About
This retreat was recorded over a series of gatherings between 1999 and 2003, edited, and released in 2023. It is the second of a three-part series. This purchase includes both the MP3 audio recording (approximately 8 hours and 53 minutes) and the complete 119-page PDF transcript. In Part Two, Cynthia Bourgeault continues her exploration of Kabir Helminski’s Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self, focusing on the later chapters of the text. Through dialogue with a dedicated group of fellow contemplatives, she deepens the inquiry into what Presence truly means and how it can be embodied on the Christian contemplative path. Their exchanges open new perspectives, and the result is a teaching that combines Cynthia’s insights with the collective energy of serious seekers working together over several years. Drawing also on practical exercises from Lynn C. Bauman’s Living the Presence: A Manual for Contemplative Christian Practice, Cynthia guides listeners into direct experience of Presence as a lived reality. She reflects on the transformation that occurs as the heart becomes purified and unified, describing what she calls the “Jesus skill”: the capacity to transmit love into the world through a heart wholly aligned with Divine consciousness. The teachings are both practical and visionary, offering a roadmap for deepening in Christ through the practice of Presence. Cynthia Bourgeault is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, and internationally known retreat leader. She is the author of numerous books, including The Wisdom Jesus and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, and is recognized for her pioneering work in integrating the Christian contemplative path with other global streams of wisdom.