Production
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Spiritual Retreats
Producer: Stephen Janson Synopsis: Thousands of Spiritual Retreats are held each year in the United States and Canada, many so popular as to be booked months ahead, others known to relatively few. All address the yearning for Spiritual Renewal, for relief from the pressure of modern life, for a period of Prayer, Meditation, Self Examination or Learning in which to deal with the Anxieties, Addictions and Psychological Stresses of contemporary life. All offer restoration and a path to a more complete life. Locations of Spiritual Retreats vary from urban buildings of spartan simplicity used by day, to great and elegant old houses set in some of our most naturally beautiful environments,where the stay can be weeks or longer. They can be specific to a single religious tradition, or ecumenical in approach and content. Most emphasize Contemplation, Meditation, and frequently, periods of Silence. Their accessibility and cost vary widely. But all exist for the purpose of restoring and renewing the Soul, the Spirit, the Mind -- thereby helping heal and nurture the entire human entity. The Goal of a Retreat may be the good of the individual, of the couple, or of the family. Or it may encompass the humanity of a larger external world. A prime motivation for participation in a Retreat is the Loss of Faith, which often goes hand in hand with Depression and Grief, Addictions and Compulsions, Loneliness or Psychic Disharmony, Lack of Meaning in Life, often brought about by the pressures of today's frantic and consumer oriented lifestyle. The desire for relief from these negative experiences is deep and is shared by many among of us. The steps toward Psychic and Spiritual Healing, and toward more positive patterns of behavior and thought, can be achieved in a variety of ways. These include the Unities of Prayer, Fasting and Communion; exploration of Philosophical and Religious Writings, of The Humanities and The Arts; Physical Work in nature, in the city to Benefit Others, or simply periods lived in Solitude and Simplicity. The Centers we will visit in The Spiritual Retreat differ widely. In some, living is in a community of total sharing. Others offer comforts comparable to small exclusive colleges. Many are run on deeply religious guidelines. Living and learning arrangements are in accordance with the philosophy of the Retreat. The Goal of a Retreat may be the benefit and growth of the individual, of the couple, or of the family. Or it may encompass the humanity of a larger external world. There may or may not be structured programs.These programs range from physically undemanding and contemplative -- or encourage discipline of the body as well as the soul. Work as well as prayer, learning as well as self-examination, are often involved. Perhaps a majority of recognized Retreats are based upon Religious Precepts. Many are Catholic, but others are Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Ecumenical or Non-Sectarian. And in most Retreats, all comers, of all ages and backgrounds, are made welcome. The Spiritual Retreat will reveal the power of Spiritual Retreats as a path to peace and psychic health.Designed to inform as well as to entertain the viewer, our series will provoke an awareness of a world beyond the everyday. Our goal is to give the viewer a sense of involvement as we follow daily activities and share in spiritual exercises. Leaders, teachers and participants will discuss their hopes, feelings and impressions as we immerse ourselves in the experience of an important restorative adjunct to healthful personal life - The Spiritual Retreat. Pilot Episode: THE CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION Chautauqua, New York It was established in 1874, and soon gained renown as an educational institution whose purpose was to study the Word of God and to extend education, once the domain of the few, to the reach of many. But even more important for our purposes, the nine-week long summer program is also an opportunity for all kinds of spiritual exploration, growth and renewal. In an atmosphere of civility, participants in the Chautauqua programs are encouraged to enter debate on religions and philsophies, however controversial, with openness and goodwill. The relationships of beliefs with arts, science, politics and society can explored. Today, Chautauqua is a unique place where all kinds of spiritual journeys can be made -- into Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Native American Culture and more. Some of the foremost proponents and leaders of spiritual and philosophic movements are available for informal discussions in a relaxed and physically beautiful environment. Set on the edge of a magnificent lake suitable for swimming, fishing and boating, the village is an unspoiled example of Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century small-town America. According to President Daniel L. Bratton: Chautauqua is essentially a spiritual place...a place which reaches within us and connects that central part of our being, that something called soul and spirit, with life and creation around us. It is a place which helps us to transcend ourselves, to reach beyond the narrow definitions of who we are toward the greater forces of life and living...a place where the human spirit is fed and nurtured and connected with the divine. Through its many activities, music, arts, humanities, outdoor sports, Chautauqua offers refreshment and repose for the body and the soul. But for our purposes, Chautauqua exists as a Spiritual Retreat where the slow pace and idyllic nature of a sylvan community leave the hurly-burly of modern life far behind and encourage the mind to relax and the spirit to restore itself.
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