Silent Retreats & Pools: Choosing the Conditions for Inner Shift

Photo by Faithe, and taken at Mercy by the Sea.

I’m headed to the beautiful retreat center on the Connecticut shoreline, Mercy By the Sea. I’ll be meeting with six folks every day for a week, providing spiritual presence for the duration of their retreat.

There’s been growing interest in silent retreats, but many find the idea exotic or intimidating. For those who are contemplative-curious, maybe you want to try a weekend retreat, or even a morning? There are plenty of simple ways to taste silence too. One of my favorites is to turn off my music or podcast while I’m in the car. It gives the mind rest. It lowers my sensory overload. So simple. But it works!

In the opposite direction, last month I found myself craving an outdoor pool. The temps were blazing hot, but what I really wanted was a mood shift. And it worked. The kids screamed, played and splashed. I waded in to cool off, but otherwise read a book. And every once in a while, I grinned from ear to ear. Is it possible to be miserable at a pool - unless you’re craving quiet? 😄

We might have a sense that we’re condemned to the mental or emotional conditions that are floating through our minds in any given moment, but that’s not true. We can consciously put ourselves in situations that change those conditions, or at least give them a chance to shift. By turning off the radio. Signing up for a silent weekend. Or heading to the pool…

What’s coming up for Bright Soul this August?

Join Me for a Bright Soul Meet-Up!
This month’s topic is The Power of Quiet: How to Find and Cultivate More Quiet in your Life. Join me on Zoom on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 pm EST. Watch for a link that week.
⭐ Want to invite a friend? They can sign-up to receive the Zoom link here.

Free Soul Friending Session
Are you at a turning point in your life, or know a friend who could use some spiritual support? Experience your first Soul Friend Session for free by mentioning this email. Check out my website for more information on how to schedule a session.

Listen/Watch the Latest Episode of The Wild Holy Podcast
Faithe & I are still having fun with The Wild Holy podcast. We are brainstorming some fascinating guests for the fall. Stay tuned. You can check out our latest episode, “Paul in Presence: Threads of Contemplation & Creativity in Life, Ministry & Recovery from Addiction” on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

Take care, Bright Soul,