Even though this book was written 16 years ago, I’ve just recently been introduced to it. What a treasure! It is not only a great read, but I can see using this resource book as a model for both days of prayer and retreats.
Author Vennard is a master of teaching the way of contemplation, but her experience as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader helps to identify and define the inner movements and energy flow of a contemplative on retreat or even one that is interested in just personal time away. Vennard uses feedback from retreat participants to help make her points about everyday fears of contemplation, silence and the surrender that accompanies of this type of prayer.
Chapter 2 is especially useful for her definition of contemplation and the way she examines the Contemplative Jesus. It also describes the posture of entering silence and those attitudes that can keep one from fully experiencing the holy invitation of simply “being present.” This alone is worth the price of the book!
But that’s not all! It just keeps coming as Chapter 3 provides a design for shaping retreats and the better ways of inviting full participation into both the kataphatic and apophatic way of prayer.
The turning point for me was in Chapter 4 the way she invites discernment to the call of being a retreat leader and the gifts that it requires. She explores the need for attention to the details of leading retreats and the difficulty in being focused on The Holy as others are following your lead. Vennard is never bashful with words but gently provides a nice Examen before embracing the role of retreat leader.
You’ll find an amazing and fairly complete resource of themes, activities and spiritual practices and their process In Chapter 6. Her understanding of silence and how to talk honestly about roadblocks and challenges is very helpful. Along with those thoughts, she explores and provides a model for guided meditation, physical activity, Bible study, spiritual direction, prayer forms and “doing nothing.”
Her personal experiences and encounters of leading retreats are both delightful and descriptive of the call. I would certainly recommend Be Still as it is beneficial in all aspects of planning and facilitating contemplative practices for a group of any size. There are more pearls of wisdom found in this book that can be explored in any commentary or review.
Becky Oates is a seasoned spiritual director who lives with her husband in the country outside of College Station, Texas. She is currently the Program Coordinator for Charis, the 3-year United Methodist spiritual director training program for the Texas Annual Conference.