Programs

 by Gerard Murphy

1. ‘Saints & Solitude’ – A reflective and in-depth o/n retreat on the spirituality and writings of an eclectic group of Christian and non-Christian mystics as they pertain to the grace of solitude. How their lives and writings speak to contemporary times is also considered.

2. Celtic Spirituality – A one day retreat centered on the principal tenets of ancient Celtic Spirituality. Particular emphases are given to the concepts of eco-spirituality, hospitality and spiritual companionship (anam cara) and how they might relate to one’s evolving spirituality.

3. ‘Into Great Silence’ – Drawing from Philip Gröning’s highly acclaimed, award-winning film Into Great Silence, this overnight retreat focuses on the place and value of silence, mindfulness, and contemplation in modern life. Prayer, discussion, personal journaling and periods of silence, will form the basis of this reflective retreat.

4. Evolutionary Christianity – How does Evolutionary Christianity fit into our Faith Story? What do we mean by Divine Consciousness?  What is the More Jesus so urgently wanted to teach his disciples?  Can we stop seeking once we believe what formal religion asks us to believe?  Drawing from the popular Nooma DVD Series by Pastor Rob Bell, and the inspirational writings of Diarmuid O’Murchu, Michael Dowd and Judy Cannato, this reflective retreat is for those on an authentic quest for deeper faith and enlightenment.

5. Sabbath Prayer Retreat – This o/n retreat for those in Christian ministry (or who simply wish to broaden and deepen their personal prayer life) takes an in-depth look at: What Prayer Is; Centering Prayer; Intercessory Prayer; Spiritual Journaling and Prayer of Thanksgiving. Provision is made for personal journaling, quiet time and group practicum of prayer forms.

6. ‘Journey of the Universe’ – An evening retreat based on the award-winning DVD Journey of the Universe (a collaborative project by evolutionary philosopher Brian Swimme and historian of religions Mary Tucker) to remind us how we ‘got here’ on an ever-so-bumpy-ride at times! We are a living, breathing, evolving, integral part of this multi-dimensional, ever expanding universe – a universe that (from our moral perspective) has to be our reference point on all matters of coexistence, human dignity, justice, interdependence, and the overall flourishing of our little planet on the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy.

7. Earth Day Retreat – A day retreat on the art of reconnecting with what has birthed us, nourishes and sustains us, and ultimately is our ‘Ground of Being’. Eco Spirituality in a non-denominational context, ‘Earthing’ (the practice of walking barefoot on the earth and its attendant health and spiritual benefits), along with what it means to realign with the primordial intelligence and energy of our cosmic origin (God/ reality/nature), will be explored and meditated on during this day of prayer, practicum and reflection.

8. Food, Faith and Fellowship! What we Eat, what we Believe – morally, nutritionally, spiritually – about what we eat, and the healing, humanizing art of Table Fellowship, will form the basis of this day workshop.

9. ‘Wisdom of the World’ – Through the media of story, art and short film, this day retreat will explore how a universal spiritual wisdom is distilled through the proverbial lenses of the world’s major religions. Indigenous spirituality including Native American Wisdom will also be referenced and considered in our common quest for communion and alignment with our Source of Being.

10. Spirituality and Aging – As I age, what gives meaning and purpose to my life? How am I connecting to the moment, to self, to others, to nature and to the significant or sacred?  What is the spiritual / moral legacy I would like to leave family, friends and the earth community, as I ease into higher levels of pure consciousness at the end of this lifetime?  As we wrestle with these questions for ourselves and with those we serve, this o/n  retreat will thoughtfully explore some creative ways to support the spiritual journey of aging.

11. The Gift of Laughter! Live well, Love much, Laugh a lot – This much co-opted line from Bessie Anderson Stanley’s poem, “Success” speaks to the essence of what constitutes a healthy outlook on and relationship to life. This half day retreat is for those who value the place and importance of endorphin-releasing laughter in their lives; and for those who would like to explore more deeply the healing gift of spontaneous joy and laughter in God’s dream of humanity!

12. Quantum Spirituality: – In a paradigm-shifting world where science and theology are increasingly intersecting in a symbiosis of elegance and meaning, Quantum Spirituality would seem to be the evolutionary movement of our times . . For the ‘spiritually independent’ seeker who has long outgrown the canonized and inhibiting strictures of formal religion, and who seeks to understand the deep time implications of our human existence, set against a backdrop of the daily new discoveries of our microscopic (subatomic) and macroscopic (expanding universe) story, this one day program is a wonderful way to engage the mystery and elegance of the multi-dimensional universe we interpenetrate every breath we take and in every relationship we have.

13. Transformation as Spiritual Practice:  Can we transform the spiritual fabric of our lives and reclaim the sacred relationship we have inherited with every natural species and life form that inhabits the earth?  Can we – in essence – thrive?

Based on, and drawing from, the highly acclaimed award-winning documentary ‘Thrive’ by Foster and Kimberly Gamble, this one day program will facilitate a rigorous and contemplative examination of these questions and concepts as they pertain to our spiritual growth and the non-violent activism we can adopt to make the changes we wish to see in our world.

14. A World Not at War: Inspired by the Luka Bloom song, I Am Not at War, this day program focuses on the theme of peaceful co-existence and non-violence in our war-torn world. Drawing from the writings of peace activist, John Deer, my own book, Do It Anyway: Reflections of An Unplugged Mystic, and the peace movement Roots of Peace founded by Heidi Kuhn, we will explore the many ways we are called to be peace activists in our daily lives.

15. “Art & Soul” – Exploring the Creativity of Spirit: What do we mean by Creativity of the Spirit? Through the media of art, music, film, and science, this day program will explore the relationship between the human Spirit and the Divine.

16. Envisioning a New Story for Humanity – Drawing from the highly acclaimed documentary,  A New Story for Humanity – Change the Story, Change the World, this one-day program focuses on the paradigm shifts and expansions in human consciousness that are taking place at ground level around the globe. It is a day of reflection, discussion, ritual, solitude, and prayer.