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2014 Holy Island | 2015 Holy Island | 2016 Holy Island |
A week of silence, spiritual reflection and deep engagement with the mystical writings from the Christian contemplative tradition, on beautiful Holy Island, Scotland.
August 6th – 13th 2015
Led by Julienne
McLean, Viv
Stacey, Judy
Barber,
and Rev
Michael Gartland
| ‘The
soul resembles a castle, formed of a single diamond or very transparent
crystal..’ The ancient and sacred location of Holy Island is what the Celtic bards call a ‘thin place’ where spiritual realities are powerfully present. Gathering together in prayer and spiritual friendship on this retreat allows us to be drawn more deeply into the mystery of this beautiful island and a place of sublime stillness and infinite spaciousness. The second half of the last century was one of deepening encounter between spiritual traditions of East and West. In particular, the Christian ‘desert’ tradition of prayer strongly resonates with the Buddhist tradition of meditation, as expressive of deepest reality. Holy Island, as a sanctuary of peace, holiness and radiance has a long history of Christian pilgrimage and has been owned by a Tibetan Buddhist community since 1992. It is, uniquely, a place where ancient spiritual currents of East and West intertwine and flow swiftly and deeply together. Each day we will meet for silent prayer, creative liturgy, lectio divina and spiritual conversation around Christian mystical writings that illuminates the deepest call on our life. We will share selections from the writings on prayer from the Spanish and English mystics, St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Francisco de Osuna and Richard Rolle. Simple and inclusive forms of chant and rite will take us deeper into silent prayer. There will be opportunities for conscious work in the garden and walking meditation that bring us into the radiant stillness of the heart. The Venue Holy Isle, located off the Isle of Arran on the south west coast of Scotland, is officially designated as a UK Sacred site and has a long spiritual history, stretching back to the 6th Century. It is endowed with an ancient healing spring, the hermit cave of a 6th Century Celtic monk, St Molaise, and evidence of a 13th Century Christian monastery. The island was bought by Tibetan Buddhists (Kagyu tradition) in 1992 who run the Centre for World Peace and Health on the north of the Island. Alongside their ongoing retreat and course programme (see www.holyisle.org) their vision is for the Centre to also become a focal point for multifaith work and retreats, as well as being a peaceful refuge from the hectic modern world.
Daily Retreat Schedule
Booking Form The cost for the retreat is £180. To book, please send an email to info@contemplativespirituality.org, with your name, address, phone number and accommodation preference. Could you also send a deposit cheque of £50 made out to the Contemplative Spirituality Network to Flat 20, Christchurch Court, 171 Willesden Lane, London. UK. NW6 7XF. The remaining £130 is due by 30th May, 2015. The cost of the accommodation and full vegetarian board during the retreat (7 days) is £343 for a single room, £259 for sharing a twin room and £203 for sharing a dormitory. This cost is paid directly to the Holy Island Conference Centre at the beginning of the retreat. For all enquires, further information and booking, please
contact Julienne on 020 8 451 5255 or Viv on 01483 771757 or email info@contemplativespirituality.org
The Retreat Leaders Julienne McLean is a psychologist, Jungian analyst and spiritual director. She has had a lifelong involvement in the Christian mystical tradition, and for many years has been teaching, writing and running retreats on Jungian psychology, prayer and Carmelite spirituality. She co-facilitates the contemplative school of the heart programme. She is the author of ‘Towards Mystical Union’ (2003, 2013 St Paul’s), a modern commentary on St Teresa’s book on prayer, ‘The Interior Castle’. She creates, and exhibits, icons in glass.
Viv Stacey is a spiritual director with a background in hospital chaplaincy. She leads quiet days, retreats and formation programmes, offering creative readings of mystical writings and wisdom literature. Her digital art, creative writing, liturgies and videos expresses this tradition in fresh ways. Her work is offered through the contemplative school of the heart, the British Focusing Association and Contemplative Outreach (UK). Judy Barber is an experienced bereavement psychotherapist and has a particular vocation in Christian healing. She has a background in nursing and psychology, and is engaged in the creative practice of painting, writing and glass icons. Rev Michael Gartland is an Anglican priest and transpersonal psychotherapist working mainly in the NHS, leading a multifaith mental health chaplaincy and counselling service in West Yorkshire. He has research and teaching interests in fourteenth century English mysticism and Buddhist psychology. He has extensive experience in leading retreats and of involvement in Buddhist-Christian dialogue.
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