The Contemplative Society

The Contemplative Society is an inclusive non-profit association that encourages a deepening of contemplative prayer based in the Christian Wisdom tradition while also welcoming and being supportive of other meditation traditions.

We offer a consistent and balanced path for spiritual growth and transformation rooted in prayer, silence, mindful work, and in the 1500-year-old wisdom of our Benedictine contemplative heritage.

The Society supports the work of Cynthia Bourgeault in her role of Principal Teacher and Advisor for The Contemplative Society and her vocation as a hermit and writer. We do so by sponsoring retreats, wisdom schools, and workshops led by Cynthia and other distinguished teachers of the Christian contemplative path, and through the sales of instructional and inspiration materials, in both textual and audio format, supportive of the contemplative life.

The Contemplative Society actively nurtures local teachers of the contemplative way and maintains an office to communicate with members and to provide a regular and balanced schedule of retreat, teaching and workshop opportunities.

New CD Set Available:

Going Deeper Into the Mystery of Christ (5 CD Set) - live recording

In this teaching series Cynthia emphasizes the importance of renewing our understanding of the Cosmic Christ who is an icon of unitive coherence as witnessed in the Pauline texts of the Bible. She uncovers the theme of the awakening of non-dual perception in the scrolls of the Nag Hammadi, in 5th & 6th century Syriac texts and in the esoteric wisdom of the world’s religious traditions as well as in the contemporary Christian practice of Centering Prayer. Central to this perception is the kenotic path taught by Jesus. Kenotic, out-pouring love is at the heart of the Trinity and the Eucharist. Cynthia concludes with a discussion on practical ways we might live out this teaching.

Click on cover image to order.

New book by Cynthia to be released September 2010:

The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity

Click HERE to read what other respected spiritual writers and teachers are saying about Cynthia's new book forthcoming in September 2010.

A Solemn Liturgy of the Passion for Good Friday with a Biblical Passion Libretto

Cynthia Bourgeault, librettist; Cintra Pemberton, OSH, composer

A Solemn Liturgy of the Passion for Good Friday Several years ago Cynthia created a new "libretto" for the Passion, strictly based in the Biblical narratives but combining them in a different way so that the unitive message becomes more clear. Sister Cintra Pemberton of the Episcopal Order of Saint Helena added music at key points in this text (easily accessible to congregational musicians) to provide a unique resource that stays close to Jesus' own understanding of the Passion as a healing and sacramental passage voluntarily undertaken as an act of conscious love.

Click HERE for ordering information

Join a special e-Course on INTERSPIRITUAL WISDOM with:

Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault (Christianity)
Shaikh Kabir and Camille Helminski (Sufism)
Rabbi Rami Shapiro (Judaism)
Swami Atmarupananda (Hinduism)
Dr. Ed Bastian (Buddhism)
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat (Spirituality & Practice)

Beginning January 31, 2010, Spiritual Paths is partnering with "Spirituality and Practice" to present a six-week e-course on InterSpiritual Wisdom. Through daily emails, this retreat will help participants develop an understanding of and deepen their contemplative practice around six major themes:

• Forgiveness
• Self-Knowledge
• Self-Emptying
• Interdependence and Reciprocity
• Courage
• Love and Compassion

Teachers will take turns throughout each week presenting sacred texts, brief commentaries, and practice recommendations on these from the perspectives of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam/Sufism.

Participants will expand their knowledge of the shared wisdom of these traditions and deepen their personal practice. The learning experience will continue through a private online "Practice Circle" where participants can exchange insights and experiences with fellow students and teachers.

Click HERE for more information or to register.

Audio Interview with Cynthia Bourgeault

The Future of Christianity: A Provocative View - Audio Interview with Cynthia Bourgeault and David Riordan

Integral Life is exploring the Future of Christianity with a myriad of Progressive Christian teachers and philosophers including Ken Wilber, Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr and many more.

Please accept our invitation to download Cynthia’s interview for free as we examine her current work and its implications in the world, the stages of development of her personal spiritual path, her perspectives on healing the Christian church, and the contribution Christianity can make to our personal and cultural awareness. You won’t want to miss it!

Click HERE to download this engaging and enlightening audio interview.

New book by Harry Eerkes:

Conversations on a Journey: Encounters for Lent and Holy Week

In Conversations on a Journey the Rev’d Harry Eerkes has recorded some of his reflections on a selection of Lent and Holy Week lectionary readings in an easily accessible “poetic-prose” style.

In reading Part I of this creative work, you will meet some of the people who met and knew Jesus, see him through their eyes, and hear him through their ears.

Part II of the book provides questions for sharing and reflection and “Continuing the Conversations” personally or in a group setting.

Click HERE for more information, book reviews, and ordering details.

Harry will be providing a number of opportunities to hear him read and reflect on passages from his book. Click HERE for more details.

“The figure and teachings of Jesus are too often broken down, adapted, and then shaped to fit people’s own particular needs and desires. Who was the real, walking, talking, preaching Jesus and what lessons can we take from him today?”

Click HERE to read Cynthia's reply... (see http://goop.com/newsletter/62/en/ for full posting)