Sat 08 - Sun 09 August 2015 (weekend)
Centering Prayer Workshop and Retreat
with Janie and Leela
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For You alone my soul waits in silence;
my hope is from the Beloved. Enfolding me with strength and steadfast love, my faith shall remain firm. In the silence rests my freedom and my guidance, for You are the Heart of my heart, You speak to me in the silence. [Psalm 62:5 from Psalms for Praying] In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. [Isaiah 30:15] The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait softly for the salvation of the Lord. [Lamentations 3:25] |
"Contemplative Prayer means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us."
[Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila]
This prayer is fixed on the Lord, wanting nothing, seeking nothing, demanding nothing. It is the prayer of the loving gaze, it is sheer attentiveness to the other - like two lovers utterly content to be present to one another without words. It is deep calling to deep from a place where language is superfluous. This prayer moves us away from the energetic expression of what is disturbing us to a deep silence within. I see it in terms of breathing out, emptying ourselves of all our concerns, while we breathe in only the breath of God. It is totally calming. It is being in the presence of the eternal attentive lover. [Waiting on God by Denis Mc Bride]
PROGRAMME:
SATURDAY: WORKSHOP to be held in the Catholic Church Hall
09h00: Welcome and Opening Session
DVD: “Be still and Know”
Method of Centering Prayer and a taste of the prayer
10h30: Tea
11h00: DVD: “Thoughts and the use of the sacred word, the power of return”
20min period of Centering Prayer
12h00: Deepening our Relationship with God
12h30: DVD: “The two-armed embrace”
Feedback and Closure
SATURDAY morning is in the form of a public workshop and is open to everybody. Saturday afternoon is free for retreatants staying here. It is suggested that you remain in silence, and spend time contemplating readings which will be provided for your reflection, and enjoy walking meditation in nature.
SUNDAY: DAY OF RESTING IN GOD to be held at Benedictus Deus Retreat Centre
Attend Sunday Service / Mass at Church of your choice
(Catholic/Anglican/Methodist/Evangelical)
10h30: Tea
11h00: Welcome and Opening Session
11h30: Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina
12h30: DVD by Fr Thomas Keating
13h00: Silent lunch
14h00: Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina
14h30: DVD by Fr Carl Arico
Sharing and Closure
SUNDAY is open to anyone who wishes to join the silent Day of Resting in God, in addition or separate to the Saturday morning workshop. If you are a beginner to the practice of Centering Prayer / Christian meditation, then it is advisable to also attend the Saturday morning workshop.
RETREAT LEADERS:
SATURDAY: WORKSHOP to be held in the Catholic Church Hall
09h00: Welcome and Opening Session
DVD: “Be still and Know”
Method of Centering Prayer and a taste of the prayer
10h30: Tea
11h00: DVD: “Thoughts and the use of the sacred word, the power of return”
20min period of Centering Prayer
12h00: Deepening our Relationship with God
12h30: DVD: “The two-armed embrace”
Feedback and Closure
SATURDAY morning is in the form of a public workshop and is open to everybody. Saturday afternoon is free for retreatants staying here. It is suggested that you remain in silence, and spend time contemplating readings which will be provided for your reflection, and enjoy walking meditation in nature.
SUNDAY: DAY OF RESTING IN GOD to be held at Benedictus Deus Retreat Centre
Attend Sunday Service / Mass at Church of your choice
(Catholic/Anglican/Methodist/Evangelical)
10h30: Tea
11h00: Welcome and Opening Session
11h30: Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina
12h30: DVD by Fr Thomas Keating
13h00: Silent lunch
14h00: Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina
14h30: DVD by Fr Carl Arico
Sharing and Closure
SUNDAY is open to anyone who wishes to join the silent Day of Resting in God, in addition or separate to the Saturday morning workshop. If you are a beginner to the practice of Centering Prayer / Christian meditation, then it is advisable to also attend the Saturday morning workshop.
RETREAT LEADERS:
JANIE POTGIETER was born into a staunch Dutch Reformed family and was raised by devoted
Christian parents. At the age of 16 she gave her heart completely to Jesus and
her personal spiritual journey started. In 1990 she was confirmed in the Anglican Church and served many years as lay minister there. At present she worships at All Saints, Somerset West. She was introduced to Centering Prayer and Contemplative Outreach in 1999. She started the practice of centering twice daily and it became a way of life. She served in the Contemplative Outreach organism as retreat leader, workshop presenter and small group facilitator. At present she is the Chapter Co-ordinator for the Western Cape, and holds the portfolio for growth and education.
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. 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 hosts workshops and facilitates retreats, and it is her joy to help and guide others on the Spiritual Path. She brings the fruits of 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.
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Our souls wait in silence
in rest and in quiet for You ... Spirit ... In trust and dependence we walk in the in the promise of You coming with hope and healing in Your wings with fire and with wind You fall on us again ... |