Retreat: n. 1. A quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax; 2. A period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation.

I find it interesting that the word “retreat” has militaristic and competitive meanings (which I purposefully left out above) as well as contemplative.

In all contexts though, it is about drawing back, drawing away from battle, from interaction, from regularly scheduled life. It is an attempt to eek out a space to reflect so that upon returning to the flow you are more empowered than before you left.

I think in daily life we need to find spaces and times of retreat. My favorite time to create retreat is in the morning. I make a cup of coffee and because the summer weather has been so pleasant these last couple weeks I am able to comfortably sit outside. During that time I can watch the sun rise while birds that frequent my yard chatter at each other. I admire the late summer flowers and have many opportunities to be grateful. This is a time for me to rest and relax and it is a time for meditation. My gratitude is often my only meditation, but it feels like enough.

I have a friend who has started taking daily walks in a local park. She snaps a picture and shares it with friends online. Once again, like me, she’s found a simple way to create a retreat in her daily life.

You don’t even need a ritual or a special place. Retreat can be just taking a moment, closing your eyes and inhaling deeply. Try it when you’re stopped at a red light or when you’re standing in line somewhere. Try it even when you’d rather be fretting about how long the light is taking and angry about how few lanes are open for check-out.

Related

  • I just found this listing online: True Nature, a retreat space that offers bodywork and plenty of opportunities to reflect and heal. It’s located a little over an hour northeast of Columbus in the heart of Amish country. What a great opportunity to take a short break from life-as-usual and really allow yourself to get grounded and relaxed. I appreciate how they frame the need for retreat:

“We believe our retreats are a beautiful gift you can give yourself. They are especially helpful during times of stress and strife when you feel depleted, overwhelmed and in need of some time to yourself. Another wonderful time to retreat is when you find yourself going through a major life change or transition (or more than one simultaneously!). Retreats can be nurturing support when you are recovering from a traumatic event or are dealing with grief, or if you are simply ready to enjoy the bloomy grin of being who you Are.