The Wisdom of the Heart:
​A Contemplative Retreat for Advent
Friday, December 17-Sunday, December 19, 2021
​

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, art and the poetry of Mary Oliver as we draw on the wisdom of Mary Magdalene, St Francis and Hildegard of Bingen. 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 ; deepen your journey during your free time through creating soul collage cards in the art room, hiking the beautiful trails or reading in front of the fire.






Schedule: 
Friday, December 17
4-5 pm           Arrival  and Welcome                               
5:00                 Music and Meditation                                            6:30                 Dinner                                                            
7:30                 Opening  Group Session                                               
9:00                 Compline   (Evening prayer sung by candlelight)                                                 
-Great Silence-
             

 Saturday, December 18

7:30                 Sung Morning Prayer and Poetry                                                             8:00                 Breakfast                                                                                                           
9:00                Returning to the Root: Mary Magdalene and the Contemplative Monastic Tradition
                        followed by Lectio Divina on The Gospel of Mary                                           

10:30           Chanting the Music of Hildegard of Bingen with Robin  O'Brien               
12:30            Lunch                                                                                                                  
2:30              Silent hike, poetry of Mary Oliver and Nature Mandalas (weather permitting)

                        or Visio Divina with images of Hildegard of Bingen (If stormy) 
4:00.            Free time for art making, journaling, reading and rest
5:30              Taize Music and Meditation
6:30                 Dinner                                                                                                                    
8:00                 Sound Healing on the Indoor Labyrinth  with Robin O'Brien                                                                        
 -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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