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The present-day concept of reality is best expressed in the idea of relationship and networking. We are all interconnected and interdependent. Everything in the universe needs everything else. We are all part of the whole. This may be a challenge to our concept of self-sufficiency and personal achievement - what Americans call 'bowling alone', doing your own thing. Yet the greater need is for communication and openness: the need to listen and to enter into dialogue without agenda. Here, the symbol is not the 'Cartesian wheel', made up of independent parts and separate functions, but the 'luminous web', as it has been called: a radiation of light and energy coming from within the whole, in which everything is connected and interrelated…today the search is for a world of both/and: one that can hold a balance of opposites, embrace paradox and be comfortable with differences.
Father Eugene McCaffrey OCD
Tabor Carmelite Retreat Centre
Silent Prayer Groups
The Contemplative Society is an inclusive non-profit association that encourages a deepening of contemplative prayer based in the Christian Wisdom tradition while also welcoming and being supportive of other meditation traditions. We are based in Victoria, BC, Canada and serve a global audience. We offer local retreats, wisdom schools, and workshops led by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault and other teachers of the Christian contemplative path.
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Contemplative Outreach |
Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to renewing the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life through the daily practice of centering prayer, as taught by Abbot Thomas Keating. It is a worldwide movement, with many groups in Britain.
Local contacts: www.contemplativeoutreach.org.uk
for the East and South East of England,
www.couk.org.uk for the North of England.
Learning materials available from
www.contemplativeoutreach.org
The World Community for Christian Meditation is inspired by the teaching of John Main OSB who recovered the contemplative prayer as taught by the Desert tradition. Now in over 100 countries with many groups in the UK, people meet to practise this "prayer of the heart."
Meditatio is the outreach of The World Community for Christian Meditation. The Meditatio Centre in London offers a variety of groups, courses and seminars with meditation at the heart of all its outreach.
The Julian meetings aim to foster the teaching and practice of contemplative prayer within the Christian Tradition and encourage the practice of contemplative prayer in daily life. Groups are ecumenical and meet weekly, fortnightly or monthly, providing support through fellowship.
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Father Bede Griffiths, who died in 1993, was one of the great spiritual leaders of the 20th century. The Bede Griffiths Sangha (the Sanskrit word for community), established in 1994, is an informal network of people who have been touched and inspired by his life and teachings. It seeks to share and continue his vision through meditation, prayer and active debate.
www.retreats.org.uk/leaflets/leaflt20.htm
This link will connect you to a leaflet listing many of the different silent prayer groups around Britain published by the Retreat Association.
Buddhist Christian Vedanta Network www.buddhist-christian.org |
A network for those interested in exploring the contemplative teachings of these traditions and the interface between them.
A centre for the study of monastic culture and spirituality.
Retreats
United Kingdom
Discalced Carmelites
www.carmelite.org.uk
The Discalced Carmelite Family is a religious Order in the Roman Catholic Church who trace their roots back to the ancient hermits on Mount Carmel, Israel, in the thirteenth century. Their way of life was reinterpreted in the sixteenth century by St Teresa of Jesus with the help of St John of the Cross and includes friars, nuns and lay people in all walks of life.
Tabor is a small ecumenical retreat house in the northwest of England and home to a community of Carmelite friars. Tabor offers a programme of retreats and courses on prayer, spirituality, personal development and pathways to the heart as well as spiritual accompaniment and healing ministries.
CHRISTIAN
RETREAT
www.christian-retreat.org
The House of Prayer is run by the Sisters of the Christian retreat and is located near Hampton Court, on the Surrey/Middlesex borders.They offer a programme of organised retreats, workshops and prayer groups, as well as being available for private retreats, church and parish groups and individual day retreats.
The Retreat Association provides an information resource for those involved in retreat work (both in Retreat Houses and the local community) and spiritual direction. Increasingly the Association is providing resources for those inquirers who are seeking to further their spiritual journey but are not part of the established church.
Spain
The International Teresian-Sanjuanista of Avila Centre
www.citesavila.org
The International Teresian-Sanjuanista of Avila Centre is an educational institution dedicated to promote the systematic study of the writings and spiritual doctrine of St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross. Its headquarters is in St Teresa’s native home of Avila, Spain, and their new purpose-built building has recently opened.
Prayer Resources
Websites
Offers daily prayer and music for downloading to MP3 players.
The website of the Irish Jesuits, which includes a daily prayer and meditation.
Shalem Institute - providing in-depth support for contemplative living and leadership - a way of being in the world that is prayerfully attentive and responsive to God's presence and guidance - through enrichment programs, events and resources.
Literature
The Centre for Action and Contemplation, founded by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr, is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a training/formation centre that serves as a place of discernment and growth for activists and those interested in social service ministries - learning how to integrate a contemplative lifestyle and compassionate service. There is an excellent online resource section and a daily meditation available by email.
www.carmelite.org.uk/Books.html
The Carmelite book service is a worldwide mail order service providing all books in print on Carmelite Spirituality, as well as the Christian classics, books on the English spiritual tradition, Celtic spirituality, Eastern spirituality as well as Contemporary Spirituality.
Alba House Publications
www.albahouse.org/bksprysp.htm
This is the complete list of books available on prayer, spirituality and meditation published by the Society of St Paul.
David
Torkington Publications
www.davidtorkington.com
David Torkington is a freelance Catholic journalist, author and speaker, who writes and lectures about prayer and Christian spirituality, specialising in Mystical Theology and Franciscan spirituality. His publications include The Trilogy on Prayer, The Hermit, The Prophet and The Mystic, Inner Life, A New Beginning, and Dear Susanna, How to Pray and Wisdom from the Western Isles - the Making of a Mystic.
Inner
Explorations
www.innerexplorations.com
This large website explores the interface between Christian mysticism/theology/metaphysics and Eastern religions, Jungian psychology and a new sense of the earth.
Talks
This is a series of talks at London's Westminster Cathedral Hall on silent prayer and contemplative living in the modern world. Each meeting is led by someone committed to the contemplative life, and will include one or more talks and a period devoted to silent prayer.
