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.
2021 dates (10am to 12noon)
- Wednesday 17 February (Zoom only)
- Wednesday 17 March
- Wednesday 21 April
- Wednesday 19 May
- Wednesday 16 June
- Wednesday 21 July
- Wednesday 18 August
- Wednesday 15 September
- Wednesday 20 October
- Wednesday 17 November
In 2021, A Contemplative Circle will be offered in ‘hybrid’ format: a combination of in-person attendances and attendance by Zoom. Please indicate your attendance preference when you book in for each session. However, available attendance options will be dependent on the total number of attendees and COVID restrictions at the time of the event. Your attendance mode will be confirmed just before each event.
Cost: $31.50 (full cost) / $26.50 (members/concession) per session.
Click here to book in for A Contemplative Circle in 2021. If you are attending by Zoom, the link will be sent to you just prior to the session.