It’s hard to believe that just spelling one simple URL on a keyboard can cause me, almost reflexively, to smile, close my eyes, and breathe in and out slowly, deeply, and lovingly.
But it’s true. So I will key it in again, for you: www.contemplation.com.
That will take you to the website of New Camaldoli Hermitage, a silent monastery on the Northern California coast that’s as close to heaven as you can get and still be planted here on Earth. I’m back from my annual personal retreat there, where I go to write and think and be and dream and walk and see. Really see.
Before I continue, I must say that, although this is one of the world’s best kept secrets, I’m not afraid of ruining this divine refuge by exposing it. No more than 14 visitors can stay at one time. And you have to sign up for a room or private hermitage as long as a year in advance.
And if you’re looking for any kind of luxury at all, you’ll be sorely disappoined. We’re talking bare bones. A little desk. A chair. Two lamps. A twin bed. A toilet. A spa this is not. What it offers is silence, worship, wildlife, and freedom from cell phones, the Internet, and dishwashers.
The final reason I’m not worried about ruining New Camaldoli by sharing information about it is that there are so many similar centers throughout our nation. Such retreat centers welcome people of all faiths and spiritual bents, including atheists and agnostics. They are relatively inexpensive (many request but do not demand donations for lodging).
What’s so sad to me is how few people know about these precious and vital resources — better called "renews" than "retreats."
Visiting such centers represents not so much a retreat from reality, but a journey into what I consider the most authentic reality—that of the inner self, the soul, and the spirit, which awakens one’s senses, inspires healing, and feeds hope. Going on retreat makes my vision, hearing, even sense of taste more acute. On retreat, I know a deer is nearby because I hear a slight rustle in the woods a football field away. I hear my inner voice, and it opens my heart and mind, inspiring creativity. How I love to write on retreat.
Those of you who have read my book know that I wrote Help Me Live: 20 Thing People with Cancer Want You to Know on retreat at five different centers. Although I conducted my interviews in person and over the telephone, and my survey online, I actually put it all together in the peace of retreats.
For anyone who is stressed, wrestling with a decision, or, especially, taking care of someone who is ill, I highly recommend a personal retreat. For anyone seeking creative inspiration, I highly recommend a personal retreat. For anyone who is happy and at peace, in love or inspired, or teeming with joie de vivre, I highly recommend a personal retreat. Whether you can get away for two nights or two weeks, it’s worth it.
To find one in your area, see www.retreatsonline.com or www.retreatfinder.com. Or check the websites of religious denominations. Or visit the resource page on my website to see the centers I visited when writing my book.
Always hope,
Lori
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Lori Hope
Medical Writer • Editor • Author of
Help Me Live: 20 things people with cancer want you to know
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This post originally appeared in Hope’s CarePages.com blog, "what helps. what hurts. what heals."
HOw wonderful! This makes me really want to go on a retreat
I need one so badly! It's the only time I can really unplug…and it's amazing what springs forth from my heart and mind! There are some great places in southern CA. For me, the lack of luxury is a plus.
But many might prefer Canyon Ranch Spa, where I spoke a couple of weeks ago. Talk about lap of luxury!
Hope all's well with you!
Lori
Thanks for this Lori and next time you're at Canyon Ranch, say Hi to Dr. Jonathan Ellerby for me.
)
Oh this is so sweet. I love the idea of it. This makes me want to keep my laptop aside and make my room a retreat.
Thanks you so much for sharing!