Resting in God Weekend Retreat

Event description

In returning and rest, in quietness and trust, God draws us to the silent depths of who we are in him (Isaiah 30:15)

The essence of prayer is radically simple. As prayer deepens, it becomes less and less a matter of what we think about, what we do, and increasingly a matter of simply being, of resting within what God is doing.

But it can be difficult for us to release ourselves into its welcoming simplicity.

With help from the teachings of Julian of Norwich, Martin Laird and others, we will explore the path of interior surrender, of releasing into and resting in God through our deepening stillness and shared silence.

“Prayer is not content to stay up in the branches of our minds with all the other things we think about,” writes Martin Laird OSA, “it works its way down through the branches and trunk, into our roots where it is one with the Ground of all.”

The central focus of this experiential retreat will be silent meditation practice. We will consider such things as the subtle challenges we meet in something so simple as being still, the interior skills that develop as our practice develops, and how silence and self-forgetfulness help us to become places of peace in the world.

Surrendering our resistances, letting go of all that gives rise to the sense of separateness, we come into the open pastures of belonging where we are one with each other and all creation in the oneness of God. “When it is truly seen,” says Julian, “no person can separate themselves from another.”

In the stillness of prayer, we discover that the One we seek has never been elsewhere — only waiting to be known in the depth of our heart.

Who is this for?

The retreat has been carefully crafted to be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith, beliefs or previous experience of meditation.

What to expect

Being on retreat is a precious opportunity to be still and to be silent — to step back from conversation and distraction, and to practice living simply and peacefully. It allows us to cultivate the gift of peaceful awareness as we devote ourselves more fully to the depth-dimension of faith and life.

The core focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice.

• We will practice bringing peaceful awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting, while walking or eating, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply.
• The practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins at 4:30pm on the Friday and continue until just before lunch on the Sunday, with a few structured opportunities for conversation and shared reflection as described below.
• Although the practice of silence may be new to some, most people find this a powerful experience. Maintaining a peaceful environment – walking, moving, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other.

When are there opportunities for conversation for people who’d like them?

• Small discussion groups interspersed throughout the weekend, hosted by Chris, provide an opportunity for up to seven people to meet and explore together a question or two about their meditation practice, or how practice relates to what they have heard during a talk or to daily life. We can learn so much sharing with and listening to others.
• The last session of each day will be an opportunity for conversation together – to reflect on the content of the talks and what we have experienced through the day.
• There will be conversation during Sunday lunch. Also, you’re warmly invited to arrive early for lunch on Friday or stay after the retreat to connect with fellow retreatants.

Practical information

A detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending. The retreat starts on Friday at 4:30 pm with an orientation talk, followed by a period of silent meditation before dinner. Short talks across the weekend will be balanced with periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, time for private reflection and enjoyment of the beautiful grounds. The retreat will finish after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:30 am with meditation practice. Early morning meditation is a wonderful way to greet the day together. While we very much encourage everyone to attend this session, if this is difficult for you for any reason please don’t worry. It is always enough to do what we can – or what our life allows.

Venue, accommodation, meals and costs

Launde Abbey is a beautiful and peaceful venue, nestled in the Leicestershire countryside. It offers a quiet and spacious setting ideal for stillness, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Prices include retreat delivery, accommodation and meals.

The retreat cost is £370 (standard room) or £400 (character room). However their early bird rate is £350 (standard room) or £380 (character room) if booked by 28th August.

It may be possible for you to extend your stay at Launde Abbey by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey if you would like to discuss this.

Event leader

Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in England. Chris’ monastic teachers 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 Dharamshala, India.

Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.

Chris is the author of the upcoming book The Missing Peace being published by Canterbury Press in the Autumn.

Testimonials

“I especially appreciated the good balance between talks, group meditation and private practice time. I also loved the really interesting bits on shared ground with Buddhism and other world religions – and the references to women disciples and to the diminished visibility of women in the Bible. Time just slowed down and the silence was liberating. A huge and heartfelt thank you for a complete reset.”

“The atmosphere of quiet, stillness and peace soaked the weekend – the time and space to rest, the rhythm of talk and practise, the gentleness of the flow of the days each guided in love and wisdom. The talks were rich, revealing, refreshing and beautifully radical – they lifted the soul and challenged the heart. Organisationally, practically and spirituality all was harmony “

Terms

Events organised by The School of Contemplative Life are subject to our Event Terms & Conditions (available in full here). Where an event is organised and hosted by a third party, their own terms and conditions apply.

Please note: our events and those we contribute to or lead on behalf of a third party should be understood as providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. If you have any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you to attend and make sure you always follow your medical practitioner’s advice.

All Bursary applications are administered by The School of Contemplative Life in accordance with our Bursary Guidelines.