Justin Langille & Mary Beth McEuen
Awakening to Wholeness: Reclaiming the Christian Mystical Tradition
August 15-19
4 nights $240 ($120 deposit) Dana
This retreat is a five-day immersion in silence and stillness. Our emphasis is on experiencing the essence of the Christian mystical tradition in practices such as Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Centering Prayer is a simple, contemporary method of mystical prayer, and Lectio Divina is a time-honored practice of 'praying the scriptures from the heart.' Profound peace, compassion toward all, inner healing, loving awareness, and the transformation of one’s being are fruits of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Our retreat will address the process of spiritual development in our frenetically busy world. The essentials of Centering Prayer will be offered on the afternoon of the first day to those just beginning contemplative practice. There will be daily group periods of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, brief contemplative teachings, and opportunities for private discussions with both retreat leaders.
A regular practice of Centering Prayer, with at least six months experience, is desired but not required. For an introduction to those new to Centering Prayer, we invite you to arrive early on Wednesday August 15 at 2:30.
To honor the integrity of this shared retreat experience, please avoid late arrivals and early departures.
Justin Langille is a contemplative Catholic priest who began his practice of Centering Prayer in the late 1970s and has led retreats for over twenty-five years. This will be his seventh year at Southern Dharma. Justin has also studied the nondual traditions of the great world religions and enjoyed dialogue with Buddhists and Hindus. He collaborates closely with Abbot Thomas Keating, founder of Contemplative Outreach, an ecumenical spiritual network that promotes the practice of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and other Christian contemplative prayer forms. Justin presently serves as co-chair of the Contemplative Outreach International Retreat Leadership Team.
Mary Beth McEuen is a Christian contemplative practitioner, spiritual mentor, wife and mother of two daughters. She is currently Vice President of Organization & People Potential for Maritz, Inc. and dedicates herself to teaching effective methods of life-giving leadership and service. She teaches the integration of living systems, leadership, biblical wisdom, and spiritual practice. Mary Beth currently serves Contemplative Outreach by teaching Centering Prayer and offering retreats.
As a team, Justin and Mary Beth collaborate with like-minded spiritual teachers to discover more effective ways to communicate the experience and fruits of Christian contemplative practice.