Healing and resilience retreats: views from participants

Several participants in our Healing and Resilience Retreats have generously offered to share their experiences with the Lab audience. We pass those words along here as examples of the comfort and growth that can come from chaplains connecting and resting in space and time set aside for their healing:

This was my first trip to Connecticut as well  as Guest House Retreat Center. I had a nice drive, arriving a few hours late due to traffic. As I entered the Guest House campus, I felt a sense of peace, something fresh and new with a curiosity and expectation to gain something from this gathering over the weekend. The retreat center staff was quite friendly and made me feel comfortable. I loved the accommodation and the food served on site, with friendly and courteous kitchen staff. Coffee, tea and water were available around the clock. The retreat center was a perfect setting to dive in to my goals of learning and sharing during our time together.

Unlike the scheduling of meetings, we were told that this was a time to relax, refocus and to give time to caring and thinking about self more than anything else. This was time for refreshment from the daily routine. Attendance at scheduled activities was not mandatory, yet every chaplain showed up to listen and share. The rituals we explored were new and it was interesting to dig in to the practices of the six word story, sharing, listening, connecting, bonding, realizing and understanding each other in our diversity, affections, choices and priorities. All these opened a new avenue towards learning about and experiencing each other.

The facilitators, Ylisse Bess and Trace Haythorn, were very friendly and down to earth, giving every chaplain the freedom to express and share their experiences during the pandemic and otherwise. They made us all feel at home and free to interact with one another. Small group meetings made it easier to get to know each other and share individual experiences and challenges encountered at work. I learned much from every participant.

I loved the recitation and meditation of a rich and meaningful Hebrew prayer shared by one of our colleagues. The best part was the ritual on the last day, sharing what I learned, what I hope for, what I celebrate, what I wish to take home, and what I wish to leave behind. The exercise shared by Trace on dignity, connectedness and self sufficiency originating from my inheritance and culture was the highlight of the weekend for me.

I am deeply grateful to a kind and beautiful colleague from Baltimore who shared an uplifting song and performed the ritual of washing hands and obtaining a beautiful flower before the retreat ended. It was a memorable experience of rest and appreciation of the beauty of people, of nature, and of our heartwarming stay at Guest House.

I hope to see the opportunity for more retreats for as many chaplains as possible to attend. Thanks to the organizers and all the staff who made this possible.

Chaplain Atul Dhanawade has served COVID patients and resides in Delaware.