Are we afraid of ourselves?
This evening I had dinner with the son of a friend of mine. The friend is at a weekend church retreat for men. When I asked the son why he hadn't gone, his response was that they often stay up until midnight; there is no rest or quiet time.
Why do we do this? I used to see it in the workplace as well. Retreats are scheduled to encourage employees and improve their skills. Yet there is little time for them to get to know each other or for creative thinking.
Many religious retreats follow the same pattern. From early morning you are scheduled for prayer - 15 min., breakfast - 30 min., speaker - 90 min., small group discussion - 45 min., and so on. Is it because so many people are afraid of quiet -- so many don't want to be alone with their thoughts -- so many don't want to spend time in contemplation? Are these folks afraid of their own thoughts? Perhaps they are afraid they won't have any.
I suggested to my friend's son that he try a retreat at a monastery. He will have plenty of quiet time for prayer, reading, writing, or just thinking -- if he is not afraid of it. At most monasteries there's not much going on after 8 p.m. Perhaps we need to encourage those who are afraid to be alone with their thoughts to try it for short bursts of time. Don't turn the radio on during the drive to work. Take a walk by yourself during lunch. Turn off the TV or radio for an hour before bed time. Who knows, you may even hear God speak to you.
+ pax
Why do we do this? I used to see it in the workplace as well. Retreats are scheduled to encourage employees and improve their skills. Yet there is little time for them to get to know each other or for creative thinking.
Many religious retreats follow the same pattern. From early morning you are scheduled for prayer - 15 min., breakfast - 30 min., speaker - 90 min., small group discussion - 45 min., and so on. Is it because so many people are afraid of quiet -- so many don't want to be alone with their thoughts -- so many don't want to spend time in contemplation? Are these folks afraid of their own thoughts? Perhaps they are afraid they won't have any.
I suggested to my friend's son that he try a retreat at a monastery. He will have plenty of quiet time for prayer, reading, writing, or just thinking -- if he is not afraid of it. At most monasteries there's not much going on after 8 p.m. Perhaps we need to encourage those who are afraid to be alone with their thoughts to try it for short bursts of time. Don't turn the radio on during the drive to work. Take a walk by yourself during lunch. Turn off the TV or radio for an hour before bed time. Who knows, you may even hear God speak to you.
+ pax
posted by ivars krafts at
6:49 PM
