| Few people have ever found the hidden treasure | | | | place is one anecdote to our stress. |
| in observing a special kind of Christian spiritual | | | | As a Christian, I know how good it is to connect |
| retreat called a retreat of silence. Some have | | | | in spirit with God. So I take a Christian spiritual |
| other ways to describe it: meditation, listening to | | | | retreat once a year, at least. The idea is very |
| the inner self, hearing the voice of God. Whatever | | | | simple. Find the most quiet, peaceful place you |
| you prefer to call it, a day of silence gives breath | | | | can. A retreat center often has single rooms |
| to the soul. For Christians, this kind of retreat can | | | | available for these kinds of guests. Perhaps you |
| be truly spiritual. The traditional retreat format | | | | prefer to stay at a local hotel for the day. Ask a |
| includes games, activities, and lectures, which can | | | | good friend who will be traveling if you could use |
| unfortunately take the place of actually | | | | their home for the day while they are gone. This |
| communicating with God. The day of silence is | | | | spiritual retreat for any Christian does not have to |
| just the opposite. The only things you do all day | | | | cost a dime. Just be sure to find a comfortable |
| are talk to God and listen for His voice. | | | | spot with no phones, no TV, and no radio. |
| We are inundated with sound everywhere we go. | | | | Most people who plan a day of silence prefer to |
| The car radio blasts on when I turn the key. The | | | | find an outdoor setting. Some prefer to hike, |
| grocery store is playing Aerosmith in "musak! " | | | | others to sit. If this sounds like the kind of spiritual |
| And you can learn how to speak Italian when | | | | retreat that fits you, be sure to bring along |
| visiting the rest room in your favorite restaurant, | | | | several things to make your experience more |
| as they play language tapes over the speaker | | | | enjoyable. Bring the following: cushion, journal, pen, |
| system! Planes zoom. Trains screech. The TV | | | | portable alarm clock, snacks, insect repellent, hat, |
| blares with commercials. Did you ever notice that | | | | sunscreen, warm jacket, hiking shoes, and water |
| you can virtually never escape the noise? Just as | | | | bottle. The day is yours...indulge in the solitude! |
| a body needs rest, so does the spirit. A quiet | | | | |