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 November or December and would like to have it listed here, please email the information as shown below to [email protected] by October 18 to be included in the post at the beginning of November. Please note that all times are listed in Central Time.
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.
The Universal Christ: An Online Contemplative Retreat, from Closer Than Breath
Dates and Times: Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $15 suggested, or “pay from the heart” free will offering
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Join Dr. Jana Rentzel as she presents The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr’s groundbreaking explanation of the transformative Christ Mystery – the mystery of Divine Incarnation that can be experienced by all. In this workshop, you will learn eternal truths that will enrich meaning and purpose in your life and deepen your contemplative practice.
Dr. Rentzel is a psychologist, meditation teacher, and trained spiritual director. She has a Master’s degree in PsychoSpiritual Counseling and a PhD in Spiritual Psychology. An avid meditator for nearly 40 years, Jana has trained extensively in Tibetan Buddhist practices and Christian contemplative prayer. She leads online meditation sessions every week and teaches online classes in centering prayer.
Comments: We have enjoyed participating in events when Jana Rentzel is facilitating and we like her as a presenter. The Abbey book group just finished The Universal Christ and we recommend it.
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.
Creating Space for Change: Practical Exercises for Activating Your Nervous System’s Ability to Calm and Heal Itself – from the Center for Contemplative Living
Dates and Times: Monday – Thursday, Oct. 7 – 31, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $50 (Scholarships available)
Frequency: Daily, Monday – Thursday, for 4 weeks
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: These hourly zoom sessions, led by Eric Peter, will provide practical exercises for activating your nervous system’s ability to calm and heal itself. The objective of this class is to learn how to manage the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Daily instruction, Monday through Thursday for 4 weeks, will vary, but will cover:
- Exercises that help calm your nervous system
- Exercises for promoting neutral observation
- Neurogenic tremor techniques
- Centering Prayer
You will learn an innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. The exercises safely activate a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. The exercises are intended to be used as a self-help method that is easily learned, has immediate effects and can be integrated into a simple daily routine to help restore a sense of inner peace and relaxation.
Upon registration, you will receive a message with the Zoom Meeting link.
During October 7-31, 16 Zoom sessions will be offered. You may participate in as many sessions as you want for the $50 fee.
Eric Peter is a practitioner and certified instructor of Trauma Release Exercises. Eric studied directly under Dr. David Berceli Ph.D., and 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 trauma from combat. Along the path of service, he realized that trauma and everyday stress were a natural part of life and that recovery from trauma and stress was just as natural and included 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.
Comments: This looks like an interesting offering that combines physicality and spirituality. We are not familiar with this presenter but we find The Center for Contemplative Living/Colorado Contemplative Outreach to be a reliable source for programming.
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.; 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.
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.
Gifts of the Underworld: Journey of Descent, with Christine Valters Paintner
Dates and Times: Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $60
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: So much of our religious and spiritual language centers on images of sacred light and ascent. But without the pathway of holy darkness and descent we bypass essential aspects of our deepening journey toward greater wisdom. Our spirituality becomes shallow and brittle.
In mythic traditions the archetype of the underworld journey is a time of powerful initiation that calls us to make a conscious descent in those seasons of our lives when loss or uncertainty arrive and engulf us with grief or unknowing.
We all have seasons in our lives where we feel as though we have been abducted into the Underworld. It is a very disorienting time as we suddenly are without our usual bearings or securities. But the more we resist, the longer these seasons become intractable. We feel more stuck, more listless, more overwhelmed.
This stripping away calls us to consciousness, to make the journey without numbing or distracting ourselves. When we are able to offer ourselves this grace, and release our need for certainty, we are slowly transformed.
This will be a time of teaching, reflection, creative expression, and meditation. We will consider mythic images of Inanna from Sumerian myth and Persephone from Greek myth, alongside Our Lady of the Underworld and the Christian mystical path of the dark night of the soul. Together we will reclaim holy darkness and learn to embrace journeys of descent in service of the new life that arises from this fertile ground.
Comments: We have enjoyed programs from Christine Valters Paintner and the Abbey of the Arts. This particular presentation seems apt as we head into winter, which can be an opportunity to embrace the dark.
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.
A Matter of Life and Death: The Everyday Art of Saying Hello or Saying Goodbye, with David Whyte
Dates and Times: Sundays, Nov. 10, 17, 24, Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $65
Frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks
Duration: 1.25 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: According to David Whyte, “A Matter of Life and Death is a title that allows me the excuse to work with all the things that are so important to us, but that often lie beneath the immobility of our every day habits and little addictions, waiting to be touched, brought to life and then brought out into a waiting world. One of the most difficult gifts a human being can give themselves is the self-permission to pursue a life they have intuited might be possible for themselves, but where they have not dared to grant themselves a real beginning.”
Join David Whyte for Three Sundays in November to look at the way we can practice that every day art and find a way into a future we might have only secretly desired.
Comments: We like David Whyte’s work and this series, in addition to being moderately priced, seems like a terrific opportunity for self reflection and exploration.
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.
The Abbey Spiritual Discussion Group
Dates and Times: Thursdays, 5 p.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: This group reads books to deepen our spiritual lives and to build community among participants. We are currently reading The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr. Newcomers are welcome to join the group anytime. Register below and we will send you a Zoom link.
Comments: The group is starting a new book this month (October), Barbara Brown Taylor’s An Altar in the World. We enjoy this group and the lively discussion both in small-group breakout rooms and with the whole group.
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.