Spiritual Retreat Meaning: Why it’s Important for Christians to Retreat
In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of spiritual retreat, look at the concept of retreat in the Bible, and consider the purpose of retreat as a tool for the spiritual formation of Christians.
Retreat in itself is an ancient practice found in some form or another in every spiritual tradition. Regardless of the spiritual tradition, the purpose of retreat is the same: to step away from the outer chaos of daily life in order to re-discover within ourselves a sense of peace and ease.
What is the meaning of a spiritual retreat?
Merriam-Webster defines retreat as “an act of moving back or withdrawing”. Thus a spiritual retreat can be understood as the act of withdrawing or moving away for a spiritual purpose.
Retreat, from a Christian perspective, is the practice of setting time apart to be with God and give Him our full attention.
One need not travel far to experience retreat. In fact, retreat could be as simple as sitting in meditation, or rolling out your yoga mat! Whatever your means, retreat as an intentional practice can be a powerful tool for spiritual formation for Christians who long for new rhythms that allow them to flourish and live an abundant life.
What Does Retreat Mean in Christianity?
Retreat is a spiritual practice, and much like the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude, the practice of retreat is rooted deeply in the Christian tradition. Ruth Haley Barton, founding president of the Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders writes,
“There has never been a time when the invitation to retreat is so radical and so relevant, so needed and so welcome. It is not a luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual life.”
In today’s fast-paced, information-saturated society, retreat is a vehicle to help you re-connect with yourself and with God. Best-selling books like The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Invitation to Retreat address the longings and overwhelm Christians have as they seek peace and a sense of calmness as they follow Jesus through their lives.
These books and others stress the importance and necessity for Christians to prioritize retreat and time away with God.
Jesus shows us what a retreat looks like in Christianity. He models a healthy rhythm of retreat and points to the purpose of retreat for the follower of Christ.
Throughout his life, we witness Jesus move away from the crowds in order to spend time with the Father, and then return to minister to the people. In doing so he teaches us the pattern of retreat, the rhythm of work and rest, and of pouring out and being poured into.
Where We See Retreat in the Bible
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-29
Jesus invites us to be with him. This is the crux of the Christian faith. We are invited into friendship with Jesus and told to follow him with our lives.
The purpose and meaning of a spiritual retreat is for Christians to step away from the chaos and busy-ness of our everyday life in order to “come away” with Jesus, and offer him our full and undivided attention. This is what a retreat is in Christianity!
Do we find retreat in the Bible? Yes! We find the concept and meaning of retreat in the Bible throughout the New Testament. Throughout the gospels, Jesus and his disciples are often described as going away from their ministry and leaving the crowds to go to a “secluded place”. The gospel according to Mark reports:
“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.” Mark 6:30-32, NASB
Do You Have to Travel For a Spiritual Retreat?
While travel is not necessary for retreat, Scripture tells us that Jesus often retreats to the wild, desolate, or lonely places. The Greek word from which these words are translated is “eremos” which can be translated as desert, deserted place, desolate place, solitary place, lonely place, quiet place, and wilderness.
Jesus often gets up early to go into the quiet, solitary places. And He invites his disciples to go with him into these deserted places in order to find alone time with their Heavenly Father.
The Benefits and Purpose of Retreat
The act of retreat helps us to slow down, draw inward, and reflect in order to be refreshed, renewed, and revitalized.
Jesus modeled spiritual retreat meaning for his followers as he withdrew into the wilderness, departed to lonely places, and sent the crowds away. For Jesus, the purpose of retreat was to commune with His Heavenly Father and to be fortified by the Spirit. The purpose of retreat is the same for Christians! It gives us the opportunity to draw near to God, to deepen our relationship, to listen for his “still small voice,” and to cultivate life in the Spirit.
If we are following Jesus, we will eventually hear his call to withdraw with him to “desolate places” in order to carve out time with the Father, to enjoy respite with the Spirit, and to nourish our souls. (Mark 1:35).
Retreat in the Bible is never solely for the purpose of retreat but to strengthen us spiritually in order to enter back into our lives and minister to a hungry, hurting, and hopeless world (Matthew 9:36).
Spiritual retreat is vital to a life following Jesus. If Christians do not find a rhythm of retreat, and a daily practice of going to the quiet, lonely, wild places with God, then we are likely to lose our way in the busy crowded schedules of our everyday lives.
What is a Yoga Retreat?
How does the meaning of a spiritual retreat and yoga fit together? There are many scientific benefits of yoga. The practice of yoga itself is a form of retreat from the chaos of our busy lives. As we step onto the mat, we learn the art of “getting still”, stepping away from stress, and setting distractions aside in order to find a sense of peace and ease. This is a powerful and life-giving practice!
Researchers studying “Blue Zones”, the places in the world with the healthiest, longest-living populations tout Yoga as a Remedy for Our Stressed, Sedentary Digital Age. The article states:
“Yoga combines movement and stress relief. It’s about being mindful, being in the body, and being in the moment. In my experiences in the blue zones, the older generation is wonderfully grounded and present. So the practice of yoga helps bring us to a place that these cultures have achieved through their way of life, and one that is very different from our own modern lifestyles of constant distraction and stress.”
Yoga teaches us to be present in the moment. Yoga as a spiritual practice, teaches us to awaken to the sacred in the ordinary. For Christians, yoga helps us to remember Emmanual our “God with us”.
Christ-centered yoga helps Christians to be present and gather ourselves fully: body, mind, spirit, and soul in order to be fully attentive and present with God!
A Christ-centered yoga retreat is a powerful tool for the spiritual formation of Christians. Combining the practice of retreating to the “desolate” places with Jesus while incorporating the spiritual practice of Christ-centered yoga can have a synergistic effect and offer many benefits.
The Benefits of a Yoga Retreat
- Shift of perspective, seeing the world around us and within us with new eyes
- Renewed heart and mind
- Clarity and focus of mind on eternal things
- Deeper connection with oneself and others
- Recognition of a higher power (God)
- Sense of peace
- Heightened awareness
- Relinquish of control
- Deeper communion and closer relationship with God.
Join the Getting Still Yoga Retreat in April 2024
Jesus, modeled RETREAT for us as he withdrew into the wilderness, departed to solitary places, and sent the multitudes away. Want to experience the meaning of a spiritual retreat for yourself?
Getting Still retreats are crafted with this model in mind. During Retreat, we will unplug from daily distractions in order to plug into the Peace, Truth and Love of God through teachings, meditation, movement, creativity, play, and deep rest.
Want to join me on Getting Still’s next Christian yoga retreat?
Come experience ‘pura vida’ and learn the art of living abundantly through therapeutic yoga practices, nourishing meals, thoughtful teachings, rich vibrant community, and plenty of time for relaxation and play! Get details here.
