Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.

Writing Into the New Year: A Contemplative Writing Retreat
2025-01-10 16:00 - 2025-01-12 12:00 UTC | Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, 167 Neck Road, Madison, CT, 06443-0191, United States
Stories give shape to the human experience
and touch us in our innermost places.
They pick us up right where we are and
leave us somewhere else – changed, transformed,
more awake, alive and aware.
– Sara Mackenzie, author
Life provides us with countless stories — of love, loss, grief, and courage; stories of unexpected life changes, family relationships, spiritual journeys, small miracles, and experiences in nature. Writing our stories demands attentiveness, honesty, courage, and a commitment to engage with a creative process that pulls us into the unknown where we are often surprised at what surfaces. It’s a journey of discovery.
This retreat will blend periods of Centering Prayer, personal writing time, talks, and creativity exercises. There will be time to read, walk the grounds, or gaze out at the waters of Long Island Sound. Come to work on a current project, begin stories long thought about, or immerse yourself in silence in order to discover what needs to be voiced. Come to be still and know …
Please see the link below to register.

Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ - via Zoom
2025-01-09 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Internet – Online
Heartfulness is the sixth in a series of eight courses in the Spiritual Journey Series. In this series Fr. Thomas guides the listener toward an understanding of the contemplative dimension of the Gospel and its extraordinary implications and applications for personal freedom and global peace. Fr. Thomas calls this the journey of heartfulness, and says that Centering Prayer might be thought of as heartfulness. Centering Prayer as contemplative prayer is a reflection on the mysteries of faith that has been digested and reflected upon and expressed in acts of love until it has simplified into a movement of the will that is becoming quasi-permanent – a way of occupying the mind and transferring it to the heart so that with practice it becomes more “heartfulness” than “mindfulness”.
This is a nine-week course officially starting on Thursday, January 9 2025, at 6:30 pm Mountain Time.
A wide range of topics is covered in this course. The topics for each week are:
Week 1 – The Pursuit of Happiness
Week 2 – The Human Condition
Week 3 – Centering Prayer
Week 4 – Sin
Week 5 – Suffering
Week 6 – Redemption
Week 7 – Love and The Trinity
Week 8 – Divine Indwelling
Week 9 – Divine Transformation
Each week, we will begin with Centering Prayer. Your facilitators will provide an introduction to the topic for the week and we will watch the video (20 to 25 minutes) together. Then we will take a break and you will look over the questions to be discussed in the break-out groups. Discussion will take place in the break-out groups and we will gather together once again to close out the class.
Time Listed are Mountain Time (Denver, Colorado)
Click the website link below to register. Scholarships are available.

Contemplative Living II: Daily Life as Prayer – via Zoom
2025-01-01 08:00 - 2025-04-01 17:00 UTC | Internet – Online
Your life is hidden with Christ in God.
– Colossians 3:3
Further enrich your contemplative life and embrace the practice of living each day as a form of prayer. In Contemplative Living I (CL I) the focus is on deepening your interior prayer life, leading to the awareness of God’s presence in all that is. In Contemplative Living II (CL II) the focus shifts towards increased intentionality in how you are living your daily life. You likely have a better understanding of what blocks you in deepening your relationship with God, others, and even with yourself. You are now more capable of looking at your part in relationships and what gets in the way of being and becoming the person God created you to be. Building on the contemplative practices learned in CL I, in CL II you will assess where you are in your life and how you can make choices aligning with your authentic self.
The design of Contemplative Living II: Daily Life as Prayer:
Gaining contemplative attitudes and dispositions through

Contemplative Listening – a practice of active listening in group spiritual direction, raising your awareness of the movements of the Divine within you and others.
Contemplative Discernment – a method of going to God with your questions and desires, allowing the answers to find you
Contemplative Awareness related to Addictions, Attachments and Aversion – using contemplative discernment to surface habit patterns that have become compulsions that you no longer freely choose
The Forgiveness Prayer – a prayer that guides you to follow Jesus’s example to live with hearts open to love
Contemplative Service – a vocation, a calling, or a way of life that’s rooted in living a contemplative life
Commitment to a Contemplative Rule of Life – looking at the rhythm of life you’ve created in this course, what practices have worked for you and that you will continue to commit to in the ordinary activities of your life
Contemplative Living Communities – the support we receive from community enhances our spiritual journey and is helpful to continue in some way at the end of the course

Please see the link below for more information and to register.

A Morning of Peace and Refreshment - via Zoom
2024-12-21 08:45 - 11:45 (America/Denver) | Internet – Online
A morning mini-retreat of Centering Prayer periods, contemplative breaks and lectio divina.
As we enter the holidays, join us for a deepening of interior silence, as we rest together in God’s presence.
Times noted are in Pacific Standard Time.
Please use the Zoom link below.

Advent Silent Saturday
2024-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, CA, 91436, United States
As we enter the season of Advent, join us for a quiet morning of Centering Prayer and silence. The day is open to beginners as well as those experienced in contemplative prayer or silent meditation. The day provides time for communal Centering Prayer, a contemplative walk, and private journaling and reflection, and ends with a period of Lectio Divina. All are welcome. A brief introduction to Centering Prayer will be offered for those new to the practice.
Facilitators: Silent Saturday Centering Prayer Team
A free will offering is gratefully appreciated.
For more information, please email Marilyn Nobori at centeringprayer@hsrcenter.com.
Registration online at www.hsrcenter.com is appreciated but not required.
(Arrive by 8:50 a.m.)
(Photo by Waldemar, Unsplash)

Virtual Silent Saturday with Julie Saad
2024-12-14 08:30 - 13:30 (Asia/Karachi) | Internet – Online
Contemplative Outreach of Columbus is offering a Virtual Silent Saturday. A Silent Saturday provides a few hours that are set aside for Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, spiritual teaching and reflection. “Come rest awhile with the Lord” in preparation for Christmas.
Interior Silence: Resting in the Midst of Activity
Advent is a season of quiet and darkness but also includes a frenzy we often experience during the holidays. How can our contemplative practices help us experience interior silence during this holy time of year? How can our silence be the place of receptivity to God coming to us as our lives?
Julie is the author of Contemplative Life: Discovering Our Path into the Heart of God. Julie practices and teaches Centering Prayer and the other contemplative practices outlined in the book. She is a member of the Contemplative Outreach community in Denver and the coordinator of the Contemplative Living Experience program which is a formation program in contemplative life.
Expect that the day will begin at 8:30am and last until 2:30pm. EST
Register by sending an email to Bob Gorman at rbrtgorman@protonmail.com
and a zoom link will be sent to you a few days in advance.
The event is free. Nondeductible donations to Contemplative Outreach of Columbus to cover costs are welcome. They can be sent to the care of Tom Davis at 844 Franklin Ave, Columbus, OH 43205.

3-day Advent Centering Prayer Retreat
2024-12-13 18:00 - 2024-12-15 11:00 (America/New_York) | Cedarbrake Renewal Center, 5602 Hwy 317, Belton, TX, 76513, United States
3-day Advent CP Retreat″
This 3-day, in-person Centering Prayer Retreat is offered by The Church of Conscious Harmony and begins Fri, Dec 13th at 6pm US Central (Dallas) time and concludes Sun, Dec 15th at 11:00am at Cedarbrake Renewal Center in Belton, Texas.
For more info and to register, select the link below or call the church office at 512-347-9673.

Centering Prayer and Guard of the Heart 3 Day Retreat
2024-12-12 17:00 - 2024-12-14 15:00 UTC | St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development, 770 St. Mary's Lane, TN, 37375, United States
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the indwelling Presence, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.
Two Guard of the Heart practices, the Active Prayer Sentence and the Welcoming Prayer, are to be used when we are going about our daily lives, the Active Prayer Sentence under normal circumstances and the Welcoming Prayer when we experience afflictive emotions. This retreat will combine elements of a Centering Prayer Retreat with both instruction and practice in these two Guard of the Heart practices. The design of all of these comes from Thomas Keating through Contemplative Outreach.
Scholarship assistance is available. Please contact Reservations for application, reservations@stmaryssewanee.org, 931-598-5342.

The Heavens are Telling-The Spirituality of the Universe Story - Centering Prayer retreat
2024-12-12 16:00 - 2024-12-15 13:00 UTC | Siena Retreat Center, Racine WI, 5637 Erie St, Racine, WI 53402, Racine, WI, 53402, United States
Today the ongoing development of scientific understandings of the origins of the universe are deeply shaping spirituality. The Universe, or New Story moves us, among other things, from a fall-redemption spirituality to a creation-centered, evolutionary one, and from an adolescent spirituality to an adult one. Come aside for this retreat to look deeply into this new chapter in the evolution of spirituality, and reflect on its implications for ourselves, our faith traditions, and the world.
This is a Centering Prayer retreat that is silent throughout including during meals, interspersed with conferences by the presenter, time for Q & A, scheduled times for Centering Prayer in community, periods of free time to enjoy walking in nature, and optional soul friending with staff.
Please see the link below to register.

Lectio Divina and the Four Senses of Scripture
2024-12-10 14:00 - 2024-12-13 14:00 (America/New_York) | Holy Cross Monastery – New York, 1615 Route 9W, West Park, NY, 12493, United States
This Praying Holy Scripture retreat offers presentations based upon Fr. Thomas Keating’s teachings on the deepening levels of faith: the Four Senses of Scripture – literal, allegorical, behavioral/moral, and unitive senses. The presentations teach a contemplative way of listening to and reading Scripture known as the ancient monastic practice of Lectio Divina. During the retreat, one will experience the interplay of silence and Praying Holy Scripture combined with the rhythm of this Episcopal Benedictine monastic community’s worship and prayer life including Holy Eucharist. This contemplative retreat welcomes those comfortable with silence and yearning to learn this ancient way of praying rather than studying Holy Scripture.
Tuesday check-in is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Vespers begins at 5:00pm. Dinner then follows. Orientation begins at 6:45pm. The retreat concludes with breakfast on the last day with optional attendance at Holy Eucharist.
Cost for the retreat is $430. The retreat fee includes a single room and all meals. Shared single occupancy bathrooms in the hallways. Register by e-mail or phone our Guesthouse Manager, Donna Mallory at 845-384-6660 ext 1 or at guesthouse@hcmnet.org.
If you have questions about the retreat content or which track is best for you, please contact retreat leader: Leslee Terpay at co-leslee@comcast.net.
To find out more about Holy Cross Monastery, visit their website at: www.holycrossmonastery.com

Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic — A Dialogue with Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette (via Zoom)
2024-12-10 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic — A Dialogue with Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette
Tuesday December 10, 2024
1-2pm Eastern Time (6pm GMT, noon CT, 11am MT, 10am PT) via Zoom
Free; $25 suggested donation
This event will be recorded
Available November 26, 2024, Cynthia Bourgeault’s new book, Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic, is a much-anticipated portrait of Thomas Keating’s remarkable evolution during the last decades of his life into a fully realized modern-day Christian mystic. This book has rave reviews from Richard Rohr, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Rami Shapiro, Ilia Delio and others.
David Frenette said in his review: “As a close student and friend of Thomas Keating’s for thirty-five years, I was exhilarated reading this lively and profound exploration of his journey into unity consciousness, and grateful the world has the opportunity to glimpse the inner life, struggles, and spiritual evolution of this extraordinary soul. A must-read for Centering Prayer practitioners in navigating the farther, subtler terrain of their path and for anyone seeking a model of embodied Christian nonduality. Cynthia has given Thomas, and the world, a tremendous gift with this masterpiece of modern mysticism.” (author of The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God)
On the auspicious day of December 10, the 56th anniversary of Thomas Merton’s death, Cynthia and David Frenette will meet together on Zoom to discuss the book, the parallel lives and vision of Keating and Merton and the evolution of the Christian contemplative journey into unitive and nondual consciousness. This discussion celebrates the continuation of these teaching and practices in each of our lives and on behalf of the world.
Please register below for the Zoom link. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic by Cynthia Bourgeault is available for preorder on Bookshop (for those who prefer independent booksellers) or here on Amazon. Book will ship on November 26, 2024.
About Cynthia Bourgeault

Cynthia is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, and theologian. She divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine and traveling globally to promote the rediscovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is a core faculty member emerita at the Center for Action and Contemplation and founding director of an international network of Wisdom Schools. Cynthia’s articles and essays have appeared in many journals and publications, and she is the author of numerous books, including Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Eye of the Heart, The Wisdom Jesus, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three, and The Heart of Centering Prayer. You can find out more about her teachings and events at wisdomwaypoints.org and cynthiabourgeault.org

About David Frenette
David Frenette is author of The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God, and a spiritual director/transpersonal counselor (now retired). He studied and worked closely with Father Thomas Keating for 35 years, and co-founded and co-led Chrysalis House, a Christian contemplative retreat community under Fr. Keating’s guidance. David has led Centering Prayer retreats at leading venues across the country, served as a trustee of Contemplative Outreach, on the faculty of Naropa University, and was involved with the founding of Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute. More info and teachings can be found at www.davidfrenette.com/.

12/4/2025 Grease Spot Theology: Living It Out in Everyday Life
a Zoom presentation with Mary Dwyer

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Centering Prayer Half-Day Advent Retreat
2024-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Church of Conscious Harmony, 7406 Newhall Lane, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Half-Day Centering Prayer Advent Retreat
Sat, Dec 7th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Central Time; offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony
There will be Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Silence & Solitude. All are welcome to participate in this half-day retreat.
There is no cost. Donations are joyfully received. For more info and to register, select the link below.

Trusting in the Mercy of God
2024-12-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 127 Summer Street, Lynnfield, MA, 01940, United States
This day-long Centering Prayer retreat will be based on the themes explored in Cynthia Bourgeault’s book Mystical Hope – themes that are both timeless and eminently relevant today. Our time together will be marked by chanting, silence, teaching and Centering Prayer.

Encountering and Deepening Into God’s Inspiration: A Lectio-Inspired Advent Day of Retreat and Practice - in person and online
2024-12-07 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
Spend an Advent day learning and experiencing how to encounter and deepen into God’s inspiration in sacred scripture and poetry, art, music, yourself, and your life. Our foundation will be Lectio Divina, the ancient method of reading, reflecting, responding, and resting in scripture, and we’ll apply that to poetry as well. We’ll continue with Visio Divina, praying with an icon created by a local iconographer. Lectio-inspired methods focused on music, body senses, and noticing God’s action in our daily lives will round out the day.
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.
Please see the link below to register.

Advent Retreat
2024-12-05 16:00 - 2024-12-08 13:00 UTC | Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd, Frenchville, PA, 16836, United States
“Bridges to Contemplative Living” leads participants on a journey toward personal spiritual transformation and a more contemplative and peace-filled life.
This retreat is designed for those with an established daily practice of Centering Prayer who wish to deepen the transforming love of God in the midst of silence and solitude.
The weekend will include Centering Prayer, conferences with contemplative dialogue, personal time, meals and Sunday liturgy.
Please use the link below to register.

Beyond Theology: The Interspiritual Wisdom of Roshis, Rebbes, and Holy Rascals - in person and online
2024-11-23 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
From the moment theologians seek to tame God with names and adjectives, mystics step into the wilderness to reveal the God beyond naming, and the ethical challenge to which this God calls us. Drawing on the wisdom and practices of the Hebrew and Greek Bibles, Kabbalists and Hasidim, Zen Roshis and Holy Rascals, Fr. Michael Holleran and Rabbi Rami Shapiro invite you to accompany them into the wilderness to meet the One beside whom there is nothing else (Deuteronomy 4:35).
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.
This program will include a morning and an afternoon session of Centering Prayer.
Please see the link below to register.

Embracing - a Retreat at Prairiewoods
2024-11-18 14:30 - 2024-11-20 11:00 UTC | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA, 52233, United States
A Retreat for the Season leading into Christmas
Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach Northeast Iowa Chapter
Is it time to embrace
– the movement of the Spirit in your life?
– a difficult relationship?
– a path to inner and outer peace?
– all that has come to you?
– hope when hope is lost?
– change when what is seems so comfortable?
The “Embracing” retreat is an opportunity to spend “time away” in the company of other pilgrims. This event (Monday at 2:30 pm through Wednesday at 11:30 am) will include structured opportunities for
– Quiet prayer in the Presence;
– Sacred Reading of Scripture;
– Communal Sung Prayer;
– Communal meals; plus
Free time for
– Yoga or Tai Chi,
– a Nature walk,
– walking a labyrinth,
– hand massage, and more
Registration: To register online, the link below; OR send an email to us with your intent, and we will send you a form to return with a check for the registration fee. Online registration closes November 4 @ 9 am.
Fees:
Full Retreat with shared room: $175
Full Retreat with individual room: $215
Commuter: $145 (meals, no overnight room);
One day only (Tuesday) $75 (with no overnight)
Prairiewoods is at 120 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA.
Photo by Grant Ritchie on Unsplash
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will there be food provided?
A: Yes, there will be fruit, drinks (coffee, tea and water) and other snacks available throughout the event. Meals will be served by Prairiewoods staff, with the option to accommodate people with special dietary needs.
Q2: Will silence be a part of the event?
A: Yes, much of the retreat will include internal and external silence. However, there will some time for conversation with other retreatants.
Q3: Can I attend only part of the retreat?
A: Yes. We encourage people to attend the whole event; however, if you can only come for one day, you are welcome to do so. The related costs are listed above
Q4: Will I be expected to share many details of my life?
A: No. There will be time for introductions with other group members, but not extensive sharing. If extended sharing is desired, there will be opportunities to meet one-on-one with one of the leaders.
Q5: Is Prairiewoods handicap accessible?
A: Yes. The Center has all facilities on one level. While there are two levels withing the building for sleeping rooms, you may request a room on the floor level. Retreatants will need to assess whether the outdoor grounds are safe for them.
Q6: Is there anything else I might want to know about Prairiewoods?
A: Yes. Indoors, there is an onsite bookstore, an area for meals and snacks, a quiet prayer room, our meeting room, etc. Outdoors, the wooded grounds provide a space to commune in nature; with an outdoor labyrinth available.
Q7 If I cannot attend this event, can my registration be refunded?
Refunds are possible until 9 am November 4. However, thereafter we cannot provide refunds because of our contract with Prairiewoods. With this we guarantee the number of participants and associated fees. Refunds will be the full amount minus the Eventbrite processing fee if payment is made online.

One-Day Centering Prayer In-person Retreat
2024-11-16 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Church of Conscious Harmony, 7406 Newhall Lane, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Sat, Nov 16th, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. Prayerful movement will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Periods of Centering Prayer will be held in the Sanctuary. All are welcome.
Bring a bag lunch. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more info and to register, select the link below.

Thomas Keating: Centering Prayer and Spiritual Transformation - via Zoom
2024-11-16 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
“The spiritual journey,” writes Thomas Keating, “ is not a career or a success story. It is a series of humiliations of the false self that becomes more and more profound. These make room inside us for the Holy Spirit to come in and heal. What prevents us from being available to God is gradually evacuated. We keep getting closer and closer to our center. Every now and then God lifts a corner of the veil and enters into our awareness through various channels, as if to say, “Here I am. Where are you? Come and join me.’”
– The Human Condition, p. 38
During this online retreat we will engage in Centering Prayer, watch Thomas Keating’s teachings on the emotional energy centers, and reflect on our own spiritual journeys.
Father Thomas Keating was a Cistercian monk, abbot, spiritual advisor, and founder of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. Through his writing and teaching he brought the practice of Centering Prayer to the contemporary world.
Please see the link below to register.

My Peace I Give You: A Centering Prayer Day with the Aramaic Jesus
2024-11-16 | Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA, 94010, United States
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
— John 14:27
During this immersive day of Centering Prayer we will engage with our full embodied being in Centering Prayer as well as chanting, Lectio Divina (divine reading), and body prayers. In Lectio Divina will take a contemplative look at the words of Jesus through the Aramaic language that he spoke. Aramaic has far fewer words than many modern languages, and each word is rich with multiple meanings. We will explore and deepen some of his sayings and their meaning for us in our Centering Prayer and our lives just as we are in this moment. Come join us on the beautiful Mercy grounds for these sacred practices with others in a sacred circle.
Schedule (subject to change):
9:30 Grounding practices, introduction to the day and themes, and to each other
10:00 Centering Prayer
10:30 Break
10:45 Teaching and Lectio Divina: Aramaic Jesus
11:30 Centering Prayer
12:00 Lunch and Contemplative Free Time
1:30 Centering Prayer
2:00 Teaching and Lectio Divina: Aramaic Jesus
2:45 Break
3:00 Centering Prayer
4:00 Close
Leaders
Joy Andrews Hayter, Ph.D. is a spiritual director whose offerings include Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices of the Christian Wisdom tradition. She is the author of The Cosmic Web: Hope For Our World Through Science and Spirituality. Find out more at joyfulfillment.com.
Heather Ruce, M.A. is a Wisdom Spiritual Director who offers Wisdom Practice Circles, Retreats, and Wisdom Schools focused on the expansive Christian Wisdom Tradition. She works within the lineage of Wisdom Teacher Cynthia Bourgeault whom she has been a student of for over a decade. Heather weaves her Masters in Marital & Family Therapy and training in Somatic Experiencing, Organic Intelligence & Spiritual Direction into her teaching and guidance in various Wisdom practices, all in service of waking up and putting on the Mind of Christ. Find out more at heatherruce.com.
Catherine Regan, Ph.D.
Catherine Regan, Ph.D. is a spiritual director, retired psychologist, and adjunct staff member at Mercy Center, primarily serving on the Centering Prayer team. She has a special interest in participating in the reclamation of the Christian Wisdom tradition and fostering the contemplative practices so urgently needed at this time in our world.
Please see the link below to register.

6 DAY (5 NIGHT) CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH INTENSIVE SILENT CENTERING PRAYER RETREAT
2024-11-10 16:00 - 2024-11-15 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street NE, Lacey, WA, 98516, United States
This retreat, called an “Intensive Retreat” by Contemplative Outreach, provides an opportunity to deepen your established Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of silence and community, away from the busyness of daily life, and to allow your mind, body and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within. It has an educational component to immerse you both in the practice of Centering Prayer and, increasingly, in the conceptual background of the spiritual practice.
Each day there will be about three and a half hours of Centering Prayer, ranging from 20 to 30-minute periods of prayer, some back-to-back with a contemplative walk in between. In addition, participants will view videos from the Thomas Keating “Spiritual Journey” video series. Except for opening and closing times, silence will be observed throughout the retreat, including at meals. Participants can choose to remain in silence after the videos or participate in a short sharing session on the teaching.
Before attending the retreat, you should have an established daily practice of Centering Prayer with two 20-minute periods of prayer a day for at least six months to one year.
Please see the link below to register.

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
2024-11-09 09:00 - 12:30 UTC | Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA, 92691, United States
Saturday, November 9, 2024. 9am – 12:30pm.
Registration is required. $25.00 per person includes light breakfast and snacks
Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
Or contact Jill Yamada jillprays@aol.com 949 257-6002
The Introductory Workshop is a deep dive into the practice of Centering Prayer. If you’ve been practicing Centering Prayer for a while or are new to the practice and have never attended an introductory workshop, we believe it’s essential to your practice. If you’ve attended a prior workshop and would like a refresher, you are welcome as well.
We will learn the background and nuts and bolts of sitting, consenting, while taming your thoughts, allowing God to be God and how letting go to the Lord’s Spirit within is a miraculous work of God.

Quiet Day with Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina – in German language (Zoom online event)
2024-11-09 09:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Paris) | Internet – Online
An diesem Tag gönnen wir uns, einmal für ein paar Stunden scheinbar nichts zu machen, wir lassen einfach geschehen. Wir legen die Handys beiseite (falls wir es nicht zum Teilnehmen am Zoom Meeting benötigen), lassen den Alltag hinter uns und verbringen die Zeit weitgehend schweigend miteinander. Wir habe Zeit für stille Meditation (Centering Prayer oder eine andere Form des stillen Gebets), Meditation mit einem Text (Lectio Divina) und vielleicht auch eine Zeit abseits des Computers in der Natur oder der Umgebung, in der wir leben.
Es sind keine Vorkenntnisse erforderlich, es erfolgt allerdings keine Einführung in die stille Meditation.
Der gemeinsame Tag beginnt um 9:00 Uhr und endet gegen 12:30 Uhr CET.
Registrierung erforderlich bis 12:00 Uhr einen Tag vor dem Event.
All times in CET

Prayer for Healing and Wholeness in Our Post-Election World
2024-11-08 16:00 - 2024-11-10 12:00 UTC | Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, 167 Neck Road, Madison, CT, 06443-0191, United States
No matter the outcome of this year’s US election, our nation will face tremendous challenges following months of divisive, wounding campaign rhetoric. During this weekend of intentional silence and stillness, we will seek to create a spaciousness within in order to nurture the enduring vision and experiences of the Sacred. This silent retreat will include periods of Centering Prayer; contemplative practices; simple body exercises; contemplative conversation; and quiet time for reflection, reading, and walking the grounds. We will be encouraged by the words and poetry of contemporary contemplative visionaries including Constance FitzGerald, ODC, Teilhard de Chardin, Ilia Delio, Thomas Keating, and Cynthia Bourgeault, who echo the ancient prophets’ trust that contemplative prayer, “can bring within the realm of possibility … the paradigm shifts and transformation required to invent a new kind of earth community.” (C. FitzGerald). While this retreat is intended for those with a Centering Prayer or other contemplative prayer practices, a very brief review of Centering Prayer will be provided on Saturday morning.
Please see the link below to register.

Half-Day Centering Prayer (In-person)
2024-11-06 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Church of Conscious Harmony, 7406 Newhall Lane, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Half-Day Centering Prayer
Wed, Nov 6th 12:00 – 4:00pm CST – This half-day Centering Prayer retreat is offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. Please join us for a special afternoon retreat at CCH. A light vegetarian lunch of soup, salad and bread will be served.
Donations are gratefully accepted. For more info and to register, select the link below.

Centering Prayer Retreat
2024-11-04 - 2024-11-08 | Subiaco Monastery, 405 N. Subiaco Ave., Subiaco, AR, 72865, United States
Consider giving yourself the GIFT of a Centering Prayer Retreat at Subiaco Monastery, November 4-8, 2024. The retreat will have ample periods of SILENCE, three prayer/meditation periods per day, and some teaching on the TRANSFORMATION of the false (or lower) self. A recommended book to read before the retreat is The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. This is not a requirement but I will be sharing ideas from Michael’s material. The monastery/retreat center location is in a peaceful, pastoral setting in the Arkansas River Valley.
COST: private room- $450.00; shared room- $370.00; a $50.00 NON-refundable deposit is required at time of registration.
REGISTRATION: call Laura or Donna at the Coury House Retreat Center- (479) 934-1290 to reserve your place.
LEADER: Nicholas Cole M.D., who has staffed retreats in Colorado and Arkansas since 1993. He has been mentored by Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, and ALL the retreatants he has served during these thirty plus years. If you have questions for Nick, he may be reached at (970) 275-1170 and/or: ngcole42@gmail.com
A retreat is a wonderful way to strengthen a meditation practice and thus bring more of the spiritual practice into our lives. Retreatants will be best served by having a daily practice of Centering Prayer/meditation prior to attending (please discuss with Nick if you have questions in this regard). Retreatants will be asked to commit to attending the entire retreat. You’ve thought about giving yourself this kind of GIFT…. if not NOW….when?
ARRIVAL: Between 3- 5pm on Monday, November 4, 2024. Supper at 6:00pm. Opening Circle at 7:00pm.
DEPARTURE: After lunch on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Various Silent Retreats - Prière de consentement Québec
2024-11-03 - 2024-11-12 | Granby Quebec, Granby, J2G-J2J, Canada
Prière de consentement Québec offers three silent retreats in Granby, Québec:
3 day retreat: November 8 at 5:00 p.m. to November 10 at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $295.85 Cdn
6 day retreat: November 3 at 5:00 p.m. to November 8 at 11:00 a.m. Cost is $754 Cdn
10 day retreat: November 3 at 5:00 p.m. to November 12 at 11:00 a.m. Cost is $1, 315.10 Cdn
The documentation, explanations and lectio divina will be in French. A moderate level of comprehension is needed.
For more information, contact Hélène Goulet, goulet.h@gmail.com

Integrating Mind, Body, Spirit with Centering Prayer - via Zoom
2024-11-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Internet – Online
Presented by Dr. Christine O’Brien and Eric Peter – This session provides you with practical exercises to augment your Centering Prayer practice and maintain a reservoir of connection to oneself and the Divine Indwelling. Simple routines proven to calm the nervous system and focus on the heart can release past hurts and traumas that may exist beyond our awareness. You don’t necessarily have to re-live these events, or talk about them, to release them. Christine and Eric will explain the science of how and why these practices work. Then, we will perform them together so you will leave with practical techniques to help slow your reactionary false-self programs.
You will learn:
About post-traumatic growth
Active practices to integrate into your day to regain your center
How to achieve heart coherence and why it leads to inner security and stability
Vestibule practices to use before your centering prayer sit that may deepen your experience
This event will include a session of Centering Prayer.
Recording Note: This event will be recorded. All registrants will receive a copy of the Zoom recording within 2 weeks of the event.
About Dr. Christine (Travers) O’Brien
Dr. Christine O’Brien has been involved with Contemplative Outreach since 1992. As a doctor for 37 years, she has seen the powerful effects of spiritual belief on health. As a mother of seven children, she knows the challenges of nurturing a family with loving kindness and compassion. She was the Medical Director of Whole Health Program for the Cheyenne Veteran’s Administration, where she used research on neuroscience to validate and teach veterans about the human ability to transform mind, body and soul with contemplative practice.
About Eric Peter
Eric Peter is a practitioner and certified Level 11 instructor of Trauma Release Exercises (TRE). Eric studied directly under Dr. David Berceli, Ph.D. He has been teaching TRE to individuals, groups and organizations for several years. As a former active duty infantry Marine, he was initially inspired to serve fellow soldiers, friends and family members suffering from the effects of combat trauma. Along the path of service, he realized trauma and everyday stress are a natural part of life, and recovery is just as natural and includes the entire human family. Eric offers a unique and practical perspective in the recovery of trauma and the management of everyday stress from his rich practice of yoga and contemplative prayer. He also teaches the Creating Space for Change class.
Times listed are mountain time (Denver, CO)
Click the website link below to register. Scholarships are available.

A Morning of Peace and Refreshment - via Zoom
2024-11-02 08:45 - 11:45 (America/Denver) | Internet – Online
Join us for an online morning of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina.
Please refer to flyer for information and contact to receive link.
Times listed are Pacific (California) time.
RSVP for link to pcurreysd@gmail.com

Three or Five-Day Centering Prayer Retreat
2024-10-28 08:00 - 2024-11-01 17:00 UTC | Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers, GA, 330094, United States
Centering Prayer is a form of Christian silent meditation rooted in the self-emptying love that forms the heart of Jesus’ teaching and life. This retreat is an opportunity to learn Centering Prayer as a way to deepen one’s contemplative journey in the contemporary world. The retreat offers two tracks:

The three-day track is recommended for people who have not completed the introductory workshop and wish to learn to practice Centering Prayer.
The five-day track is recommended for people who have an established and regular practice of Centering Prayer.

Both the three- and five- day Centering Prayer retreat provide group experiences of silence, solitude, and space for optional prayer times with the monks, including Mass. Afternoons include time for walking in nature and soul friending with retreat facilitators. The retreat experience fosters an ever-deepening level of interior silence and may lead to an awareness of the presence of God in everyday life.
Schedule: The retreat starts for both the 3- and 5-day track on Monday, October 28 with check in at 2:00 PM. The 3-day track ends Wednesday, October 30th at noon, and the 5-day track ends Friday, November 1st at 10:00 AM.
Program Fee: $450 for the 3-day track and $700 for the 5-day track.
Please see the link below for more information and to register.
