By Melanie P. Moore, et al.
Each month, we publish a listing of upcoming contemplative and spiritual opportunities recommended by folks here at The Abbey. Many of us have floundered around in the past looking for community and deep engagement with other pilgrims on the spiritual path. Here we share a curated list of what we are finding, hoping you might find some of it helpful on your journey. We’ve included a Comments section with each listing detailing what we as participants have liked. If you know of something coming up in October or November and would like to have it listed here, please email the information as shown below to editor@theabbey.us by September 22 to be included in the post at the beginning of October. Please note that all times are listed in Central Time.
September
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Hope on the Edge: The “Noosphere” and it’s Potential for Transformation presented by Mary and Martha’s Place
Dates and Times: Thursday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $20
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: What does it mean to be of one mind, one heart and one spirit, and how might this convergence shape our worldview and vision of the future? Drawing from the fields of science, literature, and theology, Dr. DeMoor will help us uncover how the “noosphere,” or planetary mind, is an integral part of our everyday lives. Exploring the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Raimon Panikkar, Ilia Delio, Brian Swimme, David Sloan Wilson, Connie Kaplan, the nature writers, and others, Dr. DeMoor will unpack the story of the noosphere and its potential for transformation, hope and renewal. Join us for this engaging program, where we will explore these and other questions about our deeply relational universe through video, poetry, and more.
Led by Emily A, DeMoor, Ph.D., who holds a Master of Arts in Musicology degree, a Master of Pastoral Studies degree with a focus in Religion and Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis on environmental education, thus her work engages the mind, heart and soul. Through her teaching, retreats, publications, and presentations she has reached national and international audiences in the U.S., Brazil, the U.K., Panama, and beyond. Her most current research interest is intersubjectivity and the noosphere. A retired university professor, Emily presently serves as Director of Christophany Groups for the Center for Christogenesis and manages a curriculum development project for the Human Energy organization.
Comments: This is presented by a group in Atlanta, Mary and Martha’s Place, and while we have not had vast experience with them, the events we have participated in have been worthwhile. They don’t often do online programs so this is a unique opportunity to participate from afar.
Art and Prayer: Spiritual Connection Through Collage, Eight-part Series presented by the Oblate School of Theology
Dates and Times: Thursdays, Sept. 5 – Oct. 24, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $185
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 8 Weeks
Format: Online
Recording Available: Portions are recorded: opening prayer, collage period, journaling period, and teaching period. (Participants’ sharing will not be recorded).
Description: This 8-week collage and meditation series is designed for adults from diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds, especially those at a crossroads or feeling a spiritual redirection. It’s perfect for those who have shut down their creativity—whether in writing, poetry, music, art, or other forms—and wish to rekindle it in a safe, open-ended environment.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Collage and Guided Meditation: Create on paper what your inner guidance and creative inspiration reveal.
Emotional Release: Let go of what’s holding you back emotionally, discover your spark, and embrace new ways to be creative.
Community and Connection: Weekly one-on-one sessions with class members to learn about different cultural perspectives and life experiences, along with large group shares to foster connection.
Deepening Practices: Weekly themes, short teachings, journal questions, yoga breath techniques, and sound healing with live instruments or meditative music help you become more embodied and grounded.
Handouts and Writing Prompts: Tina provides handouts with writing prompts to guide your journey each week.
Below are themes that will be explored: (Themes presented are subject to change.)
Session 1—Nature / The Elements / Cycles
Session 2—Body Wisdom: Gut and Goosebumps
Session 3—Blind Spots / Shadow
Session 4—Settling & Soul Serving
Session 5—Boundaries: Speak Truths or Preferences
Session 6—Boundaries: Go Beyond the Walls
Session 7—Let Go of Form / Happy Accidents
Session 8—Sacred Heart
Comments: This seems like an accessible arts and spirituality opportunity for both those experienced in exploring spirituality through art and those new to it. We like that it’s creative and online.
Returning Religion to the Prophetic with Ilia Delio
Dates and Times: Friday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $30
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: As we move into a presidential election in the US, we see the role of religion transformed into a powerful political tool. What happens when religion is emptied out of its primal meaning and becomes replacement therapy for anger, anxiety and existential fear? Teilhard de Chardin had a vision of deep hope, rooted in the dynamic process of religion and evolution. He returns religion to the place of the mystical, the dynamic in-breaking of new being. We will explore a renewed meaning of Teilhard’s vision of religion and evolution in a world that seems to be out of control, and our role in bringing about a more just and unified world.
Comments: Ilia Delio is a talented teacher and unique in her synthesizing of science and spirituality without watering down either; solid scholarship, solid spirituality. We always enjoy and are edified by her presentations. This is presented by her organization, the Center for Christogenesis.
Listening to the Song of the Body with Rev. Mary Earle, presented by the Oblate School of Theology
Dates and Times: Saturday, Sept. 7, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $30
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: As we age, it is not unusual to be told to ‘Listen to your body.’ As a spiritual director, I’ve heard many people living with illness or dealing with chronic issues of aging ask, ‘What in the world does that mean?” One way to reframe all of this is to lean into an ancient Irish perspective: that God sings everything into being, and that we are part of that divine music. Yes, this is a metaphor. And it also helps us to be attuned to the subtle melodies of the body, to know those harmonies. That allows us to be gently aware of when there’s disharmony or even cacophony. Our time together will allow us to ‘listen for the music of what happens,’ as the Irish put it, especially with regard to our bodies. Bring a journal, something to write with. We will practice quiet prayer, reflection and conversation together.
Rev. Mary Earle is an Episcopal Priest, Author, Poet, Retreat Leader and Spiritual Director. Mary offers presentations and retreats in a variety of ecumenical settings. She currently serves as a core faculty member with the Forest Dweller program. She teaches wisdom from the Celtic Christian tradition, using poetry, scripture and insights gleaned from her deep understanding of the mature spirituality of an elder. Until her retirement, she taught classes in spirituality for the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Mary has authored ten books; the subjects include the spirituality of living with illness, rule of life, Celtic Christian spirituality, the Desert Mothers, and Julian of Norwich. Her latest is a book of her poetry, Did You Sing Your Song? She has a chapter in the forthcoming Wisdom from Our Elders due to be released this summer.
Comments: Use what we’ve said about Mary before. We like that it involves the body.
Intimate: The Art and Practice of Working from the Inside Out, Three Sundays Series with David Whyte
Dates and Times: Sundays, Sept. 8, 15, and 22; 8 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $65
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 3 weeks; each session is 1.25 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 1 year
Description: We tend to think of intimacy in terms of physical and imaginative love for a single other, but intimacy is the key to almost all encounters in a human life. Getting close to and understanding things from the inside out is a key, not only to deepening bonds of human affection in relationships or marriage but also to becoming intimate with a work, an art form, a path we need to take but beyond that too, becoming intimate with the natural world and with our own hard-to-find sense of self in that world and most especially, what we desire in each, succeeding, transformative threshold of our lives. Join David Whyte for Three Sundays in September, looking at the way that the necessity for intimacy is the ultimate underlying invitation, in almost every path a human being can take
Comments: While we haven’t participated in one of these events, we have read much of David Whyte’s work and seen videos of his readings which are inspiring. This topic seems especially interesting given what we have experienced of his work.
Gathering Dharma Series – The Eight Realizations: The Path to Liberation for All with Roshi Joan Halifax
Dates and Times: Monthly on Sundays, Noon – 1:30 p.m.; September 15, October 13, November 3, December 22
Registration: Open
Cost: Donation suggested
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: “Gathering Dharma” is about compassion, connection and collective action. It is a time to explore social and environmental engagement and to affirm our vows in a time of great challenge on our earth. During the morning, we will touch into practice, learn together, and open to inquiry.
For each morning program, there will be a Resource Page, and the Zoom video of the morning session will be posted on the Resource Page shortly after the session. We ask that you register for each Sunday you wish to attend, and you will be sent a Zoom link for the gathering and have access to the unique Resource Page. Recordings of the session will be accessible in perpetuity.
Comments: We like Roshi Joan Halifax as well as several of the other leaders who are participating, including Frank Ostaseski and think this series would be a great way to explore compassion, connection, and collective action.
Learning from the Mighty Oaks: A Day with the Trees with Gudjon Bergmann and Dianna Amorde, an Eremos Fall Day Retreat
Dates and Times: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $100 (includes lunch, snacks, and all materials)
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 6 hours/ all day
Format: In person at Five Oak Ranch Retreat Center, 14301 FM 1826, Austin, Texas
Recording Available: N/A
Description: At the close of September, we invite you to step back and rest among the trees. Sit quietly, listen for the wisdom they have to offer, walk the labyrinth, connect with one another, and then rest some more. This is a spacious timeout just for you. With plenty of time for solitary walks, journaling outdoors, rich conversations with like-hearted souls, or exploring the labyrinth, Gudjon and Dianna will offer reflections, poetry inspired by the wisdom of trees, especially the oaks.
Comments: Eremos has a history of offering meaningful in-person retreats in Austin for contemplative seekers and practitioners. This is a wonderful way to experience a convenient, one-day retreat for local Austin contemplatives.
October
We Were Made For These Times: 10 Lessons for Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption, A Book Reflection Series presented by Eremos
Dates and Times: Oct. 2 – 28, Weekly, various groups and times – see schedule here.
Registration: Open
Cost: $50 + book
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 4 90-minutes sessions
Format: Online and In-Person groups available
Recording Available: No
Description: With a challenging presidential election on the horizon and other stressors in the daily news, many are experiencing moments of anxiety about the future or their ability to handle what’s up ahead just beyond their awareness.
Calling on her fifteen years of experience as a Buddhist nun and teacher of mindfulness worldwide, Kaira Jewel Lingo gently guides us through ten lessons to help us navigate these tumultuous times with more grace and peace in her book, We Were Made For These Times.
Each chapter includes a short teaching, a meditation supporting the teaching, a suggested practice for daily life, and a journal exercise—all designed to make these teachings accessible, doable, and immediately useful.
Sessions include time for silence, reflection, and sharing.
Comments: We enjoy the Eremos online offerings and this series–which participants can register for any or all weeks–looks to be a lovely way to explore the topics of moving through change, loss, and disruption. This seems particularly timely for those in the U.S. this fall.
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Theology Beer Camp: Return of the God Pods
Dates and Times: Thursday, Oct. 17, – Saturday, Oct. 19,
Registration: Open
Cost: $214.19 (in person, Denver, CO); $75 Online
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 days
Format: In person and Online
Recording Available: No
Description: Welcome to the ultimate online gathering for theology buffs! If you can’t make it to Denver in real life (irl), you can still get in on the goodness from the comfort of your home. Tickets include a live stream of the main stage for all plenary and main stage breakout sessions followed by a link to all Theology Beer Camp (TBC) recordings.
Main stage speakers and pods you’ll see on the LIVESTREAM:
Plenary Speakers:
- Joerg Rieger
- Brian McLaren
- Ilia Delio
- Diana Butler Bass
- John Thatamanil
- Gary Dorrien
- Catherine Keller
Respondents:
- Jake Errickson
- Pete Enns
- Corey Walker
- Adam Clark
- Tom Oord
GOD PODS represented:
- Tim Whitaker – The New Evangelicals
- Sarah Heath – REVcovery
- Dan Koch – You Have Permission
- Tony Jones + Tripp Fuller + Josh Gilbert – Emerged
- Jared Byas + Pete Enns – The Bible for Normal People
- Josh Patterson – (Re)Thinking Faith
- Sarey Martin Concepcíon – Secret Art Project
- Leah Robinson – Theology on the Rocks
- Damon Garcia – Damon Garcia
Full Livestreamed Pod episodes:
- You Have Permission
- Emerged
- The Bible for Normal People
- The New Evangelicals
Live Music
Flamy Grant
Kevin Max
i.V. King
Comments: We are long-time readers of and listeners to many of these speakers, podcasters, and musicians and have attended conferences where they have been speakers. This looks like a “zesty” event, to use the organizer’s term of choice.
Cynthia Bourgeault – “God ‘n Me: Thomas Keating’s Lifelong Love Affair with God”
Dates and Times: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $100 (in person, Denver, CO); $60 online
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 6 hours
Format: In person and Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 30 days
Description: In her first teaching from her soon-to-be published book, “Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic,” Cynthia will guide us through Thomas’s evolving concept of God, illuminating Keating’s remarkable spiritual development in the final stages of his spiritual journey. Cynthia will be sharing from her perspective as a disciple of Keating’s teachings as well as her personal experiences and close study of his late works. Topics in her talk will include:
- Keating’s increasing engagement with non-dual spiritual practice
- His contributions to interspiritual dialogue
- The evolution of his early teaching on the movement from “false self” to “true self,” to that from “true self” to “no self”
- His final “dark night of the spirit” and passage through death
- New evidence that he never left Christianity but carried it with him to new places
This talk will inspire your own spiritual journey as a modern mystic, at home and at peace in the universe.
Cynthia Bourgeault has studied and taught in a number of Benedictine monasteries in the United States and Canada. An Episcopal priest, she is well known as a retreat and conference leader, teacher of prayer, and writer on the spiritual life. She is the author of a number of books, including Mystical Hope.
Comments: It’s no secret that we are fans of Cynthia Bourgeault’s writing and speaking. This is a presentation excerpted from her forthcoming book on Thomas Keating. The material is fascinating and Bourgeault knew and worked with Keating in Snowmass, CO, and he wrote forewords for some of her books.
Thriving Today with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, presented by Eremos
Dates and Times: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $80 (scholarships available)
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 6.5 hours including lunch; Or Session 1 (Writing for Thriving) 3 hours, 9 a.m. – noon; Session 2 (Poetry for Thriving) 2 hours, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Format: In person at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: Writing down or listening to the words our soul longs to share can help us discern what our unique path to thriving today might be. Join us for an extraordinary day with acclaimed writer and poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and local poets to write or hear the words meant for you.
Session 1: Join poet and writing coach Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer for a morning of inspiration, wisdom about why your writing practice is a gift to help you thrive, and immersion in the craft of writing through writing prompts and more. Whether you dabble at journaling or are a seasoned poet and author, this creative morning is sure to inspire you to cultivate a stronger writing practice and help you move past any writing blocks.
Session 2: Beginning with Rosemerry’s poetry, you’re invited to listen and respond to each poem with the words that resonate with you. Local poets will add their voice to what it means to thrive today. Sacred, silent pauses will be woven throughout to optimally experience and take in each poem offered. Leave nourished by poetic voices and inspired to craft your own path to thriving from the words, ideas, and wisdom shared.
Comments: We always find it interesting to work with and hear poets share their work, especially when their attention is focused on a particular theme, in this case, Thriving. Learning how poets approach their craft and how poetry can influence the ways we move through the world and relate to others can be fascinating.
November
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Ongoing
Contemplative Chant
Dates and Times: Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: Ongoing
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: 30 minutes of contemplative chant from Wisdom Waypoints, with chants led by Susan Latimer and Elizabeth Combs. Chanting is a wonderful practice for bringing both the Moving Center (body, breath, tone) and the Emotional Center (open heart) online. It is a spiritual practice that opens our hearts, nourishes our nervous systems, prepares us for prayer and meditation as a bridge into stillness, and connects us to our innate joy, courage, steadfastness, peace, beauty, truth and goodness. In times of great uncertainty and change, we find chant to be one of the things that most grounds us. These sessions draw chants from Wisdom Schools, various spiritual and religious traditions, sacred texts, old hymns and poetry. Because of the limitations of synching sound on Zoom, all participants are muted except for the one leading. This allows everyone to chant along in their own space. (Great if you are shy about sharing your voice! Fun if you like to try harmonies!)
Comments: Some of us join this contemplative chant weekly and enjoy it very much. We find it a wonderful contemplative practice. Wisdom Waypoints is the wisdom community started by Cynthia Bourgeault, one of our favorite wisdom teachers. Note that this is a small and warm group of regular participants. Therefore, it can be more difficult to participate anonymously.
The Abbey Tuesday Morning Meditation
Dates and Times: Tuesdays at 8 a.m. (Meditation at 8 a.m., optional discussion at 8:30 a.m.)
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: Ongoing
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: A 20-minute sit, followed by a brief reading and discussion.
Comments: Of course we love this meditation group! It’s The Abbey, our own contemplative community.
Word of the Week
Dates and Times: Emails sent on Sundays, meets each Tuesday at 8 a.m. and Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Registration: Sign up for weekly emails here.
Cost: Free annual subscription (with recommended donation of $95/yr)
Frequency: Weekly, per above
Duration: One hour
Format: Zoom – link is sent weekly in the email on Sunday
Recording Available: No
Description: A beautiful email is sent on Sundays with the reading of Lectio Divina that will be done. There is a sit and then the Lectio Divina.
Comments: We like this because it’s a chance to revisit the reading for the week—and they always include beautiful artwork (it’s Lectio and Visio Divina!). We like the sense of community. It’s a pretty stable group and there’s a chance to share. We also like the balance of it—they are very mindful of the time, it’s just an hour. There’s a rhythm of it that we like. We read the emails each week and appreciate having the email in advance to sit with it a little before the group reading. There are also opportunities to interact online with the group during the week. We will note that it can be difficult to find the link for the Zoom in the weekly email; it is also spelled out here—the third bullet has link to the zoom with poorly brown highlighted “Click on this link,” but it also provides the zoom code and passcode in the email.
Wisdom Waypoints Daily Centering Prayer/Meditation
Dates and Times: Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m.; Monday/Wednesday/Sunday 6 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m.
Registration: No registration required, join via website
Cost: Free
Frequency: Daily, per above
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: A collective wisdom pause for “Silence and Stillness.” Wisdom members lead each sit with a brief reading, chant, and meditation/stillness.
Comments: We like this because it is a way to maintain our personal practice alongside others with the degree of anonymity (or not) with which we are each comfortable. Wisdom Waypoints is a part of Cynthia Bourgeault’s network of teaching and practice resources.