[johniegrad]

Got and read The Exercises but not the guide although I did know of its existence. I have a difficult time seeing how to do this without some guidance. Was this your approach or have you attended a retreat? If you used the guide I'd be quite interested in your experience with that.

[Saint Athanasius]

Also if you look on EWTN... on their audio library...

they have Ignatius Retreat that you can actually do at your home as well.

[nickcarraway]

I haven't got the guide yet, but I definitely intend to. I did go on a retreat with Fr. Fessio. Now, it was done using Ignatian rules, but it wasn't a full Ignatian retreat of 40 days, just a weekend long one. Fr. Fessio recommended the book and recommended a more serious retreat.

I have a difficult time seeing how to do this without some guidance.

I agree. Especially since it requires silence and requires separating yourself from your everyday life. I think it would be much simpler to go to a retreat site. But I intend to get that book and use to the extent I can. What area are you looking for? There is a place in Northern California, but I can't remember the name at ther moment. Some orders besides Jesuits offer Ignatian retreats. The Orde of the Incarnate Word offer them monthly I believe. Check it out here, or at http://www.ive.org/. (you have to click on the U.S. section for Elnglish.