The practice of Solitude, Silence and Retreat are practices of removing ourselves from people and sounds in order to deepen our recognition of God’s voice and movements in our lives. This can be a few moments during our normal day, or a half, whole or multiple days away from our regular routine. Usually, other disciplines are practiced during these set-aside times
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
Ways to practice:
- Set aside uninterrupted time (10 minutes, an hour, ½ day, full day, several days) in an uninterrupted space, by yourself, without technological distraction, to be alone with God. Rest in God’s love and presence, and/or practice other disciplines like study, prayer, examen, journaling, etc. Ask someone familiar with these practices for help in structuring your time.
- Take 3-5 minutes in the morning to sit in a quiet place. Remind yourself that you are God’s beloved. Listen for God’s movement in your life.
- Drive or commute without listening to music, news, podcasts, etc.
What results might we expect?
- Quieting the noise/activity outside sometimes amplifies the “noise” inside, giving us a chance to bring it to God to quiet.
- Creating quiet internal space to deeply hear and receive the love, voice, direction, presence of God and form faithful responses to God’s invitations
- Freedom from reliance on or addiction to noise, sound, being occupied, others’ opinions, and “producing”.
- Exposing of hidden motives and compulsions, and embrace of our true identity in Christ – we are ‘beloved’.
- As God deepens our sense of belovedness apart from what others think of us, what we do, think, feel, and control, we recognize the belovedness of others apart from those things as well. We develop compassion and sensitivity to others’ lives.
- Being alone with God reveals our compulsions, allowing us to unhinge from our addictions to religion, culture, money, food, material possessions, etc, so that we can develop wise relationships with the world.
“Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself.” Teresa of Avila
“We are so afraid of silence that we chase ourselves from one event to the next in order to not have to spend a moment alone with ourselves, in order to not have to look at ourselves in the mirror.” Dietrich Bonheoffer
For more exploration of Silence, Solitude and Retreat:
https://www.soulshepherding.org/2005/08/solitude-and-silence/