Retreat | Spiritual Practices to Light the Way | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter | 03.30.2025

What does it mean to truly retreat as a spiritual practice that nourishes the soul? After months of pilgrimage and retreat in India and New Zealand, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter returns with deep reflections on silence, stillness, and the ways we can step back to gain perspective. In this sermon, he examines how retreat—be it a brief moment of stillness, a weekend getaway, or an extended sabbatical—provides clarity, renewal, and a stronger connection to ourselves, one another, and the divine. Incorporating insights from Unitarian Universalism, the poetry of mystics like Rumi, and spiritual traditions across cultures, he encourages us to embrace silence as a meaningful part of our daily lives. Listen and consider how retreat can serve as an act of resistance, a journey toward love, and a source of peace in a chaotic world. This sermon is part of our Spiritual Practices to Light the Way series – Supported by the strong foundation of our living Unitarian Universalist faith and our vibrant church community, we are each called to deepen our spiritual lives so that we can have a positive and meaningful impact on the world around us. In this series, we’ll explore the five spiritual practices that light the path forward as we work toward a more just and peaceful world.  💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do.   We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at https://dallasuu.org/   New sermon every week. Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/1stchurchyoutubesubscribe Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1stuchurch/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1stUChurch Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: https://dallasuu.org/live/ Œ