This Advent we share with you a verdant reflection by Paula Pryce, who writes from the Yasodhara Ashram on the shores of Kootenay Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Paula takes us on a journey to an apple orchard nestled deep in the mossy rainforest. She considers stars and caves, apple seeds and birthing, trees and song, and she invites us to listen deeply and to attend to the advent of spirit and fullness of being amidst the darkness of this time… Star at the

This post is shared by Brian Mitchell as a follow up to our recent release of “Practicing Living Presence: Discovering the Mind of Christ Within – Part One” a teaching by Cynthia Bourgeault. Brian is one of the intrepid team of volunteer Editors (together with Peggy Zimmerman, Diane Walker, Harrison Russin and others) who have worked diligently to transform the raw audio of this teaching into a format we can all listen to and learn from. We are grateful to Brian and the editi

Hello Contemplatives! We’re very excited to announce the publication of our latest recording: Practicing the Living Presence: Discovering the Mind of Christ Within (Part One), by Cynthia Bourgeault   In this teaching, Cynthia is accompanied by a group Christian contemplatives in Victoria BC over a 4 year period from 1999 – 2003 and 30 sessions, as they worked their way through Kabir Helminski’s practical, ground-truthed Sufi text “Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness &

Hello contemplative friends! In our part of the world, we’ve bid farewell to summer heat, and now feel the cool of fall settling on the west coast. The familiar turning of the seasons again reminds us of the never-ending rhythms of Sacred Presence. With the turn comes the shift of creative energy that is so needed to plan and implement the pieces that will see us through the winter months. Now is a good time to update you on the new movements here at The Contemplative Society

In late June Cynthia started an important series of posts with a message to students, sharing her ideas and suggestions for “a worthy project for our Wisdom circle to take on.”  Cynthia also presented a riveting keynote address at the American Teilhard Association (ATA) annual meeting. Find links for both below. THE ‘COMMON GOOD’ BLOG SERIES BY CYNTHIA BOURGEAULT Cynthia provides an orienting emphasis toward the evolving terrain of the ‘Common Good’ and the rebirth of moral l

Yukon Yurt This post is shared by Jennifer England as a follow-up to our Wisdom Solstice event offered on Zoom on June 21st.    In describing her experience and the backstory, including what was occurring ‘behind-the-scenes’ as the event was about to begin, Jennifer provides a real-life example of applying our Wisdom practice to tap into a calm centering presence even while suddenly facing an unexpected set of circumstances.  TCS is very grateful to Jennifer and the whole tea

Photo by S Migaj  from Pexels After a short hiatus in her series of reflections, Cynthia Bourgeault continues with a new post drawing upon Jean Gebser’s Ever Present Origin and his perspectives on Integral consciousness.     Go Beyond the Mind, LESSON 13 When I say that the ability to access and sustain the Integral structure of consciousness is developmental, I mean just that: it is fundamentally a question of physiology, rather than of moral virtue or mystical yearning. We

“I am so grateful for this labor of love by The Contemplative Society, which once again makes accessible Raimon Panikkar’s extraordinary teaching on the universal mysticism of Jesus Christ.”  ~ Cynthia Bourgeault   In addition to Cynthia’s encouraging words above, we also want to share Brian Mitchell’s wholehearted endorsement for our updated audio release of CHRISTOPHANY: Experiencing the Fullness of Christianity , a recorded teaching by Cynthia based on the 2004 book by Ra

The following is part 2 of a Holy Week reflection provided by Paula Pryce from Vancouver, Canada. Please make sure to reach the first part Absence: Forest of Longing on our blog .  I throw open the gate to rushing wind and creaking branches.  Not knowing what lies ahead, I step into the forest with my companions, fear, awe, and more hesitantly, joy.    Like many, perhaps even like Mary Magdalene, I have found myself increasingly worn by heavy times.  A veil of uneasiness and

The following is part 1 of a 2-part Holy Week reflection provided by Paula Pryce from Vancouver, Canada.   Absence mills around the body like a guard dog pacing the fence line.  Rigidly keeping off the night creatures, jealously defending its property.  I am within a picketed sphere of isolation.  Longing, despair, confusion at the memory of the banquet torn to pieces, guests fleeing, music stopped.  Not long ago the home was filled with shining lamps and food for all – now

What’s new with our Principal Teacher Cynthia Bourgeault? Recently we’ve heard from a number of you wondering  what Cynthia is up to   while in-person events and retreats are widely curtailed.   Well, unless you happen to spot her on the high seas, here are some opportunities to tune into Cynthia’s activities and catch some of her upcoming  appearances: CONVERSATIONS & BLOGS   New ICN Podcast:   From a Cosmic Nudge to an Integral Christianity – A Conversation with Cynthia Bou

Photo by Andy Vu  from Pex els In this potent and engaging conversation, Cynthia Bourgeault is hosted by Paul Smith (author of Integral Christianity ) and Luke Healy of the Integral Christian Network . Together they offer deep insights and personal experiences to illuminate the emerging scope and potential for Christianity. The dialogue is infused by their shared appreciation and revelations inspired by Jean Gebser’s seminal work Ever Present Origin .  As the conversation unf

If you’re considering the multiple online course opportunities with Cynthia that are coming up, she provides this message to the Wisdom community and offers some additional input for consideration. It occurred to me that people may want a little guidance as to how to pick and choose among the sudden embarrassment of riches of Cynthia Bourgeault online course options currently opening up for registration. Here’s a bit more information to help you make your selection(s).  Spiri

Dear contemplative friends, Rumi’s words are a reminder that in 2020 we’ve felt deep wounds in the body of the world. Just like we await the birth of the Christ light in this shadow time of year, the world is aching for healing Light amid its myriad wounds. The Light is manifested as radical hope in each of us and shines as divine love in all our global body. Cynthia Bourgeault reminds us:   “Hope’s home is at the innermost point in us, and in all things. It is a quality of a

Writing just after the November 2020 US election, Cynthia Bourgeault shares this:  “Well, the oasis of grace miraculously opened, and now it’s time to roll up our collective sleeves and get on with the healing work! I know that my own first assignment has something to do with helping to expose— and hopefully defuse— some of the reactivity and sanctimoniousness that boils just below the surface in my immediate peer group, the spiritual liberal intelligentsia.”   What unfolds i

Dear Friends and Members of the The Contemplative Society, Mercy . An old-fashioned word that conjures up so many contrasting images. Mercy is “a bond,” writes Cynthia Bourgeault in Mystical Hope , “an infallible link of love that holds the created and uncreated realms together.”  Far from condescension or political power, the origin of the word mercy points instead to a flow of connectedness, reciprocity, and exchange.       Mercy is the great weaver that binds us together.

The following reflection has been provided by Linda Coggin from Victoria BC.  Linda was one of 100 people who participated in the recent virtual event with Matthew Wright, where he offered his heartful and profound insights, teaching, and practices on the theme of “Julian of Norwich…A Voice for Our Times.” You cna now purchase a recording of this retreat in our store! Thank you so much Linda, for sharing your experience here! Julian of Norwich (window in Norwich Cathedral) f

The following reflection has been provided by Martha Keller from Victoria BC.  Martha was one of 100 people who participated in the recent virtual event with Matthew Wright, where he offered his heartful and profound insights, teaching, and practices on the theme of “Julian of Norwich…A Voice for Our Times," now available in our store! Thank you so much Martha, for sharing your experience, and Matthew for guiding the event so beautifully!   In August, with a global pandemic i

In 2001 Cynthia Bourgeault published a grace-filled guide for facing difficult times, offering insights and pointers in the small and powerful book entitled MYSTICAL HOPE: Trusting in the Mercy of God .  Many in Cynthia’s community and beyond are turning (or re-turning) to this book to navigate current concerns and challenges, and finding it a source of deep spiritual sustenance.  Over the coming months, Northeast Wisdom will be providing reflections and chapter summaries of

In the following podcasts and interviews Cynthia Bourgeault illuminates the Imaginal and some key insights offered in her groundbreaking new book EYE OF THE HEART: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm :   ENCOUNTERING SILENCE: Silence and the Imaginal Realm (Audio: October 2020) In this two-part interview, Cynthia Bourgeault speaks with Encountering Silence hosts on her practice of silence, and thoughts on navigating through the particular challenges of our current tim