September 2024 Newsletter

Autumn greetings, contemplatives.

Here I am, as I am. We came, physically, from across western Canada. We came, virtually, from Texas and North Carolina and Quebec and North Carolina and Ontario and Washington and Illinois and Maryland and New York and Ohio and Alberta. We showed up with rescue dogs and gardening tools; we showed up from kitchens and studies and the top of a windy Alberta park, wearing a warm toque.

In this world, as it is. We came with grief over deaths and the environmental catastrophes; we came with curiosity, with questions, with an overwhelming desire to bring in the reign of God.

Participants in The Contemplative Society’s fall retreat, “Three Centered Presence and Transformation of Consciousness: A Wisdom school with Heather Ruce”, came to learn how three-centered awareness supports the transformation of consciousness. Held at Sorrento Centre, British Columbia, on September 8th to 12th, 2024, the retreat integrated Gurdjieff movement practices with Swiss philosopher Jean Gebser’s insights on structures of human consciousness. The practices themselves—both the dances and the meditations/body prayers—brought the wider group into deep resonance with themselves and each other, and held out the hope that we could indeed return to our work with deepened stability and capacity—and joy. Studying Gebser’s structures of consciousness helped ground participants in a worldview that anticipates the new becoming and helps us make sense of the current chaos and suffering.

Ever connected, in this wondrous luminous web. Of particular note was the very deep integration between the physical and virtual retreats. Due in large part to Heather’s comfort with working online, and her capacity to keep both groups in mind as she was teaching, the retreat moved seamlessly between the room and the internet community, creating a sense of the whole, a single heart for the retreat.

This was the first time that TCS has offered a major retreat at Sorrento Centre, and the retreat space helped participants enter deeply into the week. The tech set-up was sophisticated and worked well; the opportunities for conscious labor rewarding and many; the physical setting beautiful; and the many options for housing guaranteed an affordable space for participants. Of special note was the welcome felt for the dogs of the retreat!

Ever abiding, in the heart of God. It is with gratitude that we thank Heather Ruce for her Wisdom leadership; Virginia Bennett, Lorie Martin and Therese DesCamp for tech support; and Sorrento Centre for a warm and welcoming home base. It was indeed “a sweet success,” “a gift from God,” “a meaningful and connecting experience,” and “an amazing few days spent in the inspiring, joyful and open-hearted company of fellow explorers on the Wisdom path”, which were exact words shared with us by various retreatants.

It is with great joy that we look forward to upcoming retreats and events with TCS and Wisdom Teacher Heather Ruce!

The Contemplative Society

A selection of photos from TCS’s “Three Centered Presence and Transformation of Consciousness: A Wisdom school with Heather Ruce” retreat at Sorrento Centre.

Soulful retreatants.

Zoom retreatants and Heather Ruce.

“Conscious Work” in the Sorrento Centre garden.

One of God’s creatures contemplating at the retreat.

“Workshop on Contemplative Practices and Spirituality: with Mary-Clare Carder (Facilitator).”

Four Session Workshop Via Zoom
Wednesdays:  October 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 2024
Time from: 7-8:30 pm PT

“The intention of this workshop series is to deepen our contemplative practices, strengthen our inner, spiritual muscles so that we may have more inner resources to be better healers and teachers to ourselves and the world. As a past Board member of The Contemplative Society, Keeley Bays, said; ‘direct inner experience, the most potent teacher of all.’ Let us bring earth near to heaven.” Mary-Clare Carder

This 4-part workshop is designed for people of all ages who are new to the contemplative path and wish to learn more, or simply want a refresher in contemplative practices, or would like to spend time with others on the contemplative path. All are welcome. The workshop fee is $80 and “paying from the heart” (paying whatever you can) is welcome.

For more Information and to Register

Introduction to Christian Contemplative Practice

A training event for new and experienced Christian contemplatives,
* to support and grow skills in Letting Go, and
* Opening the Heart to the Presence of God within.

Facilitators: Linda Mulhall and Henri Lock
October 6, 2024, 1:30 pm– 4:30pm
Esquimalt United Church
500 Admirals Road, Esquimalt, BC V9A 2N4

Please register by filling out this form:
EVENT REGISTRATION or email your name to: henrilock@gmail.com

FEE: Pay from the Heart as you are able: $0 – $25

For more information, email:
henrilock@gmail.com or l.mulhall@shaw.ca

Christian Contemplative Practice:
* Allows us to rest in God in the present moment,
* Teaches us to Let Go of regrets and worry, and
* Helps us to live out of the fulness of who we truly are, beyond ego and its dramas.

In this event, you will learn and practice:
* The prayer of silent meditation (Centering prayer),
* Lectio Divina (insightful reading of scripture), and
* Practicing mindfulness in daily life (letting go of regrets and worry and being fully present).

All are welcome, regardless of experience.

This event is offered by the Contemplative Practice Network of Greater Victoria and hosted by:

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024 – THE CONTEMPLATIVE SOCIETY

Notice is hereby provided that the Annual General Meeting 2024 of The Contemplative Society (TCS) will be held on:

Thursday 21st November 2024, from 6:30-8:30pm, via Zoom.  

All persons who are members of TCS are invited to participate.  Any member of TCS is also welcomed to identify in advance any personal interest in serving in a more formal capacity within TCS by e-mailing us at: admin@contemplative.org

Next month October, TCS members will be sent an e-mail with these same meeting details along with a request to identify personal interest in participating in this AGM so that a Zoom link to access the AGM can be sent to those interested members of the Society.

It is easy to join as and nourishing to be TCS as a member. To learn more, link through MEMBERSHIP.

TCS is a non-profit charitable organisation 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:

CLICK HERE > FOR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OPTIONS

Copyright © 2024 The Contemplative Society, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
PO Box 23031, Cook St. RPO
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8V 4Z8

E-mail: admin@contemplative.org

Telephone: +1.250.381.9650

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