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The Deepening Stages of Consent: An Advent e-Retreat

November 30
free: donations accepted
Georgia O’Keeffe Ballet Skirt or Electric Light from the White Roses motif oil

The Deepening Stages of Consent
An Advent e-retreat
Monday November 30 – Thursday December 24, 2026
Free; suggested love offering $60 USD
Facilitated by Pamela Begeman, Justin Coutts and Matt Scrimgeour

“The essential meaning of the Incarnation is that [unconditional love] is totally available. Centering Prayer is simply a humble method of trying to access that infinite goodness by letting go of ourselves. Consent to God’s presence and action symbolized by the sacred word is nothing else than self-surrender and trust.”
– Thomas Keating, Intimacy with God

Inspired by teachings of Thomas Keating buried within video footage filmed for the original series, “The Gift of Life: Death & Dying, Life & Living,” this e-retreat explores the deepening consents experienced in an ongoing, evolving practice of Centering Prayer and the contemplative life. Fr. Thomas explores four levels of consent within the greater consent in Centering Prayer:

  • solitude
  • interior silence
  • self-forgetfulness
  • and consent to our nothingness.

Bringing the teachings of Thomas Keating into dialogue with the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, we will explore how contemplative practice deepens and changes over time – both “on the cushion” and in experiences of daily life.

This e-retreat invites you …

… into an intentional, devotional Advent experience
… to nuance and evolve your Centering Prayer practice
… to deepen your experience of living a contemplative life
… to share in community

You can expect:

  • Two emails per week on Monday and Thursday.
  • The Monday email will include a short video with reflection and commentary
  • The Thursday email will be a prayerful liturgy that weaves themes of Advent and consent into prayers, rituals and practice.
  • There will be two live weekly Zoom prayer groups to support your practice in community, each including a time of Centering Prayer and then a slightly different practice format – one reflective and one with liturgical prayer and ritual. The groups will be recorded for those that cannot attend live.
    • Monday, noon – 1pm Eastern (New York) time (5pm GMT, 11am CT, 9am PT)
    • Thursday, 6-7pm Eastern time (11pm GMT, 5pm CT, 3pm PT)

For those that are interested, a follow-up Zoom group for practice, conversation and sharing during the week of December 28

Please register using the link below. All love offerings of any size are greatly appreciated.

Details

Venue

  • Internet – Online

Organizer