How To Prepare For Illinois Womens Spiritual Retreats

By Peter Fox


Retreats are about abstaining in order to reconnect with your inner energies. They call for mental intensity, discipline, physical rigors and silence. For a retreat to be successful, you need to prepare comprehensively. Seasoned Illinois womens spiritual retreats organizers have given tips that will enable everyone to have a successful recollection. Here are some of those tips.

Organizers issue guidelines and instructions that should be followed. These instructions revolve around reporting time, what you need to carry, the activities that will be taking place, schedule for each day, speakers, etc. Take note of these instructions to guide your preparation and ensure that you do not miss any session. Missing a session may disorient your entire retreat.

Handle all businesses that require your attention before entering the retreat center. This includes getting permission from work, informing your spouse, friends, family, etc. Switch off the phone or divert calls to a reliable person. This gives you peace of mind when entering the sessions. Pets should be handed over to responsible caretakers as well. If you are uncertain about their condition, it proves impossible to focus on the session because you will be overly concerned.

Your expectations need to be aligned to activities taking place at the retreat. Organizers ensure that activities and themes are aligned to the needs of participants. As such, the organization of a retreat for young women will differ from that of elderly ones. Check the themes to ascertain that you are the right target.

All baggage should be left behind. This includes phones, laptops, books and such accessories that do not add value to your recollection. Family members and friends should be provided with contact details of organizers to get to you in case an emergency arises. When you free your mind, it will be easier to recollect and enhance your spiritual life.

An open mind will add greater value to your recollection. While you might have preferred venues, facilitators, themes, etc, it is not always that they will align in one session. Open your heart to the people and activities lined up. Old topics and facilitators will not add value to your recollection. Be ready for a new routine and take whatever comes your way graciously. You will be surprised at things you never thought existed.

Preparation should begin long before the actual day and focus on all aspects of your life. This includes your mind, spirit, body and even actions. For instance, switch off the phone or avoid television during your favorite programs. This is part of restraint. Avoid the foods that you cannot go for a day without, get home straight from work, stay still for thirty minutes, etc. This helps the body to get into the mood of restraint and readiness to absorb what is on offer.

Pay attention to your body because it will also participate in the recollection. Take enough food and make your diet balanced. Exercise to avoid fatigue and take sufficient amounts of water. When your body is in perfect shape, you can concentrate longer and thus complete a successful retreat that is spiritually rewarding.




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