September 2019
St. Teresa of Ávila Retreat at Mepkin Abbey
The Carmelite nun Teresa of Ávila — saint, mystic, and doctor of the church — is one of the greatest teachers of Christian prayer. Her guidance speaks to men and women, laypeople and monastics, beginners and proficients. In this retreat, we will explore Teresa’s rich and beautiful insights on how to grow closer to God through prayer, with practical instructions on how to apply her wisdom to our lives today. The retreat leader, Carl McColman, is the author of several…
Find out more »Your Sacred Story: The Spiritual Practice of Journaling
This online course is offered through Columbia Seminary's Certificate Program in Spiritual Formation. Writing and spirituality have gone hand-in-hand from Biblical times to the present day. Keeping a journal can be an integral part of a daily prayer practice; it can be a tool for discernment and for seeking God’s will in our lives. This online course will explore journaling from a variety of perspectives including writing memoir, writing as a form of prayer, writing for healing and discernment, and…
Find out more »October 2019
Restoring the Spiritual Heart: A Contemplative Retreat in Asheville, NC
Restoring the Spiritual Heart of Christianity: A Mini Retreat Led by Carl McColman “I’m spiritual but not religious.” It’s a common refrain in our time, especially by youth and young adults. But this idea that religion and spirituality are somehow different is a recent way of seeing things. Historically, Christianity and spirituality would have been seen as basically the same thing. So for those of us who care about Christianity — or even if we just care about spirituality —…
Find out more »Meeting Jesus in Your Heart: Praying with St. Ignatius of Loyola (A Retreat at the Rock Hill Oratory)
I'll be returning to one of my favorite retreat centers to lead another overnight retreat based on the spirituality of one of our greatest saints. This year we will be praying and reflecting on the life and wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola — and the rich tradition of Ignatian spirituality, which emphasizes finding God in all things and using the imagination as a doorway to prayer. St. Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Society of Jesus or Jesuits)…
Find out more »“Unteachable Lessons” Book Signing and Conversation
On October 17, I'll be visiting Atlanta's center for interspiritual formation and spiritual direction, Zeitgeist, for a conversation and book signing to celebrate the release of my book Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can't Be Taught (And Why That's Okay). No charge for this event (books will be available for purchase), but please RSVP to Debonee Morgan at deb@zgatl.org to confirm your attendance.. Hope to see you there!
Find out more »Promises of the Heart Online Course
“Follow your heart.” It’s a classic phrase of advice and encouragement, for we know that true wisdom is not just a matter of thinking logical thoughts. It emerges most assuredly from the intuition and insight that only our hearts provide. But what does it really mean to “follow your heart,” and how can the wisdom of the heart truly make a difference in our day-to-day lives? Fortunately, each of the world’s great spiritual traditions has much to say about the…
Find out more »November 2019
Wisdom of the Christian Mystics Retreat at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit
My dear friend Brother Elias Marechal, OCSO, author of Tears of an Innocent God, and I co-direct this retreat each year — and it almost always fills up, so if you want to come on this retreat register early. We spend the weekend praying together, reflecting on teachings from some of the great mystics, and practice the kind of deep contemplative prayer that Br. Elias is so gifted at teaching. To register, call the Monastery guest house at (770) 760-0959.
Find out more »“Be Still and Know that I am God” Talk and Booksigning in Lecanto, FL
I've been invited to speak at the Adult Formation Hour of this vibrant Episcopal Parish on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our topic will be "Be Still and Know that I am God" — we'll look at the Biblical foundation for contemplative prayer and how silence, solitude and stillness are gifts — even to the most active of individuals (or communities). We'll have books for sale as well!
Find out more »January 2020
Introduction to Centering Prayer in Grant Park
Is your new year's resolution to deepen your prayer life? A Centering Prayer workshop can be a great way to nurture a more intimate relationship with God! Start 2020 off right with this workshop, at the wonderful new Grant Park Meditation and Contemplative Arts Center. Co-sponsored by Contemplative Outreach Atlanta. Your registration fee covers the Saturday workshop which I will lead, and six follow-up meetings featuring video instruction from Fr. Thomas Keating. For more information or to register, click here.…
Find out more »An Epiphany Celebration: Contemplative Insights with Lerita Coleman Brown, Stuart Higginbotham, and Carl McColman
I'll be joining my friends Lerita Coleman Brown and Stuart Higginbotham for a special Epiphany celebration and contemplative booksigning, which will take place at Mary & Martha's Place on Sunday, January 12 at 4 PM. Epiphany invites us to focus on the manifestation of God in our lives, the work of the Spirit in our hearts. In each and every heart, Spirit invites a deeper awareness of God's peace and love. In this day and age, many are seeking to offer…
Find out more »Invite Carl to speak to your community: Book an Event.