Silence, Simplicity, and Solitude: A Guide for Spiritual Retreat

This book provides great information about the nature and history of retreat. It also gives a very clear picture of types of retreats and the practices that can be used to heighten the retreat experience. It's an easy read with great information, very inspiring. Glad to have purchased it! Sonya, A Spirit of Serenity, Women's Enrichment Resources

All about retreats - in different religions, in different practices, in different cultures. Shows the similiarity of all religions. Quite an informative book. Points out the need to develop spirituality in ourselves, so lacking in our times, or at least in America today. There was one instance written about which I cannot forget. A famous psychiatrist went to a New York state (I think) Buddhist retreat house, for six weeeks, where he could not speak, look up from the floor, where there were no radios, television, newspapers, magazines, reading material of any kind, nothing to distract him from his inner self. And he said that he learned more there about the workings of the human mind, than he had ever learned in all the years of his practice. And returned a few times more, as did his wife.

Silence, Simplicity, and Solitude: A Guide for Spiritual Retreat offers a balanced and practical perspective for those seeking refuge and renewal. The author, David A. Cooper, first discusses traditions associated with such retreats for the world's main religions. That perspective is then applied to the practical aspects of conducting a retreat. Mr. Cooper is not advocating strident adherence to tradition, instead suggesting "The individual retreatant must decide which of his or her particular needs are important." Throughout this section, he draws from the wisdom and practices of the various religions, weaving common threads and ideas.A third main section of the book addresses various spiritual practices and notes how these might fit within the scope of a retreat. Again, drawing from the text, Mr. Cooper asks "how is it that each of us has an affinity with some practices and not others?" He addresses that question by providing overviews and observations of 13 spiritual practices. Mr. Cooper also emphasizes the practical by providing a number of sample schedules tailored for various types of retreats and a recommended reading list. His steadfast focus on the inner and outer aspects of staging a retreat addresses the needs of both the spirit seeking solace or enlightenment and the mind arranging the details and schedules.

"Silence, Simplicity, and Solitude: A Guide for Spiritual Retreat" offers a balanced and practical perspective for those seeking refuge and renewal. The author, David A. Cooper, first discusses traditions associated with such retreats for the world's main religions. That perspective is then applied to the practical aspects of conducting a retreat. Mr. Cooper is not advocating strident adherence to tradition, instead suggesting "The individual retreatant must decide which of his or her particular needs are important." Throughout this section, he draws from the wisdom and practices of the various religions, weaving common threads and ideas.A third main section of the book addresses various spiritual practices and notes how these might fit within the scope of a retreat. Again, drawing from the text, Mr. Cooper asks "how is it that each of us has an affinity with some practices and not others?" He addresses that question by providing overviews and observations of 13 spiritual practices. Mr. Cooper also emphasizes the practical by providing a number of sample schedules tailored for various types of retreats and a recommended reading list. His steadfast focus on the inner and outer aspects of staging a retreat addresses the needs of both the spirit seeking solace or enlightenment and the mind arranging the details and schedules.

Brilliantly written, consice and as spiritual as any holy book around. The best compliment that I can give to Mr. Cooper's writing(s) is that when I read them I feel calm inside. His "Heart of Stillness" and this book both seem to have been written from the heart and resonate among other things a deep sense of honesty and simplicity. Read both these books... they return the time you invest in them in ways that can only be experienced and not be expressed using words.