What to Expect during a Contemplative Retreat
What to Expect During a Contemplative Retreat
There are many reasons why we decide to go on retreat.
- Life is crazy and I need to regroup, unplug and rest.
- Someone I know said a retreat changed their life and I’m interested in changing mine.
- I’ve grown distant from God and want to return and reconnect spiritually.
- I long for some intentional community and connection with other believers.
A Christian Contemplative Retreat can offer a peaceful environment for all of those reasons and most provide sacred safe spaces to nourish your soul.
If you've never been on a Spiritual Retreat, you may be unsure of what to expect or where to go for recommendations of one that suits your needs.
Who Attends? Spiritual retreats can be designated for specific groups of people organized by age, marital status, personal growth or intention for knowledge. Retreats are typically open to everyone, but be sure to read the description to make sure you will fit in. Hineni Gathering retreats are for people of all ages from all walks of life. All are invited to gather in a sacred space that is safe for the soul in what we call a circle of trust.
What is the format? Contemplative retreats sound scary to some and heavenly to others as they offer intense spiritual re-connectivity but not if you don’t know how to use the ‘silence’ to be still and know that He is God. When looking for a retreat, make sure you are comfortable with the purpose of the retreat so that it fits your needs.
Hineni Gathering retreats offer a Taste & See Retreat that is a helpful introduction to Christian Contemplative Spirituality and prayer practices. Drawing from the Christian contemplative tradition, retreatants explore the history & methodology of these abiding practices: Contemplative Reflection, Lectio Divina, Breath Prayer, Centering Prayer, the Examen, Imaginative Prayer, Body Prayer and Prayer Walking, Welcoming Prayer, Loving Kindness meditation, and the tool of the Enneagram.
Our format is to teach the prayer practice then we pray, journal and witness in what we call ‘Alone & Together’ prayer sessions we call ‘sits.’ Within the community of a prayer sit we allow space for God to continue to speak through His beloved people after He has first spoken to our souls through prayer and journaling.
Hineni Gathering Ministries also offers an Awakening Retreat: A Pilgrimage to Essence which is a transformative weekend journey that integrates the Enneagram’s three centers—mind, heart, and body—to deepen spiritual presence, self-awareness, and soulful realignment. Through contemplative practices, guided teachings, and sacred silence, participants that know their Enneagram Type can embark on a pilgrimage inward to rediscover their true essence and live with grounded clarity and open-heartedness.
Where the retreat is held matters. One thing you can definitely expect from any Christian retreat is an opportunity to experience the stillness and solitude found in silence most often near nature. Retreats in quiet areas near woods, mountains and lakes help us reconnect with our creator. Going to a retreat in a beautiful place makes it easier to leave your stress behind and unplug.
Hineni Gathering Retreats are held at the Watchtower Ranch on almost 1000 beautiful acres that include walking trails, prayer gardens, hills and water, wildflowers, birds and livestock, rocking chairs on wide open porches, and a chapel filled with music and creative resources. Being in a rural environment can make it easier to connect with nature and build your relationship with God and having your own bedroom provides an extra special safe space to restore your soul. The ranch house has sweet nooks inside like a garden room and library and the chapel is a favorite.
A Typical Day at a Hineni Gathering Retreat
Friday afternoon arrival gathers around a cheese and charcuterie board as we introduce ourselves. We serve home cooked food and give time for worship and star gazing. Saturday morning is done your way. We do not get you up early so you can rise at your pace. Join others for breakfast or sleep in. Our first session begins at 9am and we continue the morning with meaningful sessions before lunch. Saturday afternoon has room for free time. We end the day with dinner and fun. Sunday morning many greet the magnificent sunrise found at the Ranch then enjoy the gift of fellowship.
A balance of alone and together, structure and free time. You can use the calmness of the retreat to unplug and recenter. You may have never done this before and it may seem strange at first, but when we're quiet we find we are more presence. Whatever you're seeking from a Christian retreat, God will be found.
Returning Home After a Spiritual Retreat. It may be hard for you to return home after experiencing the silence of a retreat and a community of love from likeminded people. You may feel like a new person or be tempted to jump right back into the swing of things, but it's important to take it slow. Remember the peace that you felt on your retreat and carry that with you. Hineni believes its very important we don’t leave you at the gate of the Ranch. We have continued opportunities to join us on ZOOM video conferencing to revisit the prayer practices you learned while on retreat or do deep contemplative enneagram work.
After a contemplative retreat, you will experience peace so take the opportunity to engage in a daily practice you have learned. Practice prayer when you feel stressed. Remember what you learned at your stay at the Ranch. Allow new time for self-reflection in your everyday life to be more connected with God.
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.