In His Zone: 7 Principles for Thriving in Solitude

As disciples of Jesus our hearts are meant to burn with love unceasingly. Solitude is a wonderful place to learn how to kindle this fire into flame. It can then become a constant source of delight within us. This warmth is unique and does not compare with any other stirrings the heart can experience. The Holy Fire that comes from the Spirit is distinctive. When it comes we perceive that it comes from an inexhaustible source. We go to solitude to be still so that the Holy Spirit will come to us and make His home in us. We go to solitude to learn to enjoy the delight of this Holy Fire; to be in His Zone. So, Father Mark decided to camp on a raft for eight days as he wanted to see if these seven principles for thriving in solitude were as effective as he thought them to be.

Fr. Mark Goring is a member of the Companions of the Cross, a new order of priests based in Ottawa, Ontario. He joined the Companions of the Cross when he was 18 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002, at age 26. He and his three brothers spent the days of their youth enjoying many outdoor activities including: snowboarding, dirt biking & fishing. Fr. Mark grew up in the town of Pembroke, in the Ottawa Valley. He now serves as Director of the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston.