Coming Home - 2010 retreat with Stephen Wright and Jean Sayre-Adams
Saturday 16th - Saturday 23rd October 2010
"Is this place really nearer to God?
Is the wall thin between our whispers
And his listening? I only know
The world grows less and less –“
(from “Iona” – Kenneth C Steven)
Iona is a wonderful island with a deep and rich spiritual history. Thousands pilgrimage here every year in search of spiritual renewal. It is said that Iona is a "thin" place - the veil between realities, between ourselves and God, is least intrusive. The island and the nurturing environment of the St Columba Hotel will provide a safe sacred space for the week's retreat. This will be a time primarily of inner contemplation and reflection. There will be guided teaching and meditations each day, drawn mainly from the Christian contemplative tradition, time for sharing the wisdom of the participants and a pilgrimage around the island midweek.
These occasions of being together will however be set within a wider opportunity for solitude, stillness and silence; timed to "let God be God" and to listen deeply to that "still small voice" within. The island is a truly lovely place and there will be plenty of opportunity to soak up its beaty, enjoy the fresh air and participate in the spiritual rhythms of the Abbey. This week of retreat will be a place to come home to ourselves, to seek out that place of peace and tranquility within and deepen our connection with the divine. Whether you are a novice seeker or have years of spiritual practice behind you, whether you belong to a particular faith or none, this inclusive and open retreat will offer inspiration, direction, renewal and encouragement for all who wish to "come home".
Over the past couple of decades, Stephen and Jean have led retreats both on Iona and in many other places.
Stephen is an academic, award winning journalist, prolific author, conference speaker and workshop leader on matters of spirituality and wellbeing. In recent years, he has focussed particularly on the contemplative way and creating sacred song and dance.
Jean first came to the UK to initiate the teaching of Therapeutic Touch, after having played a leading role in healing work amidst the unfolding AIDS crisis in San Francisco. She is also an expert in the theory and practice of the Enneagram for spiritual development, which greatly enriches the work offered on retreats.
They now co-ordinate two retreat centres in Cumbria owned by the Sacred Space Foundation where both work as spiritual directors.
Both have completed programmes of interfaith ministry, deep spiritual practice and spiritual direction and bring maturity, inclusiveness, deep experience of many faiths and a loving approach to their work.
For information on the tariff and booking conditions, please click here.
To reserve your place (and places are very limited so please book early) please use the bookings enquiries form on this site. You should state that you are interested in booking the "Coming Home 2010" retreat week.
