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 March or April and would like to have it listed here, please email the information as shown below to editor@theabbey.us by March 20 to be included in the post at the beginning of April. Please note that all times are listed in Central Time.
March
The Way Between Fight and Flight: Choosing the Revolutionary Third Way
Dates and Times: Saturday, March 2; 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Suggested $15—or, pay-from-the-heart: free-will offering
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: An online contemplative mini-retreat. An intentional and consistent Centering Prayer practice can give us the space we need in our mind and in our heart to resist our ego’s fight or flight overreactions, and make room for the indwelling presence of God’s grace to facilitate a creative and loving choice that is between fight and flight — a revolutionary third way of being.
During this Contemplative Day, we will explore —
- Aligning our inner and outer lives — “on-the-mat” and “off-the-mat”
- The new brain science of fight/flight stress reactions
- Wisdom tradition & Jesus’ teachings on living between fight and flight
- How Centering Prayer equips us to choose a third way
Presented by Caroline Oakes, author of the newly-released book Practice the Pause, is a writer and spiritual director whose essays have been published at the On Being Project, the Huffington Post, and in her bimonthly “Mind & Spirit” column. She received her master’s degree from General Theological Episcopal Seminary and has been trained in teaching contemplative practice and meditation by Shalem Institute and Mindful Schools.Comments: We’ve enjoyed our participation in offerings from Closer than Breath and enjoyed one that was specifically led by Caroline Oakes. This topic seems particularly timely.
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, March. 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.
40th Annual United in Prayer Day
Dates and Times: Friday – Saturday, March 8 – 9
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: Ongoing for 24 hours, tune in any time
Format: Online
Recording Available: N/A
Description: This is an online; 24-hour vigil around the globe. You can join in silence and community at any time and as many times as you are able. Each hour will include at least 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, followed by an offering from the hosting group, which may include a video segment, the practice of Lectio Divina, selected readings, community sharing, chanting, etc.. This is an annual event usually held around Father Thomas Keating’s March 7 birthday as an homage to his work.
Comments: We like this because some of us have participated before—in person before the pandemic where separate centering groups could gather—and since the pandemic via Zoom. We find it meaningful because it is literally global. Different chapters host different hours. We’ve been really touched by what the different chapters choose to do. There is always a sit but the creativity and affirmation of the connectedness across space and time is very meaningful.
Thursday Afternoon Gurdjieff Exercise Circle with Heather Ruce
Dates and Times: Thursdays on February 22, 29, March 7, 21, and April 4, 11, and 18. A total of 7 times. from 2:00pm-3:00pm Pacific Time
Registration: Might still be open, send email to support[at]heatherruce.com
Cost: $35 – $140 (pick what works for you)
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 7 weeks
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: This circle will be focusing on the book Mystical Courage by Cynthia Bourgeault. Our circle will begin by spending a few minutes gathering our hearts together quietly in some Gurdjieff & DeHartmann music. There will be time to work with a Gurdjieff Exercise from the book and a brief time of sharing our observations from our work with them.Comments:Heather Ruce is a gifted and experienced teacher of both Gurdjieff exercises and movements. We’ve found her to be a patient and clear teacher which makes all the difference in a group like this. While Gurdjieff is esoteric, Ruce makes it accessible to students who are eager to learn more. This is based on the exercises in Cynthia Bourgeault’s book Mystical Courage.
The Dance of Conflict Transformation
Dates and Times: Friday, March 15; 10 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $35 (variable pricing available)
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Conflict is natural. Birds, elk, fish in the sea, and people experience the growing pains of conflict. And the respite of sweet reconciliation makes space for greater understanding. The ebb and flow between conflict and reconciliation is the growing edge of transformation we experience as individuals and communities. Conflict transformation can be a delicate dance that places us in-step and out-of step with those who oppose us and, at times, with those who align with us. “Transformation” rather than “management” or “resolution” signifies our movement through this dance.
In this retreat, explore the components of conflict in our daily lives as illuminated by the lives of mystics and saints. We will examine personal and communal aspects of conflict transformation as we observe how our desert elders and Celtic saints moved through opposition.
Join Dr. Dena Jennings on this journey and virtual stroll through the trails, labyrinths, and sites of the farmashramonastery stewarded by the Jennings family. Come dance and sing the mysteries of conflict transformation and reconciliation.
Comments: We’ve enjoyed offerings from Abbey of the Arts and this looks like an interesting and timely topic. We especially like the practice-based, embodied components of this as well as the intentional connection to the natural world.
Introduction to the Forgiveness Prayer
Dates and Times: Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $20 (scholarships available)
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 3 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to forgive? The Prayer of Forgiveness is a powerful prayer that can help you forgive at the deepest level of your being. During this class, you will receive instruction on this prayer, developed by Contemplative Outreach founding member Mary Mrozowski. You will also have an opportunity for Centering Prayer as well as practice of the Prayer of Forgiveness.
Comments: Offered by Contemplative Outreach Colorado, this is led by Mary Mrozowski who we’ve found to be a wonderful and insightful leader. This looks like it might take the form of a guided meditation–allowing participants to be led in the practice with some repetition, the opportunity to start small and move toward more tender or complex meditation in a gentle progression, and to be supported through the process.
Contemplative Prayer and African Christian Mysticism with Michael Battle
Dates and Times: Saturday, March 23; 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Part of the Contemplative Outreach Colorado Spring Conference)
Registration: Open
Cost: $60 Online, $100 In person
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 6 hours
Format: Online and In Person
Recording Available: All registrants will receive a copy of the Zoom recording link for a period of 30 days. This recording will be available within 2 weeks of the event. A professionally edited audio or video recording will be available for permanent purchase from Broadlands Media beginning May 1, 2024. More information will be provided when available.
Description: The essence of African Christian mysticism (founded in the desert tradition of monasticism) is not taught but caught. Such mysticism is a whole way of life. It is not an esoteric doctrine or a predetermined plan of ascetic practice. It is important to understand this, because there really is no way of talking about the way of prayer, or the spiritual teaching of God’s life. African Christian mystics did not try to systematize the way to God; instead, they relied upon the experience of a lifetime of striving to redirect every aspect of body, mind, and soul to God. There was no Protestant or Catholic dichotomy of salvation based upon grace or work because salvation was caught up in how the community is so much more than the sum of individuals striving for heaven. And yet, personal prayer and personal salvation could be better understood through interpersonal prayer and interpersonal salvation. This is summed up today through the contemporary lens of African Christian mysticism known as Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me. In short, African contemplative prayer is not only an activity undertaken each day, but also a life continually turned towards God.
This is a hybrid presentation being conducted both in person at The Center for Contemplative Living in Denver, CO, and Online via Zoom video conference. Breakfast snacks and a light lunch will be provided for in-person participants.
Comments: We’ve been wanting to hear Michael Battle’s take on the Ubuntu experience of African Christian Mysticism. We always enjoy his presentations and we are interested in learning more about Ubuntu.
Lent with the Mystics
Dates and Times: Wednesday, Feb. 14 – Wednesday, March 27; asynchronous – emails, online practice circle, and March 24 live Zoom with Carl McColman
Registration: Subscriptions to this e-course still available via link in the title, above
Cost: $79.95
Frequency: Intermittent over 6 weeks
Duration: 6 weeks
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: This course is designed to encourage a contemplative approach to the spiritual themes of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to the middle of Holy Week. Although grounded in the Christian mystical tradition, the themes and practices presented here are universal in nature and appropriate for sincere seekers of any tradition or no tradition.
Carl McColman is profiled in Spirituality & Practice’s Living Spiritual Teachers Project and has previously led four other e-courses here. Carl McColman is a layperson under formal spiritual guidance of Cistercian monks, affiliated with the Trappist Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia. He has written books on Celtic Spirituality and most recently published The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism. His work is characterized by an optimistic, expansive understanding of spirituality, rooted in Christianity while embracing the wisdom of the world’s contemplative traditions.
Join us to explore silence, service, and serenity during the sacred season of Lent. (6 CEHs for chaplains available.)
Comments: We’ve read some of McColman’s books on mysticism and like them very much. This would be a great introduction to the mystics as well as a way for those familiar with the mystics to travel through Lent with the mystics and a trusted guide.
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.; March 17, April 28, May 19, June 23, July 7, August 18, 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.
Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
Dates and Times: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Open (registration closes March 17 at 3 p.m.)
Cost: $35
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 5 hours
Format: In person at The “T” House, 12140 Tunnel Trail, Manchaca, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: Centering Prayer is a silent meditation method that is similar to mindfulness meditation. However, this meditation practice dives deeper and fosters a deepening relationship with the Divine within us. The workshop registration fee of $35 includes a copy of Thomas Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart (the comprehensive guide to Centering Prayer) as well as light snacks and drinks.
Comments: We’ve participated in Centering Prayer retreats with Metanoia before and found that experience to be meaningful. The setting is peaceful at the T House, right along Onion Creek where there are paths to walk, and has added to the enrichment of the experience for us.
April
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, April. 7, 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.
The Voice of the Feminine Mini-retreat series
Dates and Times: April 13-14 and 27-28; May 18-19
Registration: Open – register for each event separately
Cost: Saturday portion: $65 ea. (Online), $80 ea. (In-Person); Sunday portion: Free
Frequency: 2 events in each month: April, May
Duration: Saturday portions: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sunday portions: 1 hour at 8:30 a.m.
Format: Online and In-person
Recording Available: No
Description: The program was introduced on Feb. 1 by Rabbi Shira Stutman who spoke about “Gender and the Divine – He/She/It/Them/They?” This was followed on Feb. 17 with Cynthia Bourgeault. The series continues April 13 with Ilia Delio, April 27 with Heathery Vesey, and May 18 with Susan Aposhyan. Click here for more details.
Comments: This is presented by Aspen Chapel and is a new format, “mini-retreat” where participants can join one or all of the sessions. It is offered in-person and online. We are particularly intrigued by the ecumenical nature of the programming. We really enjoyed the Cynthia Bourgeault presentation on Feb. 17.
Evening of Remembrance
Dates and Times: Sunday, April 21; 6p.m. – 7 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1 hour
Format: In person at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Rd., Austin, TX 78756
Recording Available: N/A
Description: Presented by the Austin Center for Grief and Loss. Please join us for our annual Evening of Remembrance ceremony to honor our loved ones who will forever live in our hearts. Through music, poetry, ritual, and contemplation, our interfaith service celebrates the memory of those we love and have lost. Remembrance Ceremony activities and child care will be available for younger children during the ceremony.
Please bring a small picture or memento of your loved one(s) for our candlelight ceremony.
Comments: We’ve never attended this but know people who participated when it was known as The Healing Place. We think this is a nice opportunity for remembrance.
May
Everything is Sacred with John Phillip Newell
Dates and Times: May 15, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $20 per person (Wednesday night), $50 per person (Thursday morning), or $60 for both.
Frequency: One-time events
Duration: 2 hours (Wednesday night), 3.5 hours (Thursday)
Format: In-person or Live Stream
Recording Available: No
Description: How This and Other Celtic Truths Can Help Us Heal the Planet and Connect Soul to Soul. In describing John Philip Newell’s latest book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World, his publisher makes a bold claim: “The hidden tradition of Celtic spirituality can help us renew our faith, heal the earth, overcome our conflict, and reconnect with ourselves.” What if this is true? What if hearing directly from one of the leading voices of Celtic spirituality today could transform your relationship with the earth, yourself, and others? Come be inspired to live, work, and connect from a place deep within that recognizes one of the key underlying principles of Celtic wisdom: everything and everyone is sacred.
Wednesday night: presentation and book signing.
Thursday morning: Building on the theme Everything is Sacred, John Philip Newell will share the Celtic Wisdom that can direct our effort toward a healthier planet and reawakened soul and Cami Twilling, Director of Earth & Soul, will invite participants into a soul-nourishing spiritual practice.
Comments: We like John Philip Newell’s work and this is a great opportunity to see him in person in Austin. The event on Wednesday night looks like more of a presentation followed by a book signing, and the Thursday morning portion provides a chance to step through a spiritual practice. This is being presented by several local churches in Austin and will likely be very well attended.
“You You You: the address of poetry” – A Craft Talk with Pádraig Ó Tuama
Dates and Times: Friday, May 17; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $35
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: A poem is a word-event going in many directions at once. Sometimes the “you” of a poem is a specific person, at other times it’s the poet, or a general audience, and at times there’s no you at all so the poem addresses itself to the world.
Join Pádraig Ó Tuama virtually for this special Craft Talk, a part of the 2024 Camden Festival of Poetry.
Pádraig presents “Poetry Unbound” from On Being Studios, and lectures and speaks widely internationally. His recent publications include Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World (Norton, 2022) and Feed the Beast (Broken Sleep Books, 2022). Kitchen Hymns is forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press in late 2024.
Comments: We love Pádraig Ó Tuama from hearing him on “Poetry Unbound.” This is a craft talk, but not limited to poets and writers. Anyone who reads poetry may enjoy hearing more about the craft from one of today’s most loved poets.
July
Wild Goose Festival
Dates and Times: Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14, 2024
Registration: Open (as a reader of Practicing Presence, use the code ABBEY at checkout to save 20%.
Cost: Winter Special $269 (ends March 19); Spring Special $299 (ends June 20)
Frequency: Annual event
Duration: 4 days
Format: In person, VanHoy Farms, Union Grove, NC
Recording Available: N/A
Description: Wild Goose Festival is a transformational community grounded in faith-inspired social justice. At our nationwide festival, we learn and grow by co-creating art, music, story, theater, and spectacle, engaging in a wide variety of robust, courageous conversations with each other and with thought leaders and artists from other communities. We are welcoming and hospitable to people of all faiths – or no faith – who join us in seeking the common good. We fully affirm and celebrate people of every age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual identity, education, bodily condition, religious affiliation, and economic background, particularly those who are most often marginalized. We are rooted in progressive Christianity. For us this means moving beyond belief to center ourselves in justice and compassion, to walk toward those in need and to solidarity with the marginalized and the oppressed, acknowledging our own privilege and actively working to use our power to alleviate suffering and achieve wholeness.
Comments: We look forward to attending and have heard wonderful and affirming things about this festival. For example, in 2022, Diana Butler Bass’s sermon at the festival went viral as she shared Elizabeth Schrader Polczer’s groundbreaking work on Mary Magdalene. This year promises to be another rich experience of speakers, musicians, co-creators, and personal transformation for those who attend.
Contemplation and Care for Creation Certificate Program
Dates and Times: Starts in June 2024 and runs to May of 2025
Registration: Open – Deadline to apply is May 1
Cost: $1,300 with $500 deposit due with application
Frequency: Bi-monthly (see details here)
Duration: 11 months
Format: Zoom with 2 in-person retreats
Recording Available: N/A
Description: This is a year-long ecumenical program that shares the theology and spirituality of creation care. Learn to encounter the sacred in nature, interpret that experience, and reflect on its implications for your own life, your church, and society. Immerse yourself in the contemplation of nature in company with other participants, based on classical monastic spiritual formation. Study the integral relation of creation to the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. Create a rule of life for yourself based on a right relationship with God and the glorious elements of God’s world.
Comments: We are familiar with the leaders of the Center for Deep Green Faith and have found them to be very compelling in presentations we’ve seen. They are well-informed environmentally and theologically.
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 and Book Discussion: Leaving Church
Dates and Times: Tuesdays at 8 a.m. (Meditation at 8 a.m., optional book 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 discussion of Barbara Brown Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark.
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.