The Wisdom of the Heart:
​A Contemplative Retreat for Advent
Friday, December 16-Sunday, December 19, 2023
​

Experience the ancient treasures of contemplative practices that can nourish your spirit in a weekend  that weaves together story, image, song and silence. 

Our days will intersperse times of silence with music and meditation on art and the poetry  as we draw on the wisdom of  the mystical tradition. There will be a feast of contemplative practices: chanting, Labyrinth walks, Lectio Divina on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, a candlelit Taizé service, an evening sound healing session, and the creation of Earth Art mandalas.
In the free time periods,  deepen your  inward journey by through creating soul collage cards in the art room, hiking the beautiful trails or reading in front of the warming fire.





Schedule: 
Friday, December 16
3 pm           Arrival  
4 pm           Welcome and orientation                            
5:00                 Music and Meditation                                            
​6:30                 Dinner                                                            
7:30                 Opening Group Session: Saying Yes to Life                                               
9:00                 Compline   (Evening prayer sung by candlelight)               
                                 
-Great Silence-
             
 Saturday, December 17

7:30                 Sung Morning Prayer and Poetry                                                             
8:00                 Breakfast                     
​9:00                Returning to the Root: The Contemplative Monastic Tradition
                        followed by Lectio Divina on The Magnficat                      
                
10:30           Chanting the Music of Hildegard of Bingen with Robin  O'Brien
             
12:30           Lunch       
                                                                                                          
2:00            Optional hike and Nature Mandalas (weather permitting)

4:00           Visio Divina with images of  the Magnificat
           
5:30              Taize Music and Meditation
6:30              Dinner                                                                                                                    
8:00              Music Meditation on the Indoor Labyrinth  with Robin O'Brien ,followed by Compline
                                                                      
 -GREAT SILENCE-

Sunday, December 19

7:30                Morning Music and Meditation                                       
8:00               Breakfast                                                    
9:30                Eucharist with the Ranch Community (optional)
11:00               Closing Session                                              
12:30               Lunch                                                               
1:30                 Departure

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