October 2026 Newsletter
“...Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.”
- Wendell Berry
(Quoted in Berry's honour, after his passing in August 2026 at the age of 92. This quote also connects to TCS's Nature Divina video - Part II offered in this newsletter.)
In This Month's Issue...
Reflect with Rev. Jack Rose OSBCn on Benedictine Quantum Spirituality.
Experience Christian contemplation as a seminarian or young faith leader aged 40-and-under through Formed By Silence, a free TCS online retreat benevolently supported by a bequest from The Estate of Constance Irene Burns and held in partnership with the Faculty of Divinity, Trinity College, University of Toronto.
Strengthen in Nature Divina (Terra Divina) by viewing TCS's Part II video on this spiritual practice.
Imagine ritual as God’s gift to humanity by joining, Why Ritual?, a TCS online retreat facilitated by Paula Pryce.
NOTICE is officially given for AGM 2026 of TCS, to be held via Zoom on Thursday 29th October 2026, from 6:30-8pm Pacific Time.
Embrace the sacred season of Advent by joining with TCS for The Faces of Mary: An Advent 2026 Retreat of story and practice, facilitated by Gillian Drader, Kellie Brown, Lorie Martin.
Consider TCS's Forthcoming Retreats.
Benedictine Quantum Spirituality
by Rev. Jack Rose OSBCn
Traditional Benedictine spirituality, and Christian monasticism in general, are rooted in the rule of St. Benedict. The “Rule” has been followed, interpreted and examined by many for almost 1500 years, yet it still exists and thrives. This does not mean it cannot be influenced by the culture in which it resides in present time. The reflections on the influences which follow are the musings of this one Benedictine and may not represent the thoughts of others.
My grandson, a PhD candidate, stated that he believed “the human brain had the capability to solve all the mysteries of the universe, providing it was given the correct information”.
I am neither a neurologist, nor any type of research scientist, but I do know that present day science tells us that we are able to use 100% of our brain and not just 10% as previously believed. (MIT McGovern Institute) How often, and when we access our total brain capacity is another question. However, when we are solving problems, brain scans reveal that nearly all areas of the brain are working together and networks respond according to the task.
So, my grandson’s statement raises this question in my mind. Could this little piece of grey matter, itself part of creation, solve the mystery of creation, and so reveal the Creator?
Image: Josha Journal of Science, Humanity and Arts
The Contemplative Society
Presents:
"Formed by Silence:
Seminarians and Young Faith Leaders aged 40-and-under, Experiencing the Tradition of Contemplative Prayer."
A FREE online retreat in honour of
Constance Irene Burns.
With Nicholas Fournie and
Rev. Dr. Therese DesCamp.
Saturday 24 October 2026
9:00am - 2:00pm Pacific Time.
Created for seminarians and young faith leaders aged 40-and-under, this retreat offers a transformative entry into the Christian Wisdom tradition through contemplative stillness. Rooted in the 14th-century mystic text, The Cloud of Unknowing, this gathering will guide participants from theological study into direct experience via Centering Prayer (an apophatic practice of self-emptying silence) and the somatic Welcoming Practice for embodying divine presence in daily life.
This retreat is made possible through a generous gift received from The Estate of Constance Irene Burns.
This retreat is being held in Partnership with the Faculty of Divinity at:
Nature Divina (Terra Divina) Part II - Practice Video
Join us in this 16-minute contemplative practice of praying with nature, Terra Divina.
Visit our website for the free downloadable PRACTICE.
Drawing on the four movements of Lectio Divina, this guided meditation invites us to encounter the natural world through sacred attention. We begin by wandering and noticing, allowing ourselves to reflect and listen, bringing our response into prayer, and finally resting quietly in presence.
The practice does not ask us to find a particular message in nature or turn the natural world into a spiritual lesson. Instead, it offers an opportunity to slow down enough to receive the place where we are: to notice, to listen, and to remember that we are participants in the living world rather than observers standing outside it.
Terra Divina can be practised almost anywhere. Find a quiet place outdoors, settle into your surroundings, and allow the landscape itself to become your companion in prayer.
Photo: Egypt Lake Trail, Banff National Park, Canada. Credit: Nicholas Fournie.
The Contemplative Society
Presents:
"Why Ritual?
The relationship of stability and openness in contemplative prayer.
Facilitated by Paula Pryce.
Thursday 05 November 2026
6:30-8:30pm Pacific Time.
(This retreat will be recorded for later access by participants.)
$45 or pay-from-the-heart.
Ritual is God’s gift to humanity.
Whether formal liturgy or intentional living, ritual exists in every culture as a conduit to the Divine beyond our own imagination. Ritual provides an anchor that steadies us in the fluid, often unsettling world of moving beyond the ordinary and expected.
Photo courtesy of artofit.com
In recognition of their membership, current TCS members who register in this retreat will receive a $10 discount coupon, valid until November 15th, 2026, for any purchases made in TCS's e-store.
Explore TCS membership HERE.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Annual General Meeting 2026
of
The Contemplative Society
DATE: Thursday 29th October 2026
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm Pacific Time
LOCATION: To be held via Zoom.
This AGM is open to all members of The Contemplative Society (TCS). To renew your membership or to become a member of TCS, check HERE.
Details on registering in and accessing both documentation and the Zoom link for AGM 2026 of The Contemplative Society will be sent to the e-mail address on file for each TCS member.
Presents:
The Faces of Mary:
An Advent 2026 Retreat of story and practice.
Thursday, December 10, 2026
6:30-8:30pm Pacific Time
Facilitators: Gillian Drader, Kellie Brown, Lorie Martin.
(This retreat will be recorded for later access by participants.)
$45 or pay-from-the-heart.
This evening Advent retreat offers time in the collective with the facilitators bringing fascinating facets of Mary. A variety of quiet, stillness, and hands-on practices will emerge from story and heart-felt sharing. The faces, postures, and heart of Mary hold the paradox of waiting; like winter when nothing seems to be happening, but so much is going on beneath first glance. Mary guides us with the art of holding paradox - waiting while much is being prepared to emerge. Together we will deepen into the necessary waiting and wondering of Advent in patient trust with what we can’t “see”.
"Forthcoming Retreats" with TCS
_______________________
An online retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault.
To be held toward the end of February 2027.
More details to come.
_______________________
"Tending the Threshold:
Drawing on the Wisdom of the Three Marys,"
in-person and online with Heather Ruce.
Thursday 22nd April 2027 (7pm) through to Sunday 25th April 2027 (12noon).
The in-person retreat will be held on Vancouver Island, Canada at the Cowichan Lake Research Station Conference Centre.
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 © 2026 - The Contemplative Society. All rights reserved.
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