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August 2022 Newsletter

Dear Fellow Mystics,

We are pleased to share this summary to the answers that emerged from our July 16th program With Merton and Keating’s Roadmap, Where Do We Go from Here?”  Our wisdom panel of Ed Bacon, Vernon Dixon, Victor Kramer, and David Rensberger shared their perspectives and Paul Reeves complemented their discussion with his original musical compositions “Last Man Standing” and “Breathe into Who You Already Are.” You can access the video recording here. Some participants commented:

  • "This was an excellent panel with varied backgrounds and points of emphasis. I am not an academic so I tend to gravitate to styles of communication that are conversational. I thought all the participants delivered their points comfortably for me. Well done, all."

  • "I am so grateful to have attended and be able to hear the wisdom of the speakers. This workshop appeared at a time in my life where I needed to hear what was being taught. The spirit did indeed lead me to register for this event."

  • "I've been involved with contemplative prayer since the early eighties, and it is only now that I REALLY see the urgency of the practice for the healing, and thus--literally--the future of the world, and our country especially."

  • "I like the different approaches to the topic. Well done."

We’d love to hear what you think, what you want to know more about, and how we can support your Centering Prayer practice. Please email us your feedback here when you can. Thanks in advance.

May our united Centering Prayer moments spread peace and love through one Spirit, as members of one Whole, combined of all races, cultures, languages, and traditions.

Love draws us closer,
Maggie
Day 868 from my Two Thomases Hermitage.
Please know that we deeply appreciate your donations in any amount to our chapter of Contemplative Outreach Limited. It helps us to continue providing resources and support for you. You can donate on our website here.

COA Upcoming Events

We Gather Together - Divine Feminine Big Sit
Sat, Aug 20th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Discover God's feminine side during this inspiring Big Sit! Join us for a morning of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Taize' chant. Our reflections will be drawn from Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
Register & More Information

Body Presence & Contemplative Awareness BioSpiritual Focusing Workshop
Sat, Sep 10th 9:30 AM - 2:15 PM ET

Mike Smoolca leads us in discovery of a deeper awareness of healing and wisdom accessible to each of us through our bodies. We'll establish BioSpiritual Focusing’s place in Body Awareness Practice and participants will experimentally be introduced to focusing concepts including a demonstration and discussion of Focusing.
Register & More Information

Intensive/Post-Intensive Five-Day Two-Track Retreat

4:00 PM Wednesday, Oct 12th - Noon Sunday, Oct 16th ET
This retreat is held on Zoom

Our annual Fall retreat is back! You have two track options from which to choose:

  • The Intensive Track will review Thomas Keating’s Human Condition series,
  • The Post-Intensive Track will review David Frenette’s Wisdom.

Each full day includes three one-hour Centering Prayer sessions with meditative walks and one Lectio Divina experience.
Facilitated by Maggie Winfrey and Vernon Dixon.Requested retreat fee is $25.00

Register & More Information

We need volunteers to help Contemplative Outreach Atlanta grow! We welcome our involvement on a one-time activity, such as helping plan or participate in a Big Sit, or on an ongoing basis for things like Zoom/ website support, event management, or helping post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Please contact us here if you would like to explore options or for more information.

Where Do We Go from Here: Insights from Our Wisdom Panel With Merton and Keating’s Roadmap

By Maggie Winfrey

Last July 16th Our wisdom teachers Ed Bacon, Vernon Dixon, Victor Kramer, and David Rensberger (as pictured above) unveiled their personal perspectives of Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating’s roadmap for our spiritual journey. Paul Reeves complemented their words with his original musical compositions “Last Man Standing” and “Breathe into Who You Already Are.” Their insights revealed common threads collated here.

Today’s Christianity and society are fractured like Thomas Merton’s description of “a body of broken bones” [1]. America’s states are disunited. Christianity no longer dominates the western world of shaping its cultural or moral tone. We can no longer rely on individualistic answers, rituals, or inspired word to heal our society. A deeply felt need for closeness with God in definite personal ways is now emerging.

Only the shaping of authentic true inner human identity can enable people to lift their heads above the catastrophic materialism and greed of the last two centuries to offer them the hope of something real and true. Contemplative prayer is the new way begun in the 20th century moving us beyond by practicing trust in silence, moving to inner experience instead of dogma and behavior constraints...

Read Maggie's full reflection in our Journal


New to Centering Prayer?
Begin here.


Looking for inspiration?
Find resources here.


Need a Centering Prayer group?
Find one here.

Other Events

August 10th: Contemplative Outreach Tampa Bay hosts monthly Julian Meetings on Zoom. Session includes a 20 minute Centering Prayer session, a Lectio reading from Julian with sharing. Information here.

August 23rd: 1:00 pm - 5 pm ET Center for Action and Contemplation hosts on Zoom The Future of Christianity, A Virtual Summit with Brian McLaren, Barbara Holmes, James Finley, and Richard Rohr. Information and registration here.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers Zoom Retreats:

  •  August 13 -The Power of Prayer - Two Sessions: 9:30 AM & 1:30 PM with Fr. Gerard
  •  August 27 - Sharing Our Faith Journey - Two Sessions: 9:30 AM & 1:30 PM with Rain Ross & Br. Mark
To register please call 770-760-0959, Monday – Friday 8:00-12:00. Suggested donation of $45.00 per retreats. Their complete list of this year's remaining Zoom Retreats is available here.

Sept 12-Oct 3: Center for Christogenesis hosts Ridgeway Addison presenting Panikkar’s Christophany, a new intermediate ongoing course. Info and registration here.

October 22nd 9:30AM - 3:00PM Cathedral of St. Philip presents their 13th Annual Spirituality Conference with Michael Battle. Registration/more info here.

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