Quietening the Soul (2 - 9 Dec 2007)

Reflections by Elizabeth da Roza

On the 2nd of Dec at 4 am, I arrived at the Singapore Budget terminal to begin a journey of a forgotten and seemingly distant place. This journey was about spending some quiet time with the LORD. An intimate and uninterrupted time, away from the constraints of daily living.

With apprehension, I boarded my flight to Chiang Mai, for a 5 days directed silent retreat organised by the Cenacle Sisters at the Seven Fountains Spiritual Centre.

(Later, I’d discovered that this was the Cenacle Sisters’ annually organised retreat for laypersons and they have been collaborating with the Jesuits Priest in Chiang Mai over the last 3 years).  This was my first time attending a retreat of such nature, let alone a 5 days silent retreat and I did not know what to expect.  

Needless to say, some of the retreatants shared my apprehensions (as this was their first time too).  We all had some concerns and one of the major concerns we had was that we might just get bored. Some of us even brought some books along to read and MP3 players and even flirted with the idea of bringing our laptops. But over the course of the retreat, these items remained untouched and slowly, a flame is lit within each one of us.   

We arrived at the Seven Fountains Spiritual Centre at various intervals and were all met at the airport. When we arrived, we were given an orientation of the place and made a brief introduction to each other.  Just after lunch, we all went for a walk to a nearby reservoir and a waterfall. These became for some refuges and walks that they would take with the LORD in solitude.  Of course, when some of us realised that we could take these walks – our apprehensions melted away and our minds and hearts slowly begin to open up – to let go and to receive.  

“…And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too” Mark 2 v22 – 23.

Just after dinner at 7pm, 2nd Dec, we all gathered together in the room. There we made brief introductions to each other and shared with each other our reasons for being at the retreat.  Many of us came because we were discerning, seeking life directions, to rest, some because it was their annual retreat, some without actually knowing why they are here, some came because they simply wanted to. We all had various reasons and needs as we were all at different and various stages of our lives.  

“I walked into the retreat centre tired out my works. Too much for me to handle.

Prayers neglected. Masses skipped. Scriptures and books of faith collecting dust.

I needed tuning … “ Laurence Koh 

However, there was something that was uniquely compelling about our reasons – we just want to experience and be with the LORD. We all wanted to be in His warm embrace and have an intimate relationship with the LORD. We wanted to know Him more.   

Without being consciously aware, a certain rhythm was developed within the retreat. We each began to develop close affliction to various landscapes within and outside the compound. There was also a loose structure that we had to follow – meal times and the 1-hour session with our Spiritual director.  These sessions were fundamental and became for some of us an hour of cacophony of thoughts accumulated during the day.   

“…Of course, my spiritual director seems to be able to pinpoint on the areas of my concerns…” Florence Jeremiah 

Each day, we were given passages from the Bible to reflect and meditate. To listen intently to the voice within us and feel its' prompting. These passages became for many of us – the fruit of life and words of love (as shared later).  

“ The word became flesh …” Jn 1 v 14 

Admittedly, some of us did have some difficulty remaining focus or even silent.  

“…through prayers and deliberate seeking the Lord's peace I was able

to stay in His presence throughout the retreat…” Martha Teo 

After 5 days, we all had to leave this intimate place, just as the disciples had to leave the ‘upper room’. We ended our retreat at the wake of the day with a greeting to a new day and new light shining deep within us.  To say that this is the end is wrong because this is only the beginning … “for every ending is a new beginning…” author unknown.  

“ I felt relieved that I was able to have a closure and it helps me to forget the PAST and concentrate on the future … and me the Prodigal daughter has returned…” Florence Jeremiah 

Many of us have been touched by an experience so deep and profound. That has stirred something deep within – an experience of love, an enfolding embrace that comforts and heals.  

“I just want to say that the retreat is my first time and won't be the last.... would like to make it a regular feature of the rest of my life!! “ Sow Yoke 

“ …I left the Seven Fountains gate with this words in mind… "I am called to be faithful and not to be successful; to progress and not perfection." Laurence Koh.  

And as I recall a moment as the plane landed into Singapore, one of the retreatants commented, “We are here again” … and as I pondered on the comment, I looked out of the aeroplane window and said, “ Yes, we are here again but changed…”