February 2026 Newsletter
- The Contemplative Society
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
~ Ephesians 5:14
In This Month's Issue...
Reflect with Victor Acquista on Love Holds Us.
Deepen this month with A look at Thomas Keating and Full Contemplative Engagement, an online retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault, to be held on February 28, 2026.
Refresh in Centering Prayer, through viewing TCS's new video on How to Practice CENTERING PRAYER.
Be Stillness in Motion, through a 1-day, in-person, contemplative and energy-healing practices retreat with Kimiko Karpoff and Leslie Sandra Black, to be held on April 18, 2026 in Victoria, B.C., Canada.
Envision TCS's evolving future through viewing our engaging video, An Emerging Vision, as presented at TCS's AGM 2025, and then share with us your personal discernment on TCS.
Love Holds Us.
By Victor Acquista
She’s 7.5 lbs, about a year old according to our veterinarian’s office that scanned the stray dog after she came into our lives earlier this week. No chip, no collar, unclaimed days later. My wife named her Mia. Cradled in my arms and lap, I note her slow breath and feel the comforting beat of her heart. We are connected in this moment of stillness.
I project my thoughts in imagining what she thinks and feels—here and now I am safe and all my needs are met. Here and now, I am at peace. Here and now, in this moment, I am loved.
I imagine this is how I felt, embraced with love against my mother’s breast as an infant. This is being held. In these moments of shared presence, we rest in stillness together with another who is fully present in connection and communion. Immersed in and surrounded by love-–this is being held.
Saturday 28 February 2026
10 am – 12 pm Pacific Time (PT).
This online live seminar recaps Cynthia Bourgeault’s recent work on the evolution of Thomas Keating as a modern-day mystic, and explores how his prophetic last words challenge us as contemplatives to step outside our comfort zones into full engagement with the world.
Cynthia will explore the implications of Keating’s directive to meet the world guided by the truth of silence and science, and filled with creativity and compassion. She will consider the invitation to step outside of religious and political boundaries; and what it might mean that we choose to leave ourselves open to the “inspiration from the heart of God.”
This seminar will build on the evolution of Thomas Keating’s thought, and take a further step into the application of his “last words” to the world in which we live. Cynthia will address the necessary and painful kinds of maturation which the contemplative community needs to undergo in order to hold a collective Wisdom presence for the fracturing world in which we live.
We invite you to participate in this live seminar teaching time as joined together with others in your contemplative community. TCS will be providing a series of reflection questions for small groups to ponder “in real life” after the Zoom presentation.
"How To Practice Centering Prayer"
At The Contemplative Society, we are constantly inspired by the dedication of this community to the practice of silence. We know that your support comes from a deep belief in the transformative power of this work. However, we also know that explaining this practice to friends, family, or newcomers isn't always easy. And also that a refresher in the practice can be helpful.
To help support your own practice, and to give you a tool to share with others, we have released a new video: "How To Practice CENTERING PRAYER." This is a "back to basics" guide. We designed it to be accessible and clear, stripping away the confusion that sometimes surrounds the method.
Thank you for your continued support, which allows us to create and distribute resources like this to a world in need of stillness.
Stillness in Motion:
Weaving together contemplative and energy-healing practices.
Brought to you by...
A 1-day, in-person, retreat held in Victoria, B.C., Canada
Saturday, April 18, 2026
9 am – 4 pm Pacific Time (PT)
A retreat experience facilitated by Kimiko Karpoff and Leslie Sandra Black.
Evolving in Vision
At TCS's Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025, held on November 20, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Society presented a video reflecting an evolving vision for TCS. The video is entitled An Emerging Vision and its content reflects the collaborative efforts of TCS's Board. Positive recognition is offered to TCS Treasurer, Gerald Morton, who created the video with the technological assistance of AI.
Later in this New Year 2026, members of TCS's Board and team will contact a cross-section of members of our Society to explore with them the emerging vision identified in the video. Also, please be most welcomed to contact TCS at: admin@contemplative.org to share your perspectives on the emerging vision spoken of in the video.
The Contemplative Society is equally a spiritual community and contemplative family, joined together in the uniting spirit of The Divine. As an integral member of TCS, your personal discernment shared with us on our directions is both sought and valued.
Our love and blessings are always with you.
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.
Mail: 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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