About
This retreat was recorded live online on December 12, 2020, hosted by The Contemplative Society. This purchase includes video recordings with a total running time of approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes, along with accompanying practice resources. In this online contemplative gathering, guest teacher David Frenette guided participants in entering Advent through stillness, prayer, and deep listening. Building on the Christian Wisdom tradition, the retreat explored Heart Intentions as a contemplative practice of aligning our inner orientation with divine love, while also offering practical methods for release and renewal such as the Welcoming Practice. Teachings were accompanied by shared prayer, chant, and reflection, weaving together a space of solidarity and quiet joy in preparation for the season of Christ’s birth. The retreat also featured contributions from members of The Contemplative Society, including reflections from Paula Pryce and Jennifer England, and support from the wider TCS leadership team. Special music for the day included The Prayer of the Heart, composed by John Tavener for Björk Guðmundsdóttir, offering a haunting and beautiful setting of the Jesus Prayer. As this is a LIVE recording, you may notice some audio variability and background noise. David Frenette is a spiritual teacher, psychotherapist, and author recognized for his work in extending the lineage of Centering Prayer through his teacher, Fr. Thomas Keating. He is the author of The Path of Centering Prayer and Centering Prayer Meditations, and teaches internationally on contemplative practice and the prayer of the heart.