JOURNEYING INTO THE DIVINE
EXPLORING FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
Movements of Prayer in the Christian Tradition: Going Deeper
Saturday, December 8, 2007, 8:30 am-3:00 pm
Registration is requested by November 29--after that, please call for space availability.
Presented by Martha Mason, Jo Ann Staebler, Phil Stone and Isabelle Robinson.
Tuition, per session, payable in advance: $50 (includes lunch).
This program, similar in format to the spring 2007 program, will offer three different ways to deepen the life of prayer.
Christian Meditation
Christian meditation is an ancient form of prayer, at once very simple and as deep as the profundity of God. In prayer, busy people seek deeper entry into God’s presence. Pursuing this presence into the recesses of the heart--beyond thoughts, feelings and experience--leads to the hidden place where God dwells. There, in the presence of God, the prayerful wait in silence and hope.
The discipline of meditation moves beyond thoughtful reflections on Scripture and the mysteries of faith, and assists in internalizing these reflections. This type of meditation is not an invitation to introspection or to some form of realizing one's personal potential. Rather, it heeds the words of Jesus, "the Kingdom of God is within you," and presents a path into that Kingdom. A single, short prayer-word-- a "mantra"—is used to facilitate seeking the infinite fullness that is God. Physical stillness and silence set the stage for experiencing the tranquility of God within.
Praying with Icons
Most people were instructed to close their eyes when praying. The venerable practice of praying with icons is done with eyes open, taking into the heart what visual images convey. The focus is not on what is seen in the icon, but rather what is seen through it – God’s love, expressed through His creatures.
This is prayer without words, focusing on being, rather than performing, in God's presence. It is a right-brain experience of touching and feeling what is holy -- a divine mystery. Icons are not simply art, but avenues to contemplative prayer, and therefore one way to let the Divine speak to us. They are doorways to heaven, to the heart, to stillness and to intimacy with God. Remaining with them long enough can introduce the soul at prayer into the stillness, into the union. Listening to them closely enough, with the heart, can lead to discernment of God’s own voice.
Spiritual Listening – An Experiment in Prayer
How does God, through scripture, speak to the heart? Spiritual listening is a way to listen to and ponder sacred scripture by dialoging with God through journaling. As the spirit of the scriptural Word discloses itself to the individual, the recording of written impressions preserves what has been discovered during encounters with divine revelation.
Monastic Community Prayer - Liturgy of the Hours
Praying the Psalms as a community, the Benedictine Sisters bring their lives into conversation with the Word of God. This continuous dialogue of praise, thanksgiving and lamentation turns hearts to the needs of the all humanity and challenges all to become the Word heard in prayer.
Everyone is welcome--those who participated in the spring 2007 program as well as those who did not. Please bring materials for journaling.
The Mystical Life: An Exploration of the Mystical Tradition in World Religions
Saturday, April 26, 2008, 8:30 am-3:00 pm
Registration is requested by April 17--after that, please call for space availability.
Presented by Beth Hampton and others.
The sense of Oneness with the Holy is the hallmark of mysticism. This unity both underlies and transcends all faith paths. During this event, representatives of the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian faiths will share the mystical path from the perspective of their traditions. They will provide opportunities for us to experience both the unique and universal aspects of the mystical life as they know it.
Tuition, per session, payable in advance: $50 (includes lunch).
Books and resources appropriate to the topics will be available for sale at both events.
Registration Information
Registration Form
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