Last weekend I spent my time on a retreat in an Anglican Franciscan friary in Alnmouth in Northumberland. I have been on retreats before so I thought I knew what to expect and before I went perhaps I thought that it wasn't really going to make much difference to my faith journey. I was quite wrong!
Being in such a beautiful, relaxing, tranquil, serene, and peaceful place made the experience of the weekend seem ever that much more in God's presence. Coupled with the avoidance of disruptions and frustrations of the world outside, it was a match literally made in heaven. I recommend Alnmouth to anyone for any age, walk of life, whether you believe in a faith or believe in none. It is a wonderful place, enriching in a simple yet uniquely profound way.
What I loved most about the interaction with the friars was their grounded way of life, how down to earth they were, and what a sense of humour they all possessed. They weren't the staunch brothers I'd perhaps expected to be confronted with, but simple, loving humans following their passion in life, just like any other lawyers step up to the bar, or surgeons step up to the operating table, so too were these friars stepping up to God. It was wonderfully refreshing to witness.
Whenever I spend time on a retreat, I always end up contemplating the beauty and wonderful gifts of life. It really does humble you to be able to spend time with such pensive people, ordained or not, who are willing to be tolerant of one another's beliefs in such a humanising way. What is utterly amazing is how easily one can see the person of God in others so much more obviously when one is in a state of contemplation.
Spending time on this particular retreat has changed me slightly, for the better. It has made me realise the insignificant and superficial hold our daily human lives often have over us. It made me realise that we should appreciate the daily beauties of life in every encounter we have. This is difficult of course when one is confronted with conflict or arguments or just the basic frustrations of being late for work, or not meeting your own expectations in an assessment, and in a myriad of other ways too. Life is not easy, but I think it is made easier by a belief in one's self, one's growth, and one's relation to other people in common humanity.
What I think we must remember is that our experiences are what ground us, they are what causes us to grow emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally...We are not a product of society, rather we are a product of our innate experience, which is to be valued in both good times and bad. Indeed, it is often the worse experiences which can often be more profound and cause us to grow and learn in a way we can appreciate much more often than when life is all smooth sailing.
Another thing I appreciate about being able to spend time on this retreat is how my outlook has changed simply because I have taken a break. Being able to unwind, and contemplate, maybe even escape for even a little while puts everything into minute perspective of greater clarity and allows you to truly feel your human worth in an unforgiving and dehumanising world.
I would like to thank all those who contributed to my weekend, in even the smallest way. Those who invited me to attend, those who wished me well, those whose views enriched my faith experience and those who even though perhaps they do not have a Christian faith were respectful and utterly inspirational to my mind.
Picture source: my own
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