself? See for yourself! Come re-establish and remember the deep connection we share with all of Creation as we listen together to the great silence. Take time to rest in silence, to sense its wisdom, to know its fullness as it offers you life. Author Carolyn Myss assures: “The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind." This retreat will be led by Ann Jackson, PBVM; Leslie Schwarting; Lucille Winnike, FSPA; and Joann Gehling, FSPA. The cost of this weeklong retreat is $525 and includes lodging, meals and spiritual direction. (Lodgers only, please. Partial scholarships are available.) For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at www.Prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700.