Discovering the Abbey

On my sabbatical in 2003, I started a study that I called In Search of Sages.  This has involved interviewing more than 40 people, often authors of leadership books and executive coaches at the national level, about how best to prepare people to be the kinds of leaders needed in today’s work environment. 

One theme that emerged was to find ways to discover the inner self and power of reflection.  Several sages recommended making personal retreats part of leadership development.  When I probed more about this, they suggested silent retreats usually held at monasteries.  I put this idea in my back pocket not knowing what or when I would do something with this idea.

Then I was sitting at my sons’ soccer games and one mother of the Catholic faith mentioned that her husband was currently at a retreat.  I immediately turned around and said, “I want to go on a silent retreat.”  As she proceeded to describe the situation, I said, “I don’t want to sound snobby, but I really want to go to a retreat at a monastery.”  At that point, another soccer mom turned to me and said that she was from Dubuque, Iowa and there is an old Abbey where I could accomplish my goal. 

That night I googled the Abbey and set up a time for me go on this silent retreat.  The experience changed my life and I will be sharing some of the insights I have gained from the New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa.