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 Christ & Buddha: Awakening to Our True Nature

Jesus Christ and the historical Buddha inspired religious traditions that opened the door for people to awaken to their true nature. In the Christian context, which of course is grounded in the Jewish tradition of Jesus, we speak of union with God as the primary goal of the tradition. As we come to experience that union more fully and consciously, we begin to live into that saying that Paul offers us in Galatians 2:20, "yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me." As Christians, we are called to live out of that deep center, that intimacy with God, that Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating call the True Self, which is most clearly seen by how we love.

Given the similar journeys that both Buddha and Christ model for us, this retreat will be grounded in silence and meditation, and from this silent ground, we will explore the core teachings of the Buddhist and Christian traditions through a few of the great spiritual teachers of these traditions, including Thich Nhat Hanh, Father Thomas Keating, Adyashanti, Pema Chödrön, Thomas Merton, and Bernadette Roberts. This retreat will be held in silence with specific time for contemplative dialogue.

DATES:        July 5 – 7, 2019 (Friday 4:00 PM to Sunday 9:00 AM)

LOCATION:   St. Columba's Inverness, 12835 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Inverness, CA

COST:          Daytime retreat, materials, and meals: $300; for lodging, see Registration.

LEADER:    William Haardt, MA

William Haardt, MA, is the author of The Soul’s Journey: Finding Our Way Home, which highlights the six major stages of the spiritual journey as seen through the lens of Christian and Buddhist mystics such as Thomas Merton and Adyashanti. Mr. Haardt hosts his own website on the theme of contemplative spirituality at www.contemplatives.org and has taught in Quaker and Catholic high schools for the past 23 years. He also leads adult formation through the Jesuit Schools Network in Ignatian Spirituality and is a recent  graduate of Richard Rohr's The Living School. The aim of Mr. Haardt's work is to aid in the continuing discovery of the Divine Source at the center of all reality so that we may create a world that truly models the Heaven on Earth we are called as humans to embody. 

REGISTRATION: To register for this retreat and for information about lodging rooms and rates, go to the retreat web page. After you register, you will receive a detailed memo about what to bring, etc. For more retreat information and to inquire about the limited partial scholarships, contact Anna Haight (annahaight@stcolumbasinverness.org or 415-690-6287).

 

 

Buddhist and Christian Meditation: 
Living and Breathing on a Common Path

Our five-day meditation retreat offers participants a unique opportunity to experience both Buddhist and Christian contemplative practices, through brief instruction, extended periods of silent meditation practice, and generous time for unstructured quiet and solitude.

Complementary practices from these two great spiritual traditions are offered each day, experienced in the context of silent meals and shared “energy gift” times. This retreat is ideal for those who wish to go deeper into stillness, to receive some instruction in meditation and contemplative practice across traditions, and to experience the benefits of meditation and prayer away from our usual distractions of daily life, traffic, cell phones, and electronic media.

St. Francis Retreat Center provides comfortable, hospitable lodging and contemplative spaces for spiritual practice, plus delicious vegetarian meals that aim to accommodate special dietary needs. There are hills dotted with oak trees, several miles of trails, panoramic views, and natural habitats for a community of wild turkeys, hummingbirds, deer, and other wildlife.

DATES:        July 21 – 26, 2019 (Sunday 5:00 PM through Friday lunch)
                     Participants may arrive beginning at 3:00 PM.

LOCATION:   St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista, CA; nearest airport: San Jose, CA (SJC)

COST:          Registration, food, and lodging for 5 days: single $760; double $655
                    (each room has its own bath)

LEADERS:     Susan Murphy and Rod Dugliss

We are committed to making it possible for all to attend who wish to do so, regardless of the ability to pay.  We are very grateful for donations to help pay for scholarships for those who might not otherwise attend. For more information or to have a registration form sent to you, contact Susan at somurphy@earthlink.net, (650) 969-3452 or Rod at rdugliss@gmail.com, (415) 441-4104.

REGISTRATION:  To register for this retreat, print this registration form, fill in the information, and send it with your check to the address provided.