Blessings!
We are pleased to invite you to register to attend Wisdom School: The Encounter with Evil Retreat online via Zoom! This retreat is being hosted by Heather Ruce and Cynthia Bourgeault at the Mercy Centre in California and there is still room to attend virtually! Please see below for more details.
For your awareness, Heather Ruce will also be leading an in-person Retreat during Holy Week, April 3 -5, 2023 at Bethlehem Centre in Nanaimo, B.C. Heather Ruce is a new member of The Contemplative Society Board and we are delighted she will be hosting a retreat on Vancouver Island. While registration is not yet open, we invite you to mark your calendar and keep your eyes open for a registration invitation email from us in the next few weeks.
Below you will also find invitations to other in-person events being offered across British Columbia by the Centre for Spritual Renewal.
Blessings!
Henri Lock
The Contemplative Society
In this timely wisdom school, we will be inquiring into the nature and presence of evil as a discernible force, with a focus on these key questions: What is a useful, contemporary understanding of evil? How can we effectively deal with evil, at both an individual and collective scale?
Teachings will draw from a wide variety of sources both spiritual and psychological, with the emphasis first and foremost on the practical: learning to recognize and shield oneself better from the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to evil, “speaking truth to power” in a way that wields real clout, and as necessary, to draw more intentionally and skillfully on assistance from realms beyond our own.
We will be exploring:
- the metaphysics of evil with an emphasis on the process and relational nature of its arising
- the psychology of evil
- the dangerous blind spot in the Christian strategy of “love conquers all”
- considerations of personal responsibility
- the remediating force of conscience and the costliness of engaging it
There will be an invitation to a wisdom way of approaching this material through a daily rhythm with periods of silence, centering prayer, teaching, conscious conversation, Gurdjieff Exercises and Movements, chanting, mindful work, and contemplative free time.
For those of you in British Columbia, there are a few upcoming in-person events being offered through the Centre for Spiritual Renewal in the next few weeks.
This four-week journey is an opportunity to deepen into the spiritual practice of listening prayer. Together we will learn about discerning the voice of God and listening as a path to inner healing and wellness.
Time & Date: Saturday January 28, 1:30 – 4:30 pm.
Location: St. Andrew’s Parish, Langley BC
To Register call (604) 534-6514.
This retreat invites you into a sacred pause to connect with God, an opportunity to explore the ways you hear from God and invite you to be open to new ways of hearing. There will be opportunities to participate in listening exercises, linger at listening prayer stations, sing Taize-style songs, and connect with one another.
The intention for this monthly group (last Monday of each month) is to deepen into our Centering Prayer practice, deepen our living contemplatively, and deepen in community. Each gathering includes a 30-minute practice of Centering Prayer and integration of teachings by contemplative Wisdom teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault.
Heather Murray
Katherine Murray deeply loves the practice of centering prayer as it opens up a way to be present to our union with God. She is currently in formation with Contemplative Outreach Greater Vancouver to be a commissioned centering prayer facilitator.
Elaine Chatwin
Elaine Chatwin is an experienced Centering Prayer practitioner. She teaches and leads Centering Prayer groups at the Parish of St. Dunstan.
MP3 SALE!
Thank You for your Support!
It is only with the support of our members and community that we are able to do what Cynthia calls “good planetary work”: providing support and resources for contemplative practitioners around the world and helping to promote the work done by local and international teachers. Our deepest thanks to all who have donated and support this work!
TCS is a non-profit society run by a volunteer Board and a dedicated circle of contemplatives. 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 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: