Facilitator: Chris Page

A Contemplative Circle: Reflecting on our Inner Life (drawing on Parker Palmer’s bestseller, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey toward the Undivided Life) is a place to explore one’s inner life with others through readings, poems, symbols, story and conversation.

Drawn from ancient and contemporary wisdom, it is a deeply spiritual approach to identifying our ‘inner landscape’.

Throughout the year our outer landscape, such as ocean, mountain, desert, forest and the seasons will be used as metaphors and images of our inner life.

Parker Palmer is an author, educator and activist who focusses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. As a Quaker, he has explored the power of both silence and action within life. His book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey toward the Undivided Life has become a groundbreaking bestseller and a guide to those wanting a fuller and richer life.

All are welcome to join A Contemplative Circle.

Poem for Reflection

Sweet Darkness

By David Whyte

 

When your eyes are tired

the world is tired also.

 

When your vision has gone

no part of the world can find you.

 

Time to go into the dark

where the night has eyes

to recognize its own.

 

There you can be sure

you are not beyond love.

 

The dark will be your womb

tonight.

 

The night will give you a horizon

further than you can see.

 

You must learn one thing.

The world was made to be free in.

 

Give up all the other worlds

except the one to which you belong.

 

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet

confinement of your aloneness

to learn

 

anything or anyone

that does not bring you alive

 

is too small for you.

Possible Silver Linings in the Coronavirus Emergency

Click here to download an article on Engaged Mysticism by Matthew Fox.

2020 dates (10am to 12.30pm) – on hold during Coronavirus pandemic
  • Wednesday 19 February
  • Wednesday 18 March
  • Wednesday 15 April
  • Wednesday 20 May
  • Wednesday 17 June
  • Wednesday 15 July
  • Wednesday 19 August
  • Wednesday 16 September
  • Wednesday 21 October
  • Wednesday 18 November (in church lounge)

You can read about A Contemplative Circle in the 2020 program, and book and pay securely here.