Retreat to Advance: The Importance of Pausing  

(Part 1 of 2)

Photo credit: Rachel A. Wilkinson

As social justice warriors battling on many fronts, we sometimes forget the importance of pausing to reflect, refocus, and recharge. Indeed, it may seem unwise in the midst of a great challenge to spend time on anything else. But regular reflection is a vital component of progress. In other words, in order to be present in our fight against injustice, we must at times get away from it.  

Yes, I’m talking about taking a retreat.  

And yes, I know that some of us chafe at the notion. 

For the retreat-averse, the very word “retreat” evokes quitting. But one of our most courageous social-justice seekers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., embraced the retreat as a necessary component of his activism. And he did so right in the most challenging times in the Civil Rights Movement. Between 1964 and 1967, Dr. King participated in several  retreats at the Penn Center in South Carolina and in Black Mountain, North Carolina — peaceful spots rich in Gullah-Geechee heritage and natural beauty. 

Dr. King’s model should inspire us in our own practice. So, how do we do that? 

There are three necessary elements for a meaningful retreat: a place apart, a time apart, and a clear goal. To engage in a successful retreat, the location needs to be different and provide opportunities for interactions and reflection. Ideally, the space should include a natural environment, like Dr. King’s beloved Penn Center. Real time is also required. 

This is not the same as a lot of time. 

By real time, I mean the participant should be allowed a reprieve from the regular requirements of the day (i.e. no emails or phone calls). As well, it’s important to understand the goal of the retreat. The goal does not need to be ambitious; it just needs to be clear. Figuring out the goal and how to incorporate it into different activities during the retreat requires time and attention. Your cause deserves this pause.

Sources:

“South Carolina: Penn Center,” National Park Service, 24 February 2023, https://www.nps.gov/places/south-carolina-penn-center.htm.

Smith, Anne Chesky, “WNC History: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Trips to Black Mountain, Montreat,” Citizen Times, 14 August 2022, https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2022/08/14/wnc-history-martin-luther-king-jr-trips-black-mountain-montreat/10281114002/.