Jan 27-29, 2006
The word “retreat” comes form the Latin meaning to “draw back.” In spiritual retreats, we withdraw from the “real” world – from surface living – and enter deeper inner realms. For most, the inner journey remains uncharted and unexplored. Too often we become captivated by the busy and hectic nature of daily living, forgetting to reference our deeper, intuitive selves – our center. Thus, many of us become “lost,” feeling that our lives lack direction, purpose, or meaning. We find ourselves spinning out of control or else “going through the motions” rather than truly living.
Wintertime can be particularly difficult, with shortened days, reduced light, and challenging weather having an isolating effect. Moreover, the time during and after the “holidaze” can bring up feelings of loneliness and even depression.
A retreat offers us the opportunity to reassess our lives and to make changes. The opportunity to go within enables access to deeper answers and allows us distance and perspective. The benefits of a retreat are manifold: relaxation, rest, healing, reconnecting with oneself. Upon returning home, participants often report a new sense of balance, awareness, connection, and direction, for they’ve taken time to return to their center.
Most spiritual traditions recognize the importance of going within. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within.” A Sufi master said, “If human beings knew their own inner secrets, they would never look elsewhere seeking happiness and peace.” A well known Wiccan prayer ends with “And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.” The whole thrust of Buddhist or Hindu meditation is to quiet the mind and delve inside.
This winter Rowe offers a new opportunity. The Gay Men’s Winter Retreat will help you create a rainbow bridge until springtime. Together we will explore profound issues of life purpose, bridge the schism between sexuality and spirituality, and learn about conscious relationships. You will attain an expanded sense of your purpose as a gay man and gain a bigger perspective on yourself and life in general. You will reconnect spiritually and develop a deeper level of self-acceptance and self-empowerment with a group of like-minded others in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.
Christian de la Huerta is author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed Coming Out Spiritually. Chosen by Publishers Weekly as one of the ten best religion books of 1999, the book was also nominated for a Lambda Award. Christian has written for OUT, The Advocate, Hero, Genre, and other publications. He is founder and president of Q-Spirit, a strategic organization catalyzing the necessary conditions for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people to reclaim their spiritual roles of service, leadership, and community enrichment in the world. Graduating with honors from Tulane University, he’s been a speaker, seminar leader, and retreat facilitator for fifteen years.