People have different ideas about what they are expected to do or how they are expected to prepare for a retreat, so here are just a few suggestions, if you want some guidance.

The first thing as far as retreats at Le Sentier Tranquille are concerned, is that you will be accepted where you are and for what you want to do.  If that means that you just have an idea that this is something that might help or just something you want to do, then that is fine.  If you would really like to spend some time preparing, but just don’t have the time because things are too hectic, then that’s ok too.  But if you have the time and the energy and want to do something relevant, then these ideas might help.

Our retreats aren’t silent, but there are times when there is silence, for instance during meditation.  Silence, real silence, is very difficult to achieve.  Most people are rarely in a place where they can’t hear something “going on” somewhere, but it’s not so much the outside noise as the noise from all the clutter going round in our heads that does most to ensure that we never experience silence.  So, if you have about ten minutes, sit somewhere that’s as quiet as it gets for you, somewhere comfortable, and just breathe steadily.  And when you can feel that your breathing is steady and regular, start to count to ten quite slowly.  When you get to ten, go back and start again.  Your counting need not be in time with your breathing, but it might be.  After you’ve done this a few times, (about six, but don’t worry about the exact number), stop counting and just stay still and relaxed.  You might find a picture or an idea or a thought come into your head – just consider it for what it is, and when you want to, end your session.  Do this as often as you like, when/if you can give yourself those few minutes.

This is slightly different, but maybe it’s something you can do when you’ve finished the previous exercise.  Take a large sheet of plain paper and some kind of pencil/pen/marker.  Different colours, if you like.  Draw some sort of symbol for yourself in the middle – don’t be modest, you can be in the centre of things – and then put symbols or words for the people who have had a connection with your life at some time and for those who have a connection now.  Position them nearer or further away from you according to how strongly you feel their influence now (whether they’re still around or not).

There’s another version of this, you can try, as well.  Put yourself in the middle again, and then place around you the various aspects of your life, nearer or further away according to their relative significance for you, things like family, companionship, work, faith, creativity, fitness, music, helping people, feeling secure…  you will have your own list.  See what sort of picture forms when you think you've finished.  And you can do both more than once.

What about reading?  If you like poetry, you may like to look up a collection by the American poet Mary Oliver, called Wild Geese.  If you fancy a novel, you could read “So many ways to begin” by Jon McGregor.  But let me stress again, none of this is a pre-requisite for joining us.