Meditation and opening to the Word within
Each moment, each breath, is an invitation to open ourselves to the birth of Christ within us, says the great medieval spiritual teacher Meister Eckhart.
This birth is always happening within us. It is the gift of our life, the energy that sustains the whole of creation. But to know this in our own experience changes everything. Our awakening to the birth of Christ in our heart is our rebirth within the infinite love of God, to become places of love for each other.
In this special Advent retreat we’ll explore this important teaching with help from a remarkable Christmas Day sermon given by Meister Eckhart over 700 years ago.
“In the midst of silence there was spoken within me a secret word… Where is the silence, and where is the place where the word is spoken?
“It is in the purest thing that the soul is capable of…indeed, in the very essence of the soul which is the soul’s most secret part.”
The day will involve a flow of short talks, silent meditation practice and conversation. Everyone attending will receive a selection of key passages from Eckhart’s Christmas sermon a week before the event to reflect on in the days leading up to the retreat.
We anticipate that the event will be popular so encourage early booking. The day will be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith or beliefs.
Cost: £40pp Including Lunch and Refreshments
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.
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.”
What people are saying
“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.”
“My meditation practice in community with others reinforces my awareness of the interconnectedness of all life and strengthens my desire to become a place of peace and love for others.”