Taking time for silence in today’s fast-paced world can feel impossible. Yet, for many, stepping away from the noise is exactly what they need to reconnect with God. With the next Unplugged Silent Retreat for young adults coming up in May, I sat down with Marzi van der Mark to hear about her recent experience on a six-day silent retreat at En Hakkore Retreat Centre in Otago and why she believes young adults should consider joining the upcoming Unplugged retreat at Mamaku Grove.
I have done multiple silent retreats before, and I wanted to try one that was longer. This one was recommended to me, and after praying about it, God made it happen! I didn’t have a specific reason other than wanting to experience an extended silent retreat and see what it was like.
It was awesome! I really enjoyed it—in fact, I could have stayed longer. There was something special about being with people in silence. There was a sense of freedom that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. Of course, there were moments of boredom, but the rhythms of the retreat helped keep me present. It was a beautiful space to simply sit, be, and see. Once you settle into it, silence is actually incredibly freeing.
Each morning started with a liturgy that we went through together as a group, followed by free time. We had lunch together in silence, and then in the evenings, we gathered again for another group liturgy before dinner. Throughout the retreat, I also met with my spiritual director for 45 minutes each day, which was a really valuable part of the experience.
At the beginning, there was definitely boredom—I found myself wondering, What do I do with myself? Another challenge was dealing with my own thoughts, sitting in the silence without distractions. But as time passed, I adjusted, and the stillness became much easier.
I experienced God quietly. I found Him in rocks, in nature, in the simplicity of being present. My main question during the retreat was, God, how are you speaking to me? Having a spiritual director was incredibly helpful in guiding me through that. They helped me process what I was experiencing and made sure I stayed open to hearing from God in unexpected ways.
Just do it! Give it a go. The worst-case scenario is that you get a weekend of napping and catching up on rest. The best-case scenario? You meet with God and he speaks to you. Silent retreats are far more enjoyable than people expect—it’s like a spiritual adventure. If you’re curious about it, just give it a go and see what happens.
Unplugged is a three-day guided silent retreat for 18-40 year olds looking to step away from distractions and tune into what God is saying. It’s a chance to slow down, embrace stillness, and explore contemplative practices in a beautiful natural setting.
Over the weekend, you’ll experience times of prayer, solitude, and reflection, with the option of one-on-one spiritual direction to help guide your journey. There’s no phone, no social media, and very little talking—just space to be present with God.
If you’re curious about deeper spiritual rhythms, want to reconnect with your faith, or simply need rest in a world full of noise, this retreat is for you.
Spots are limited, so sign up now!
For full details and to register, visit: https://forms.gle/tyxLJJLJrxAiPaJ8A
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Taking time for silence in today’s fast-paced world can feel impossible. Yet, for many, stepping away from the noise is exactly what they need to reconnect with God. With the next Unplugged Silent Retreat for young adults coming up in May, I sat down with Marzi van der Mark to hear about her recent experience on a six-day silent retreat at En Hakkore Retreat Centre in Otago and why she believes young adults should consider joining the upcoming Unplugged retreat at Mamaku Grove.
I have done multiple silent retreats before, and I wanted to try one that was longer. This one was recommended to me, and after praying about it, God made it happen! I didn’t have a specific reason other than wanting to experience an extended silent retreat and see what it was like.
It was awesome! I really enjoyed it—in fact, I could have stayed longer. There was something special about being with people in silence. There was a sense of freedom that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. Of course, there were moments of boredom, but the rhythms of the retreat helped keep me present. It was a beautiful space to simply sit, be, and see. Once you settle into it, silence is actually incredibly freeing.
Each morning started with a liturgy that we went through together as a group, followed by free time. We had lunch together in silence, and then in the evenings, we gathered again for another group liturgy before dinner. Throughout the retreat, I also met with my spiritual director for 45 minutes each day, which was a really valuable part of the experience.
At the beginning, there was definitely boredom—I found myself wondering, What do I do with myself? Another challenge was dealing with my own thoughts, sitting in the silence without distractions. But as time passed, I adjusted, and the stillness became much easier.
I experienced God quietly. I found Him in rocks, in nature, in the simplicity of being present. My main question during the retreat was, God, how are you speaking to me? Having a spiritual director was incredibly helpful in guiding me through that. They helped me process what I was experiencing and made sure I stayed open to hearing from God in unexpected ways.
Just do it! Give it a go. The worst-case scenario is that you get a weekend of napping and catching up on rest. The best-case scenario? You meet with God and he speaks to you. Silent retreats are far more enjoyable than people expect—it’s like a spiritual adventure. If you’re curious about it, just give it a go and see what happens.
Unplugged is a three-day guided silent retreat for 18-40 year olds looking to step away from distractions and tune into what God is saying. It’s a chance to slow down, embrace stillness, and explore contemplative practices in a beautiful natural setting.
Over the weekend, you’ll experience times of prayer, solitude, and reflection, with the option of one-on-one spiritual direction to help guide your journey. There’s no phone, no social media, and very little talking—just space to be present with God.
If you’re curious about deeper spiritual rhythms, want to reconnect with your faith, or simply need rest in a world full of noise, this retreat is for you.
Spots are limited, so sign up now!
For full details and to register, visit: https://forms.gle/tyxLJJLJrxAiPaJ8A
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
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