Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

How do we return from retreat? In this episode we get some much needed counsel and a little help from Aslan. Ruth gives very practical advice on how to return home after a retreat. Are you a blurter? Some warning about sharing your retreat experience.   Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to Retreat , Ruth Haley Barton Transforming Community Exploring Further: Music in Solitude Ruth Haley Barton...

Is it really possible? We begin by dealing with Steve’s resistance to the chapter title. Steve might or might not be having an existential crisis. Are you the responsible one? Maybe you can start with considering where you do have freedom. What are disordered and ordered attachments and how does it relate to spiritual freedom? Ruth concludes by sharing a beautiful poem she carries with her by Davi...

Often time on retreat there is sadness that takes one by surprise. Who do I want to be and how do I want to live so I can be who I want to be are important questions for recalibrating on retreat. What is the question Jesus wants to be with us on retreat? Jesus wants to interact with us about the questions we have. A full episode full of great invitations. You will want to create space to do the pr...

If you have gotten this far and are still wondering if a retreat is a necessary practice, we knock it out of the park with discussing Jesus’ pattern of retreat. Jesus utilizes retreat for discernment even though he knew everything. Ruth shares three categories of discernment that can be practiced on retreat. Settle the crazy down! Don’t miss the great discussion Ruth and Steve have about discernme...

We start with defining what is meant by false self patterns and where it fits into our spiritual journey. Ruth shares her perspective on the current popularity of the Enneagram right now. Just noticing is an important part of the journey of relinquishing. The good news is there are spiritual practices for each number on the enneagram and there are specific ways you can approach retreat based on yo...

Steve has control issues even if surrender is one of the major movements of the spiritual life. Retreat is a powerful tool to practice surrender. Could your absence from those you love while on retreat be a ministry? Ruth discusses the ministry of absence. Ruth also shares a personal story about her daughter, and how being away on retreat was an opportunity for God to care for those she loved. Men...

Fixed hour of prayer. It is as simple as praying at fixed hours of the day. It is about reorienting ourselves to God. Ruth shares the four prayer movements that are used in the Transforming Community experience at the Transforming Center. Whether this is new or you have written this practice off as too rote, you're invited to pray these prayers as if you really mean them. Mentioned in this podcast...

Human beings are made with rhythms and for rhythms. A beautiful conversation ensues about the beauty of rhythms, and how to find and recognize rhythms. In the Christian tradition tears are always a gift. Ruth provides a great encouragement to let the tears come. We end this episode with Ruth sharing a personal story of how the rhythm of retreat opened up space for God to speak to her. Go deeper wi...

Are you living out of external expectations instead of God’s calling on your life? Learn more about common sources of exhaustion. Could it be that our desire to serve is more about staying in control? Ruth names some of her own sources of exhaustion. Go deeper with this content and purchase Ruth's newest book, Invitation to Retreat:The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God. Mentioned in this po...

Too busy? When is the best time to go on retreat? Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens for episode 2, and don’t forget your pillow. A great discussion about how technology has caused many of us to feel we can never do enough to feel like we've done enough. Listen and discover how to let go and go on a retreat. Ruth final word in this episode is about guilt.  Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation...

Why did Ruth write another book? How does it relate to Invitation to Solitude and Silence ? We start with a delicious word – invitation. Ruth moves in to define our terms and discuss how retreat has been compromised in our culture. Ruth and Steve even discuss who should go on retreat. Lets reclaim the word retreat! Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to Retreat , Ruth Haley Barton Transforming C...

Why does Ruth end a book on silence and solitude with a chapter on for sake of others? Listen to find out. Ruth describes her own journey of moving out of silence and solitude and how it transformed her interaction with teenagers. A great discussion of words and why silence and solitude are important for both introverts and extroverts, along with a strong encouragement to not make this practice le...

Why does Elijah say the same things again? We expect Elijah’s experience of God’s presence to transform him, but there is a comforting interpretation of this passage. The good news: we don’t have to beg God for guidance. He is our shepherd and wants to guide. A great conversation ensues around how silence and solitude connects to receiving guidance. We conclude with a practice that leads us into g...

We begin this episode with a quick review of the story of Elijah. There is a payoff to waiting, and not running away.  God is becoming Elijah’s ultimate orienting reality. Entering a silence that is not empty but full of God’s presence. Good news, God is a much better parent than we ever could be. We introduce Ruth’s newest book and how it connects to silence and solitude. The practice in this epi...

We are in the chaos with Elijah. In solitude and silence we feel the battle between the false self and the true self. Some of the most important questions emerge from the chaos. Ruth and Steve discuss what facing ourself really means and how our true self is hidden with Christ in God. This is the narrow path. As always, we end with a practice to help you face yourself. 

It takes stamina to stay in silence and solitude. Why does God meet us in such vast emptiness? Ruth has a thought. There is great encouragement in Elijah’s journey and how long it took. Emptiness can be very lonely, yet you don’t have to go alone. It is good to have some human support and we discuss the ministry of presence. Our practice starts with acknowledging we have places of emptiness. Menti...

We have made it to the cave with Elijah and he is telling the whole truth. The good news is God can handle anything. Ruth shares about being in solitude and silence with gratitude and how restful and energizing it can be. What if we feel like God didn’t show up? Ruth has some advice. Faithfulness to these practices will bear fruit because the work is happening underneath. Mentioned in this podcast...

We are moving through this story slowly and it is good. At this point God asks Elijah a question. Allowing the mind rest into the heart is a helpful way to describe letting the mind rest without discounting the contribution of the mind. Ruth shares a personal example of resting and trusting God. We end this episode by resting with our questions in God’s presence.   Mentioned in this podcast: Invit...

What is not to like about the fact that God instructed Elijah to take not one but two naps? Why do we treat our body so poorly? Ruth and Steve discuss a powerful psalm to better understand the dynamic of silence and solitude. They also discuss how the daily examen can help us get in touch with our bodies. We are developing a rhythm of practice in this season; this episode will help you get in touc...

We pick up with the story of Elijah, and why it is important that he rested first. We talk about how to recognize being dangerously tired, with Ruth sharing some concrete examples. How does one surrender to exhaustion. We get into describing what sane rhythms look like, and we close by practicing again.  Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to Solitude and Silence , Ruth Haley Barton Transforming...

Our lives are not in danger like Elijahs, but we all have to face resistance. If you feel the push pull, then this is likely a signal God is at work.  How do we push through our fear? What if we are afraid God will not show up? It is good to know our own baggage. The best part is that God will meet you even if you have a lot of resistance. Ruth shares her experience with people who seem most resis...

Learning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – what is silence and what is solitude? Steve is already overachieving, Ruth encourages people to begin with a much smaller amount of time in silence and solitude Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to Soli...

In Season 5: Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Steve Wiens and Ruth Haley Barton will walk through Ruth's book by the same name. Join us for a rich conversation, and grab a copy of the book to take a deeper dive into solitude and silence. This season finds us walking with Elijah in the wilderness with a bounty on his head right after Mount Carmel and the best altar call ever. Ruth's book, Invita...

Before we kick off a new season next Wednesday, Ruth Haley Barton sat down with Aaron Niequist and discussed a variety of topics from their shared background to their journey to a practiced-based faith. In a time where there is much to be discouraged about about in the Church, this conversation will give you hope.  Note: The idea Ruth attributes to Richard Rohr regarding “being on the inside of th...