One of my most favourite things is writing and leading retreats. I love to create a whole experience that unfolds over the day or weekend or week; a journey that involves lots of silence and draws people into their silence through alluring and off-beat invitations. It takes a lot to get people to book into a retreat and often it’s the title or theme that clinches the deal.

Living Room: A Walk Through The House Of My Life is a retreat I’ve led many times now. During the retreat participants are given the makings of a folding cardboard house; this house is blank to start with and as the insights of the retreat unfold the walls, roof space and floors of the house are collaged using visio divina (Holy Seeing) and the end result is a profoundly moving awareness of oneself as the dwelling of God.  No-one realises at the beginning that this is where they are headed – it’s not a secret, it’s just that the “aha” can only happen after some of the other “rooms” and explorations have taken place.

Essentially this is spirituality as the “art of homecoming” (thanks, John O’Donohue!). Winnie the Pooh has been a marvellous guide to this homecoming journey to my retreatants. One of the Lectio readings used is from The House at Pooh Corner in which Owl’s house is blown down in a storm, Eeyore finds him a new one which (awkwardly) turns out to be Piglet’s and Piglet is left homeless…for the few seconds it takes for Pooh to say, “You’ll come and live with me, won’t you Piglet?”

Pooh is a Christ-figure. Piglet finds his true home in Pooh’s house. Pooh brings out the best in Piglet and in such disarming ways! Without hesitation, Pooh offers all that he has and is to his fearful and small companion. Piglet’s generosity in letting his house go without a word (I think the Desert Fathers and Mothers would commend his discretion) is met with a richer generosity which means he no longer lives alone. Owl’s loss is provided for, Eeyore is allowed to be a hero and the whole woodland community is content.