August 2025 Newsletter
- The Contemplative Society
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
“Do this work until you feel the delight of it.”
– The Cloud of Unknowing
In This Month’s Issue…
A reflection from Gillian Drader on Returning to What Was Never Lost.
Registration opens for TCS’s November 29, 2025 online retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault.
Enjoy a “Contemplative Summer 2025” e-store promotion.
Membership Season.
TCS’s In-person & Online retreat with Heather Ruce in October 2025.
Returning to What Was Never Lost: A reflection on uncovering the authentic self
by Gillian Drader
As I sit here looking through my living room window in the early morning, gathering my thoughts for the day, I’m watching the birds in my yard—just sitting there, being birds. And I’m reminded again of the importance of beingness, of living from the true identity, the true self we were created to embody.
In my own personal journey, and in my work as a therapist and spiritual companion, I often find that the heart of the matter is this: how we lose touch with our essence. Amidst the busyness of life, the conflicts of the world, family dynamics, and the pressure to be what others need us to be, we slowly drift from the voice we were meant to speak from. Layers of untruth begin to cover our soul’s voice and we find ourselves taking on identities that aren’t ours or are false reflections of our true essence. But sometimes, grace surprises us—with a glimmer, a nudge, a memory—and we remember.
Some of the most beautiful moments I’ve experienced, both personally and in the lives of those I walk with, are these sacred glimpses of reconnection. When someone remembers who they were before the forgetting. When they touch back into the original beauty of who they are. The journey of remembering, of returning, of restoring that essence and the gifts that it holds is not only healing—it’s holy. And it matters—not just for our individual lives, but for the world. I truly believe each of us carries a unique imprint, a frequency of presence that no one else can bring. And this, I believe, is where the true miracle lies; not just in remembering who we are, but in offering that self to the world.
When we show up in our fullness and true identity —with nothing to prove and nothing to hide—we become presence. Our lives begin to carry a kind of quiet integrity that ripples outward. We offer others permission to do the same. Because the true self isn’t self-centered—it’s deeply connected. It listens. It responds. It brings clarity, compassion, and creativity into every space it enters.
The world needs more people who are anchored in their true essence. People who bring soul into systems, gentleness into conflict, beauty into grief, and courage into everyday decisions. People who lead from wholeness—not perfection, but presence.
Our true self, when lived into, becomes a kind of medicine. A balm for a weary world. And that medicine is not just made—it arises from remembering who we were before we forgot.
Uncovering the authentic self isn’t about becoming something new—it’s about coming home. It’s about allowing the truest part of us, the part formed in love and mystery, to take up space in the world again. Not as a role or a label—but as a living presence.
So I wonder—like the birds who remind me daily of the simplicity of being—what would it be like to simply return to the truth of who you are? The birds don’t try to be lions or elephants. They just are. And their being is enough. I wonder where, in your own life, you may have lost your true self. And I wonder what might happen if you began to notice what helps you remember.
Practical Steps for Remembering Your True Self:
Quiet Reflection: Set aside a few moments each day to sit in silence. Allow yourself to simply be, without any roles or expectations. Notice what emerges
Nature Walks: Spend time in nature and observe the natural world. Let the simplicity of the birds, trees, and water remind you of your own inherent beingness.
Journaling: Write about moments in your life when you felt most alive and authentic. What were you doing? Who were you with? What can you learn from those memories?
Creative Expression: Engage in creative activities—painting, music, dance—that allow you to express yourself without judgment. Let this be a space where your soul can speak.
Gillian’s spiritual journey has been a rich tapestry of paths within the Christian Tradition. From an early age, she was drawn to the mystery and beauty of connection to the Divine. Her work as a therapist and spiritual director over the past 25 years has been a further weaving of her passion to see people live from a place of mental wholeness and spiritual depth. Gillian serves on the Board of Directors of The Contemplative Society.
E-MAIL GILLIAN AT: admin@contemplative.org
Enjoy a “Contemplative Summer 2025“
Use the following discount code: 69FQWHZD
and receive a 25% discount on all purchases
made in TCS’s e-store.
Discount valid until August 31, 2025.
The Contemplative Society Presents….
Contemplative Activism in Challenging Times. An online retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault.
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 10 am – 12 pm Pacific Time (PT).
This online live teaching time with Cynthia embraces the sacred calling to be “Contemplatives with grit!”
TCS Membership Season.
AGM 2025 is coming!
All individuals associated with The Contemplative Society (TCS) community are invited and welcomed to join the Society as an active member.A donation of any amount applied to membership welcomes you as an official member of The Contemplative Society for a 12-month period.Members are entitled to participate in and vote at the AGM of the Society, which this year 2025 will be held on Thursday, November 20. Members also receive early-bird registration access/pricing to in-person retreats.Do join us as an active member of the Society by making a membership donation through these special membership links:
The Contemplative Society Presents…
In-Person and Online at Sorrento Centre, British Columbia, Canada.
Sunday 05 October (5 pm) to Thursday 09 October 9th (12 noon) 2025 (Pacific Time).
TCS is a non-profit society and registered charitable organization in Canada run by a volunteer board and a dedicated circle of contemplatives. It was formed in Victoria, BC, Canada in 1997 to serve an emerging contemplative renewal, and to support and spread the teachings of Cynthia Bourgeault and other distinguished Wisdom teachers. We lovingly carry forward this work, adapting to the changing needs of the present and future, while anchoring ourselves in the ancient Wisdom tradition.
We would love for you to join us as a member and to help sustain and build our offerings with a donation of any amount.
Please visit our website to find out more about membership & support options.
PO Box 23031, Cook St. RPO
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada, V8V 4Z8
E-mail: admin@contemplative.org
Telephone: +1.250.381.9650
Copyright © 2025 – The Contemplative Society. All rights reserved.
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