The Taste & See Retreat Description
The Taste & See Gathering Retreat is a gentle introduction to Christian contemplative spirituality for those who are new to contemplative prayer, while also offering a deeply nourishing experience for seasoned contemplatives longing to return again to silence, stillness, and the presence of God.
Whether you are just beginning or have walked the contemplative path for years, this retreat creates sacred space to slow down, listen deeply, and draw from a rich variety of contemplative prayer practices. Experienced contemplatives understand that we are always novice pilgrims in the unfolding journey of seeking deeper union with Christ.
Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, retreatants are invited to Taste & See as they explore both the history and lived practice of contemplative spirituality through experiences such as:
• Contemplative Reflection
• Lectio Divina
• Breath Prayer
• Centering Prayer
• The Examen
• Ignatian Imaginative Prayer
• Body Prayer
• Prayer Walking
• Breathwork
• Three Center Grounding through the Enneagram
Throughout the weekend, retreatants pray both alone and together, practicing the kind of solitary soul work that cannot fully be done in isolation. There is space for journaling, silence, sacred listening, communal reflection, and witnessing the movement of God within each contemplative practice. As retreatants Taste & See that the Lord is good, many discover fresh invitations for daily life, spiritual formation, and deeper intimacy with Christ.
The Taste & See Gathering Retreat offers an opportunity to step away from hurried, fragmented living and enter into a sacred and supportive environment marked by solitude, silence, stillness, and Christian community.
Held at Hi Point Ranch in Desdemona, Texas, each retreatant is given a private bedroom to allow the weekend to become a true retreat. With cozy spaces for reflection, a chapel for prayer, delicious meals, soulful worship, and more than 1,000 peaceful acres to explore, the retreat offers room for both rest and renewal.
Many retreatants come alone, often without knowing anyone else attending. Over the course of the weekend, a gentle and welcoming sense of community naturally forms as people share sacred space together. There is no pressure to perform, impress, or “fit in.” You are invited simply to come as you are.
No prior experience in contemplative prayer is required. Our facilitators gently guide each practice throughout the retreat, allowing each participant to engage at the pace that feels natural and life giving.
During the retreat, participants begin to Taste the possibility of living contemplatively and See how contemplative practices can deepen prayer, enrich spiritual life, and awaken greater compassion, groundedness, and transformation.
After a Hineni Gathering Retreat, our prayer is that retreatants leave with a greater love for Christ, a deeper understanding of their calling, and a renewed ability to integrate their inner life of contemplation with their outer life of service. We hope each person departs more centered in Christ, more grounded in their identity in Him, and more awake to the presence of God in everyday life.
After a Hineni Gathering Retreat our prayer is that retreatants leave with a greater love of Christ, a deeper understanding of their call and how to integrate their inner life of contemplation with their outer life of service as they move forward more centered in Christ and grounded in their identity in Him.
