Last week I went to a silent retreat.
It was at the Ruah Spirituality Center at Villa de Matel in Houston.
Each day, we met for two group sessions of Christian meditation.
We were free to explore all the other areas of the center.
In silence, of course.
There is a beautiful icon room.
There is are spaces where small groups or individuals can read or pray together indoors.
There are also several beautiful outdoor areas.
The porch.
The rooftop garden.
And a beautiful labyrinth.
All silent.
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You know I'm not sure I could go to one of those, I couldbe at peace onmy own in the outdoors but not with lot's of people doing the same. There is a retrete near where I live and th egrounds are a nice place to go round.
ReplyDeleteYou can see from the pictures that there are only a small number of other people there.
DeleteThat is so great and beautiful!! It is difficult to find quiet these days.
ReplyDeleteYes, especially in Houston.
DeleteLooks like a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI've been here three times now. It's a peaceful place.
DeleteI think that looks lovely. I love the pictures you shared and the peaceful look of things. How long did it last?
ReplyDeleteWe were there from Thursday to Sunday. Sometimes there are weeklong retreats. Sometimes the retreats are for just one day. It's a beautiful experience.
DeleteSo serene and calming to the mind and the soul! I really wish I could go in for one of those. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and joining us for #ww. Have a wonderful rest of the week, Deb :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a surprise when I learned that this beautiful place is right in the middle of Houston.
DeleteIt really looks very peaceful and nice. I wonder if I could do that, I am such a chatte"r box and to keep silent seems difficult to me, lol !
ReplyDeleteI'm a chatterbox, too, so I understand what you are saying. We probably wouldn't be bloggers if we were very quiet people!
DeleteIt looks like a beautiful, tranquil place. It would be difficult for me to keep silent for a lengthy amount time, though.
ReplyDeleteAt first it feels very odd, being silent, especially when sitting together with others in the dining room. But then you begin to be less aware of others and less aware of yourself and more in the presence of God. That's the best I can explain it.
DeleteI'd happily read silently on the porch and occasionally glance up at the lovely view. It's relaxing just to look at the pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect place to read. I brought along The Desert Fathers, and read much of it there on the porch, on the roof garden, out by the labyrinth.
DeleteI can sense the tranquility of the place. The porch looks like a lovely to just be.
ReplyDeleteVisiting here from the Wordless Wednesday link-up hosted by Natasha and Esha.
I love the entire place, but I think I like the outside areas best of all. The trees there are magnificent.
DeleteIt might surprise you. I was completely unaware of this place until I went there with friends.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy such a place.
ReplyDeleteI'm already making plans to visit again.
DeleteI remember you writing about this retreat last year and I think it's such a wonderful contemplative thing to do. I am not sure I could stay silent for so long as I am a real talker. It would probably be good for me.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Helen! My mom and I went to a yoga retreat and got kicked out of "silent breakfast" - just couldn't do it, especially together! ha ha
DeleteSo very lovely! This is for me!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I could stay silent that long, but I'd like to try. On my outings with my hiking group, there always seem to be conversations among us. And that's fun. However, our moments of silence are glorious. That's when we hear the birds sing, the wind in the trees, the gurgle of water in a nearby creek. Thank you for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteMore photos from Amazon’s Spheres on my Saturday Snapshot post.
How wonderful! It looks very peaceful there. Glad you were able to get away.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Sue
Book By Book
That's such an interesting thing to do. I see you've been three times now so you must really enjoy it. I enjoy my own company, and am fine with quiet in the house, I don't need tv on as "background", but will sometimes listen to music (more and more lately), and of course audiobooks. I do like a quiet carriage on a long distance train when travelling alone (although have only done it for 2-3 hours). I'm not sure how I'd go with a retreat, where there was enforced silence. Is it quiet even at meal times? I would find that the most awkward I think, sharing a table with people and purposely not talking to them.
ReplyDeleteIt is silent even during meals. It's not enforced; there is no rapping of the knuckles. But it is something that is so pleasant. Our world is so noisy.
DeleteCalming and serene. thank you for linking up with us and sharing. :)
ReplyDelete