The Restory Retreat Centre

  More Than Ourselves The Conversation Wendell Berry has been at the forefront of our thoughts these past few weeks. Today, we take one of his remarks - or observations - that surfaced in last week’s blog a little further. It is easy to live within the narrow confines of our own thoughts, needs, and plans, as if we were the centre of reality. Yet real life - and especially true growth - begins when we realize that we are not alone; that we do not learn on our own how to become better, wiser, and more fully human. To love is rarely a matter of romantic seclusion. Rather, it is the grueling, beautiful awakening to the reality of something - and someone - other than oneself. We are not shaped in a vacuum. The people with whom we live - with all their imperfections and the unexpected burdens they place upon us - often become our finest spiritual guides. Through them, we are slowly liberated from our self-absorption. This interconnectedness extends beyond our fellow human beings. It als...

  Meer As Onsself Die Gesprek Wendell Berry is die afgelope paar weke voorop in ons gedagtes. Vandag neem ons een van sy opmerkings of waarnemings wat in verlede week se blog opgeduik het bietjie verder. Ons leef maklik in die eng ruimte van ons eie gedagtes, behoeftes en planne, asof ons die middelpunt van die werklikheid is. Maar werklike lewe - en veral ware groei - begin wanneer ons besef dat ons nie alleen is nie; dat ons nie op ons eie leer hoe om beter, wyser en meer volledig mens te word nie. Om lief te hê is selde ’n romantiese afsondering. Dit is eerder die uitmergelende, pragtige ontwaking dat iets en iemand anders as jouself werklik is. Ons word nie in ’n vakuum gevorm nie. Die mense met wie ons leef - met al hul onvolmaakthede en die onverwagte laste wat hulle op ons lê - word dikwels ons beste geestelike gidse. Deur hulle word ons stadig losgemaak van ons selfbeheptheid. Hierdie verbondenheid strek verder as ons medemens. Dit omvat ook die aarde wat ons dra: daardie o...

  Staying Moved On The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music As always, with our love. George & Matilda

  Om Aanbeweeg Te Bly Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Soos altyd, met ons liefde. George & Matilda

  Control   The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music In our attempts to control everything, including God, and place it in predictable boxes and compartments, we lose far more than we gain. Our lives do not become as safe as we had hoped. It becomes sterile. A blessing originally written by Ruth Fox for students receiving degrees at Dickinson State University in America.  May God bless you with Discontent with easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live from deep within your heart. May God bless you with Anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace. May God bless you with Tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and to change their pain to joy. May God bless you with the Foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things wh...

Kontrole   Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek In ons pogings om alles, ook God, te beheer en in voorspelbare boksies en vakkies te plaas, verloor ons baie meer as wat ons wen. Ons lewens word nie veilig soos ons gehoop het nie. Dit raak steriel. ‘n Seën oorspronklik geskryf  deur Ruth Fox vir studente wat graad ontvang by Dickinson State University in Amerika.   Mag God jou seën met ‘n ontevredenheid met maklike antwoorde, halwe waarhede, en oppervlakkige verhoudings, sodat jy vanuit die diepte van jou hart sal leef; Mag God jou seën met ‘n onteltenis oor onreg, onderdrukking, mishandeling en die uitbuiting van mense, sodat jy sal werk vir regverdigheid, gelykheid en vrede; Mag God jou seën met trane wat gestort word vir hulle wat ly onder pyn, verwerping, hongersnood en oorlog, sodat jy jou hand sal uitsteek om hulle te bemoedig en om hulle pyn in vreugde te verander. Mag God jou seën met ‘n dwaasheid wat jou laat dink dat jy ‘n verskil in hierdie wêreld kan maa...

What The Mystics Know 1.1) Repeated Journey The Conversation Elements From The Conversation ~ ❖ ~ In the growth process there are so many aspects that we have to work through, things we have to let go of, insights we have to come to, resistance, surprises - the journey of a lifetime. The big breakthroughs come when we start to focus on the fine detail and texture. It is a process that involves the finest facets of our humanity. "Repentance" is the overarching description, but without the finer detail it does not lead to change and true insight into God's way of working. If we were to merely say "repentance", we would not be telling the half of it. Janet Rebhan describes it very well: In this season of growth, may you have a deep understanding of your true value and worth,  an absolute faith in your unlimited potential,  peace of mind in the midst of uncertainty,  the confidence to let go when you need to,  acceptance to replace your resistance,  gratitude to ope...

Wat Die Mistici Weet 1.1) Herhalende Reis Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek ~ ❖ ~ In die groeiproses is daar soveel fasette wat ons moet deurwerk, dinge wat ons moet aflê, insigte waartoe ons moet kom, weerstand, verrassings - die reis van 'n leeftyd. Die groot deurbrake kom wanneer ons op die fyn detail en tekstuur begin fokus. Dis 'n proses wat die fynste fasette van ons menswees betrek. "Bekering" is die oorkoepelende beskrywing, wat sonder die fyner detail nie tot verandering en ware insig in God se werkswyse lei nie. As ons net "bekering" sou sê, is die helfte ons nie vertel nie. Janet Rebhan beskryf dit baie goed. In this season of growth, may you have a deep understanding of your true value and worth,  an absolute faith in your unlimited potential,  peace of mind in the midst of uncertainty,  the confidence to let go when you need to,  acceptance to replace your resistance,  gratitude to open your heart,  the strength to meet your challenges,...