Establishing Peace in Ourselves | Becoming Peace in the World (one day meditation retreat)

“If our thoughts are kind, peaceful and quiet, turned only towards the good, then we influence ourselves and radiate peace all around us – in our family, the whole country, everywhere. We create harmony: divine harmony, peace and quiet spread everywhere.”  Elder Thaddeus

We are faced with so much that makes peace seem almost impossible to imagine.

Conflict is increasing across the world. There is a great sense of distance between ourselves and the 'other’. Our planet is on the brink of irreversible ecological disaster. We are more stressed, distracted and fearful than ever.

These global crises are also global symptoms - symptoms of our alienation from our true nature, from the silent land of Peace within us, from our common home in God.

As a direct, practical response to circumstances that call for greater peace, each of us can commit to the quiet, steady, work of establishing greater peace in ourselves. This is perhaps the most important thing we can do. Everyone around us will benefit.

But how can we do this?

At the heart of Christianity is an ancient form of meditation that can change a person and change the world. Yet, few people know about this ancient, simple and transformative way of silent prayer.

Schedule

In this experiential gathering, we’ll explore meditation in the Christian tradition as a pathway to peace, community and oneness.

The retreat will be held in the beautiful Christ Church– a warm, welcoming and light-filled oasis in London that is easily accessible by all forms of public transport.

Through a flow of short talks, meditation practice and conversation we’ll look at how:

• our noisy, distracted minds create the illusion that we are separate from God, each other and the world
• meditation can help us overcome this illusion and cultivate a more compassionate life, rooted in awareness of the oneness of being
• as we are restored to ourselves, we are restored to each other
• each of us can be places of peace in the world.

Ultimately, meditation is not about technique, but about relationship. We come to see that we are not separate from each other or any part of creation, but one in God’s Oneness.

The realisation of oneness is the deepest foundation of peace within us and the foundation of peace between us. It is the deepest basis for compassion and justice, for our care of each other and of our precious world. “When it is truly seen,” wrote Julian of Norwich, “no person can separate themselves from another.”

Event Leader

Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. The charity’s vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world.

Chris was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey. His’ monastic teachers, including Sylvester Houedard OSB, taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamsala, India. Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced meditation from the Christian wisdom tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad.

Words from Rev’d Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

“I am delighted that there is a concrete opportunity for developing this new initiative in seeking to open doors into Christian wisdom for those who may have little previous awareness of its resources.  This will be a chance for Christians of all traditions to discover new openings for growth in contemplative maturity.”

Words from Martin Laird OSA, Author of Into the Silent Land

“The School of Contemplative Life will surely rate among the most significant responses to the spiritual longings of the people of this nation and abroad through its well thought out programme of retreats, guidance and other opportunities to assist the Christian community to the wellspring of silence and compassion flowing within.”

Words from past participants

"I thought the workshop was exceptional! I cannot begin to describe the clarity and energy I have felt since the session."

"I just wanted to profoundly thank you for the incredible, enlightening and peaceful workshop. The aura of wisdom, calmness and hope you exude and project through your words and teachings were very exciting and inspirational."

Price and pricing policy

Tickets cost £35. Please note that all our paid-for events are priced to simply cover costs (rather than make a profit) so they are as accessible as possible. However, we realise that even the most reasonably priced ticket can be difficult sometimes, so we invite people to get in touch if this is the case.

Terms

Please refer to our website for the terms and conditions associated with this event. If you need to cancel for whatever reason after booking, please get in touch with us as soon as possible and we will try to find a solution. In the event that we cannot fill your place, the cost may not be refundable.

For information about the School of Contemplative Life, please visit our website: www.schoolofcontemplativelife.com