July 2020
Online Event: “Remaining Faithful in Unusual Times”
I'll be leading a presentation and reflection on the wisdom of Julian of Norwich particularly as it relates to the world we find ourselves in here in the summer of 2020: the world of pandemic, social distancing, the struggle against racism, and the challenge to remain faithful and hopeful during these most difficult times. This talk is free and open to the public — you just need to contact the pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church to receive a Zoom invite.…
Find out more »Online Retreat: Praying with the Spanish Mystics
My friends at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY have invited me "back" for another Zoom retreat. The theme of this retreat will be "Praying with the Spanish Mystics," focusing on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Ávila, and St. John of the Cross. We'll have a conference each day of the three day retreat; at each conference we will explore the life and teaching of one of these great mystics and pray together according…
Find out more »August 2020
Online Retreat: Wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers
Mepkin Abbey is sponsoring this online retreat based on the spirituality of the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Let's enter the "desert" of this extraordinary time of pandemic and social isolation together, turning to our desert elders for inspiration and spiritual guidance. The retreat begins with a conference the evening of Monday, August 10. Two conferences each day on Tuesday through Thursday, August 11-13, will combine reflection on the wisdom of the desert fathers with spiritual practices to help apply their…
Find out more »Mosaïek Conversations (Online Event)
You are invited to an exciting online event that I'm honored to be part of. Mosaïek Conversations, sponsored by a church in South Africa, takes place the weekend of August 28 & 29, 2020. The event organizers asked fellow pilgrims on the spiritual journey to share the practices, hopes and ideas that stir their heart. My talk will be on silence (of course). The speakers include: Br Alois (from Taizé), Carolyn Arends, Lacy Finn Borgo, Shane Claiborne, Johan Geyser, Aaron Niequist, Parker J. Palmer, Ron Rolheiser,…
Find out more »September 2020
Online Retreat: J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and George MacDonald: the Wisdom of the Christian Imagination
This retreat has been rescheduled and moved online. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia are masterpieces of fantasy literature. Since both authors were committed Christians, these writings also are filled with spiritual insights and mystical wisdom. On this retreat we will reflect together on how Tolkien, Lewis, and their 19th-century predecessor, George MacDonald, offer timeless guidance that remains relevant to followers of Christ today. Suggested donation for this retreat is $45. Retreat…
Find out more »Online Course: Wisdom of the World’s Mystical Traditions (Seven Week Program)
Mysticism is like meditation and prayer — it cannot be limited to just one faith or wisdom tradition. Zeitgeist — Atlanta's home base for the spiritually independent seeker (and their allies like me, who are aligned with a faith but who love the interspiritual adventure) — is doing important work not only here in the south, but now thanks to online technology, for everyone. I'm really excited to partner with Zeitgeist to offer this seven week program on "Wisdom of…
Find out more »October 2020
The Franciscan Way of Prayer (Online Retreat)
The Franciscan Way of Prayer: Spiritual Wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved of all saints, and for good reason. He's a patron saint of animals and ecology, and was renowned for his compassionate care for the poor. He has been an inspiration to saints and ordinary people from his own day to the present (just think of Pope Francis!) Franciscan spirituality continues to inspire people of all walks of life.…
Find out more »November 2020
Online Course: Wisdom of the Christian Mystics (with Tessa Bielecki)
I'm excited to be offering this online course exploring the wisdom of the Christian mystics in partnership with my colleague and friend Tessa Bielecki. We will be celebrating the wisdom and insight of a dozen major voices within the Christian tradition, looking at how their wisdom remains relevant even in these extraordinary times, and how they invite us deeper in our own spiritual practice. To learn more and to register, click on this link: www.SpiritualityandPractice.com/WisdomoftheChristianMysticsE-Course
Find out more »Online Event: Dealing with Distractions During Centering Prayer
"I've tried Centering Prayer, but my mind just won't settle down!" If you've ever said this, or something like it, then this mini-retreat is for you! We will be reflecting together on how the "monkey mind" feels like such a distraction during forms of silent prayer — and then we'll consider how we can actually "meet the monkey" in such a way that even the noisiest thoughts can become doorways to moving deeper into prayerful silence before God. We'll have…
Find out more »January 2021
Online Retreat: Wisdom of the Christian Mystics (with Brother Elias)
This event has been moved to online. Please register to join us on Zoom. It's become an annual tradition! Every fall I co-facilitate this retreat with Brother Elias, the author of Tears of an Innocent God. This year, we've moved the dates back to January, and we'll be online, so hope you can join us! Wisdom of the Christian Mystics (Br. Elias & Carl McColman) From the Desert Fathers to Julian of Norwich to Thomas Merton, Christian history is filled with…
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