Cross-Generational Conversations in Retreat Work: Wisdom Streams, Not Problems
Did you miss the Community Call? Watch here.
What happens when a retreat team spans five decades of lived experience—different technologies, cultural norms, economic realities, and leadership assumptions—and then tries to make decisions together?
That question sat at the heart of the first RCC roundtable conversation. The discussion was practical, personal, and honest. If you work in retreat spaces, you’ll recognize the tensions—and the hope—right away.
Why this topic matters in retreat work
Gloria Baraquile, Program Director at Ratna Ling Retreat Center shared why she proposed the call: early in her time at a retreat center, she often felt dismissed by older colleagues and watched good staff leave because they didn’t feel valued. Later, she noticed something humbling—while carrying pain toward older generations, she also carried judgments about younger ones: always on their phones, too sensitive, too overwhelmed.
That honesty opened the door to a powerful reframe, offered by Linda Copenhagen, Director of Ratna Ling:
“Generations are not problems to fix, but wisdom streams to learn from.”
What shapes a generation?
Rather than stereotypes, the presenters pointed to what truly forms generational “default settings”:
economic realities
cultural movements
technology norms
shared trauma and shared hope
The goal wasn’t to label people—it was to build compassion through context.
Where friction shows up
The conversation named familiar tensions in retreat teams:
pace vs. sustainability
hierarchy vs. collaboration
loyalty vs. boundaries
tradition vs. change
Breakout groups brought real stories: frustration over meetings running long, mismatched expectations about “collaboration,” and leadership bottlenecks for those caught between generations.
Practical bridge-building tools
The call closed with strategies retreat teams can use right away:
seek the story before judging the strategy
make roles and expectations explicit
create two-way mentorship
name fatigue, grief, and change
keep reconnecting tasks to mission
A closing question worth holding
The session ended with a simple challenge:
If we’re working for a world of peace and understanding, are we willing to include everyone?
Cross-generational work isn’t a barrier to the work of retreat . In many ways, it is the work.
