Centering and Welcoming Prayer Retreat
Saturday 05 and Sunday 06 July 2014
with Dawn and Leela
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Enter into the silence,
into the Heart of Truth. For herein lies the Great Mystery Where life is ever unfolding; Herein the Divine Plan is made known, the plan all are invited to serve. Listen for the music of the Holy Word in the resounding Silence of the universe. May balance and harmony be your aim as you are drawn into the Heart of Love. [Psalms for Praying: Psalm 132] |
St Augustine, one of the founding fathers of Western Christianity, wrote in the 5th Century: “Lord, you made us for yourself and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.” There is a growing hearts desire for a deeper relationship with God in our world today. This desire for a deeper relationship can be explored through the practice of Centering Prayer, which teaches us how to rest in God. The purpose of Centering Prayer is to remove the obstacles that prevent union with God, and attain a permanent and abiding awareness of God. Centering Prayer is an opening of the mind and heart, our whole being, to God, the Ultimate Mystery (beyond thoughts, words, emotions), whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, thinking, feeling, and choosing, even closer than consciousness itself. Centering Prayer is a practice of silence and waiting for an experience of God’s presence as the ground in which our being is rooted, the Source form whom our life emerges at every moment. Centering Prayer acquired its name from Thomas Merton’s writings, where he said that we should pray out of the center of our being. He described it as a prayer of resting in the center of our being where God dwells.
The Call to Prayer:
To pray is to love. Prayer is love - a communion of love - to be invited into the heart of God. Prayer cultivates a relationship with God. It is communing with God. Prayer is the ascent of the mind to God. When we fix our attention on the face of God without requiring consideration, reasoning, without the need of words, or to be convinced of anything, then one beholds God and the mind is calm and rests in the Divine. Prayer must not be a duty, but a lifestyle. "The more we pray, the more we wish to pray. Like a fish which at first swims on the surface of the water, and afterwards plunges down and is always going deeper - the soul plunges, dives and loses itself in the sweetness of conversing with God." [St John Vianney]
We can learn much from the prayer life of Jesus:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed." [Mark 1:35] The best way to start your day is in prayer. Do not be content to enter into a new day without the assurance that God is walking beside you."Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide open and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day. But swing the door open and pray to your Father in secret and everything will be stamped with the presence of God." [Oswald Chambers] Don't say: I didnt have time: "I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day. I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me and heavier became each task. 'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered. He answered: 'You didn't ask'. I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, grey and bleak. I wondered why God didn't show me. He said: 'You didn't ask.' I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day. I had so much to accomplish, that I HAD to have time to pray!" [Unknown]
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly." [Matthew 6:6] We need quiet time to be alone with God in prayer / meditation. The secret place is the place of inward prayer. The basis of Centering Prayer is Matthew 6:6 where Jesus gives the formula for prayer and tells people to pray in secret, in other words, cultivate interior silence. Enter into your inner room, the spiritual dimension of your being. "It is in that place that the Lord fills the believer with Himself. But fills him only because that person is empty. He clothes him with love and light because he is naked. He lifts him up because he is lowly, and unites him with God and transforms him because he is alone." [Michael Molinos]
"He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when he had sent them away, he departed to the mountain to pray." [Mark 6:45] Jesus understood the need to get away from the busyness of life, and the need for refreshment after work. "Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." [Luke 5:16] Prayer fulfills this need. Prayer also aligns your life and work with God in a Divine union. Prayer is designed to adjust you to God's will, and not to adjust God to your will. If God does not respond to what you are praying for, you may need to adjust your praying to align with God's agenda. Jesus knew where to find guidance and prayed before making major decisions. Prayer puts us in touch with God's will.
The Call to Prayer:
To pray is to love. Prayer is love - a communion of love - to be invited into the heart of God. Prayer cultivates a relationship with God. It is communing with God. Prayer is the ascent of the mind to God. When we fix our attention on the face of God without requiring consideration, reasoning, without the need of words, or to be convinced of anything, then one beholds God and the mind is calm and rests in the Divine. Prayer must not be a duty, but a lifestyle. "The more we pray, the more we wish to pray. Like a fish which at first swims on the surface of the water, and afterwards plunges down and is always going deeper - the soul plunges, dives and loses itself in the sweetness of conversing with God." [St John Vianney]
We can learn much from the prayer life of Jesus:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed." [Mark 1:35] The best way to start your day is in prayer. Do not be content to enter into a new day without the assurance that God is walking beside you."Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide open and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day. But swing the door open and pray to your Father in secret and everything will be stamped with the presence of God." [Oswald Chambers] Don't say: I didnt have time: "I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day. I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me and heavier became each task. 'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered. He answered: 'You didn't ask'. I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, grey and bleak. I wondered why God didn't show me. He said: 'You didn't ask.' I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day. I had so much to accomplish, that I HAD to have time to pray!" [Unknown]
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly." [Matthew 6:6] We need quiet time to be alone with God in prayer / meditation. The secret place is the place of inward prayer. The basis of Centering Prayer is Matthew 6:6 where Jesus gives the formula for prayer and tells people to pray in secret, in other words, cultivate interior silence. Enter into your inner room, the spiritual dimension of your being. "It is in that place that the Lord fills the believer with Himself. But fills him only because that person is empty. He clothes him with love and light because he is naked. He lifts him up because he is lowly, and unites him with God and transforms him because he is alone." [Michael Molinos]
"He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when he had sent them away, he departed to the mountain to pray." [Mark 6:45] Jesus understood the need to get away from the busyness of life, and the need for refreshment after work. "Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." [Luke 5:16] Prayer fulfills this need. Prayer also aligns your life and work with God in a Divine union. Prayer is designed to adjust you to God's will, and not to adjust God to your will. If God does not respond to what you are praying for, you may need to adjust your praying to align with God's agenda. Jesus knew where to find guidance and prayed before making major decisions. Prayer puts us in touch with God's will.
The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to anxiety and deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done.
For my "ideal" is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines.
My in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of frustration forever.
[Antithesis to Psalm 23 by Marcia Hornok]
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to anxiety and deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done.
For my "ideal" is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines.
My in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of frustration forever.
[Antithesis to Psalm 23 by Marcia Hornok]
Saturday: 9.30am - 3.30pm:
Centering Prayer: introduction, method and practice sessions
Cultivating awareness and understanding of thoughts and emotions
Hindrances and obstacles and dealing with the "monkey mind"
Sunday: 9.30am - 3.30pm:
Welcoming Prayer: method and practice sessions
Letting go of false emotional programs for happiness
Beyond thoughts and emotions to the silent presence of God within
Retreat Leaders:
Centering Prayer: introduction, method and practice sessions
Cultivating awareness and understanding of thoughts and emotions
Hindrances and obstacles and dealing with the "monkey mind"
Sunday: 9.30am - 3.30pm:
Welcoming Prayer: method and practice sessions
Letting go of false emotional programs for happiness
Beyond thoughts and emotions to the silent presence of God within
Retreat Leaders:
Dawn Geiges is one of the founding members of Contemplative Outreach Western Cape. Contemplative Outreach is an international organization and was established in South Africa in 1993. It was initiated to bring the ancient prayer practices out of the monastic milieu to those in contemporary society, and is committed to renewing the contemplative dimension of Christianity. Dawn served on the Steering Committee for nearly 2 decades and presently holds the Hospitality portfolio for the Western Cape. She is a retreat facilitator and workshop presenter, and is strongly motivated to help herself and others to deepen their relationship with God. She had the privilege of attending a 10-day retreat with Fr Thomas Keating at Snowmass, Colorado, USA in 1996.
Leela Verity has degrees in Psychology and Law from Wits University, and practiced as an attorney in Johannesburg. In her mid 30’s she resigned from her professional career to follow a spiritual calling. She spent several years travelling in India, studying Eastern religion and philosophy, and doing retreat. She has over 10 years of meditation experience. In 2000, she founded SAT CHIT ANAND Spiritual Retreat Centre in Plettenberg Bay, and has been Director and Manager since then. In 2014, the name was changed to BENEDICTUS DEUS Retreat Centre. Leela continues to host teachings, meditations, workshops and retreats. With extensive knowledge and understanding of both Buddhism and Christianity, it is her joy to help and guide others on the Spiritual Path. She brings the fruits of her many years of studying and practicing meditation to enhance the practice and understanding of Centering Prayer. It is her passion to help people grow spiritually, and to enjoy a fuller and richer spiritual life that is grounded in meditation, prayer, love, worship and personal experience of God, with whom we are united in Love.
Rev. Vonnie Smith, ordained Minister for 12 years at St Peter's Anglican Church in Plett.
Leela Verity has degrees in Psychology and Law from Wits University, and practiced as an attorney in Johannesburg. In her mid 30’s she resigned from her professional career to follow a spiritual calling. She spent several years travelling in India, studying Eastern religion and philosophy, and doing retreat. She has over 10 years of meditation experience. In 2000, she founded SAT CHIT ANAND Spiritual Retreat Centre in Plettenberg Bay, and has been Director and Manager since then. In 2014, the name was changed to BENEDICTUS DEUS Retreat Centre. Leela continues to host teachings, meditations, workshops and retreats. With extensive knowledge and understanding of both Buddhism and Christianity, it is her joy to help and guide others on the Spiritual Path. She brings the fruits of her many years of studying and practicing meditation to enhance the practice and understanding of Centering Prayer. It is her passion to help people grow spiritually, and to enjoy a fuller and richer spiritual life that is grounded in meditation, prayer, love, worship and personal experience of God, with whom we are united in Love.
Rev. Vonnie Smith, ordained Minister for 12 years at St Peter's Anglican Church in Plett.
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Cost:
For one day only: R100 includes teas bring and share lunch |
For both days: R200 includes teas bring and share lunch |
With 2 nights accommodation: Shared: R250 / night Single: R350 / night |
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Bookings:
Leela 044 533 0453 / 082 410 4916 benedictusdeus@global.co.za |
Infinite God, in whom we live and move and have our being ... [raise hands to the sky]
Intimate God, you are always with us ... [place hands in prayer posture]
Inner God, we are the light of the world ... [place hands over heart]
Intimate God, you are always with us ... [place hands in prayer posture]
Inner God, we are the light of the world ... [place hands over heart]
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Those who follow the way of Love
with calm and faith-filled intent, know that all is working toward healing and wholeness. May the healing power of love lift you from the limitations of fear and ignorance into the arms of freedom. May the peace of the Spirit bless you and lead you on life’s journey. Be not afraid of the Silence, for Wisdom’s Voice is heard there. Herein lies the music of the spheres, the harmony of creation. Enter into the Holy Temple of your soul, Converse with the Beloved in sweet communion. Blessings of the Great Silence be with you as you rebuild the heart of the world with love. [Psalms for Praying: Psalm 132] |