Ancient Wisdom, Awakening Soul, Offering Ourselves

Discover the Heart of the Christian Wisdom Tradition

"Fairacres", the original Contemplative Centre, 2000, Photo credit: Heather Page

The Contemplative Society is an inclusive non-profit society rooted in the Christian Wisdom lineage, welcoming seekers from all spiritual traditions. Our volunteer board and part-time contract support serve a global network of members and friends on a contemplative path.

Through resources, recordings, and events led by founding teacher Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault and other Wisdom voices, TCS supports the deepening of inner practice in daily life. Here you’ll find guidance, inspiration, and community: an open door into the stillness at the heart of all things.

Teaching

Through contemplative practices that engage body, mind, and spirit, we open space for prayerful attention, inner stillness, and grounded presence.

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Reflections

Nurturing the contemplative spirit in all who seek, our initiatives offer a supportive environment for spiritual growth and exploration in a changing world.

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Practices

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of contemplative practices, prayer, and wisdom teachings that embody the Christian Wisdom tradition.

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Featured Event

"The Sacred Feminine in a Fractured World"
An Online Retreat with Cynthia Overweg

Thursday 24 September 2026, 6:30-9:00pm PT

Online Zoom Event

Recent Reflections

Wandering through the Woods: Reflections on being a Contemplative

On Friday, I went for a walk in Mary Young Park, a lush oasis on the banks of the Willamette River in a suburb of Portland. Well-trodden paths meander through tall coastal redwoods and sitka spruce, big leaf maple and western red cedar, ponderosa pine and a small stand of old Oregon white oak. The river flows wide and deep at this time of the year...

Milla McLachlan

May 17 min read

The Great Easter Invitation

Here we stand in the midst of Holy Week. As we recollect the events that unfolded, we begin to sense that they are not only sacred stories, but living patterns that continue to reverberate within us and around us now. Holy Week begins with celebration. A road covered with palm branches. A king entering the city. On the surface, all appears well.

Heather Ruce

Mar 266 min read

Pip, lost and found

The reconciling force of an adventuring cat (a mostly true story) by Paula Pryce - photo by James Wheeler Pip went missing. Then in his own way, Jeremy did too. Jeremy was the young man who loved and fed her. He lost himself with the loss of Pip, but after a while, something unexpected happened. Jeremy learned that reconciliation only really comes when we give everything away. It began like this: Jeremy moved back home. He had long been a nomad, searching out holy places in t

Paula Pryce

Mar 25 min read

The Contemplative Store

Discover a living archive of wisdom: audio and video retreats tracing the contemplative path from 1997 to today.