Silent Retreat
As a closure to my youth discipleship course in TTC, all students were to go for a 3 days 2 nights silent retreat with our lecturer. The retreat was held at Canossian Convent at Bukit Timah Road.
It was really an eye-opener. We were not encouraged to talk to one another during the retreat except for sharing time. We were not supposed to talk during lunch time too. Even if you really need to talk, you had to speak in whispers. You can imagine how quiet the whole place is. You are just by yourself, your thoughts and God.
For the 1st time in my life, I had a chance to experience what it is like to live in solitude, in the way of nuns, monks, priests.. My room is a testament of simple living with bare essentials. It was small but comfortable. I love staying in my room; even if it is to just while away time. Perhaps there is this knowledge that I need not do or worry about anything that makes the time very relaxing and peaceful.
There is also this mega-sized labyrinth (for more information on labyrinth) unlike those I went before with stations and directed thoughts and prayers. This labyrinth is a maze of nothingness, you just need to follow the path which took me about half an hour. Throughout the time, I had a great conversation with God and had a lot of time to reflect on my thoughts and conversations.
That was my lecturer walking the labyrinth.
Though I only managed to attend 2 days 1 night, it was a very good break for me especially after a series of unfortunate events. It was through this retreat that I realise how much God loves me, I was very much ministered by His words and presence. My life must be so noisy that I cannot hear Him speak to me. I thought I will need a while to settle into solitude and comtemplation. I was rather awed that within a short span of time, God taught me a few faith lessons that I badly needed. I was so encouraged by the encounters I had with Him during the retreat. But it also reminded me that even as I go back to the reality world, I need to set aside solitude time like these; to take stock of my life, work and ministry.
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