Our opening session begins with a discussion on how to establish an atmosphere of being “on retreat” while being in your ordinary world. You are vacating your everyday life, setting aside your usual routine. But obviously you cannot put aside the whole of your life, especially if you are sharing your life with others or going to work. So, how do you create the sacred space you need to reside in for the next nine days? An important realization for everyone to learn is that you are not withdrawing from your world for this retreat but remaining within it. You do not have to leave your world in order to achieve an inner state of reflection. This is a jewel of truth that will remain valuable to you long after you complete this workshop.

In addition, I will also discuss in this first session:

• The needs of the soul
• Holy listening
• Stating a purpose
• Importance of commitment
• What to avoid
• What to read
• Fasting – reasons to fast and why fasting is a part of the spiritual life
• Expectations
• Staying in the sacred space
• Prayer time