The Body: God, Prayer and Presence

Three experiential sessions finding our ground and centre in our bodies to enhance our practice of prayer and presence

Mondays, 7, 14, 21 September 2026

(The three sessions are intended for those with experience of and a regular prayer practice. Each session builds on the last, it is really important to come to all three. Please only sign up if you are sure you can make every one.)

Times: 10 am–1.00 pm


The body itself can be a hermitage when I have embraced it as quite simply the place where I know I shall meet God. - Rowan Williams

This is an experiential course of 3morning sessions. The aim is to ground and centre us in our bodies to enhance our practice of prayer, presence, and spiritual direction.

1. Body and Awareness: getting to know you
2. Being with Discomfort: hurt and kindness
3. Being with Consolation: letting God in

We will work experientially, paying attention to, inquiring into, and praying with the sensations of our bodies. This is an interior practice. Other than a little bit of stretching so we can be comfortable in a prayer posture, we will not be doing yoga or movement or dance.
Working with the body in this way can be life-enhancing and deepen our relationship with God. It can also be difficult and painful at times.
Each session builds on the previous ones. You will be expected to share with others and with the group. There will be practices to do at home between meetings.

The three sessions will be facilitated by Julian Maddock

Julian says - "I am invested in the relationship with God, the body as the place of prayer and presence, and the spiritual tradition that threads through the Cloud of Unknowing and the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. In the words of Monica Furlong, these “have lent purpose and order to a not particularly orderly or exemplary life.”

Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. (Gustav Mahler)

I consider myself to be catholic (from Greek katholikos ‘universal’, from kata ‘in respect of’ + holos ‘whole’) and liberal (I am an LGBTQI+ ally) and find my home in the Christian mystical and apophatic tradition. I'm interested in other traditions, especially Buddhism. I'm currently exploring the darkness of God and how to live in a time of environmental collapse. What is the "fire" of the 2000-year-long Christian tradition we wish to preserve, rekindle, and restore in a time of crisis?
I have 35 years of experience in spiritual direction, training, and supervision. I am a senior trainer on the Ignatian Spirituality Course. I have also tried my hand at teaching chemistry, computer programming, being a verger, and healthcare chaplaincy. I am the proud father of two thoughtful, intelligent, articulate, witty, and caring daughters."