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Preview

• This issue leads off with a listing of resources we hope will help you feel more spiritually connected during the current crisis.
• With regret, we announce the postponement of one of our upcoming events.
• Alan Krema writes about the Welcoming Prayer practice, reflects on February’s Winter Retreat, and notes that the Living Flame program has moved online.
• Charlie Welsh shares his own personal take on the Winter Retreat.
• Sue Fox McGovern remembers a silent weekend retreat spent with her Centering Prayer group last fall.
• We publish a poem called Humility, which was a favorite of “Dr. Bob” and was brought to our attention by Sandy Janowski.
• March Insights come from Albert Camus, Sharon Salzberg, Desmond Tutu, and Helen Nearing.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – March 2020

Preview

Happy Spring! We hope you had a wonderful Easter.  April’s Spirit Journal announces that “early bird” registration is now underway for the Living Flame program that starts in October, as well as for this summer’s Eight-Day Intensive/Post Intensive Retreats. Alan Krema writes about the “Enter the Chaos” retreat he recently attended in Michigan. This retreat will be offered in our area next February

We are also delighted to publish a prayerful poem by Deb Marqui of Healing Gardens, as well as the third and final installment of a Pluck the Day . . . for It Is Ripe, by Jeff Ediger.

Finally, we provide information about several additional contemplative activities that are coming up soon and may be of interest, along with Insights from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Howard Thurman, David Steindl-Rast, and Mary van Balen.

As always, we hope you will let us know what you think about Spirit Journal – and start your side of the conversation – by emailing the editor at the address provided at the end of the newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – April 2019

Preview

March’s Spirit Journal announces a slight change of plans affecting this summer’s Eight-Day Intensive/Post Intensive Retreats, reminds us to save the dates for the 2019-2020 Living Flame program that launches in the fall, and shares information about the final 2019 Living Wisdom workshop coming up on April 13 with Jeff Ediger.

We are delighted to publish a lovely personal reflection on Centering Prayer by Sandy Janowski, one of the leaders of our summer retreats, along with the second installment of a very interesting new long-form piece of writing we think you’ll enjoy: Pluck the Day . . . for It Is Ripe, by Jeff Ediger.

Finally, we provide information about several additional contemplative activities that are coming up soon and may be of interest, along with Insights from Thich Nhat Hanh, Albert Einstein, Sharon Satzburg, and Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – March 2019

Preview

Having taken January off, Spirit Journal is back with a lot of news to share!  This issue announces two important new programs: Registration will start soon for this summer’s 2019 Eight-Day Intensive/Post Intensive Retreat and for the 2019-2020 Living Flame program. Have a look at the preliminary information on each of these programs and save the dates!

We also share information about the next Living Wisdom workshop coming up March 9 with Rabbi Rami Shapiro, describe two new part-time employment opportunities with Contemplative Outreach Chicago, and share a poem by Alan Krema inspired by the Living Wisdom Program.

This month also features the first installment of a very interesting new long-form piece of writing we think you’ll enjoy: Pluck the Day . . . for It Is Ripe, by Jeff Ediger.  Finally, we provide information about several additional contemplative activities that are coming up soon and may be of interest, along with Insights from Cynthia Bourgeault, Milarepa, Richard Rohr, and Miribai Starr.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – February 2019

Preview

This final issue of 2018 begins with a warm and heartfelt Christmas greeting to all of our members from Contemplative Outreach – Chicago.  Then we share information about the first workshop of the 2019 Living Wisdom Program – Mystical Poetry During Times of Trouble – coming up in less than a month on January 12.

Next up is an invitation to participate in the Winter Weekend Retreat in February.  The 2019 iteration of this long-running annual event will focus on the Welcoming Prayer Practice.  We also provide information about several additional contemplative activities that are coming up soon and may be of interest, along with Insights from Thomas Keating.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – December 2018

Preview

In this issue of Spirit Journal, we have many ideas and announcements to share with you. We begin the November edition with Phil Jackson’s reflections on an important question: Who will replace Thomas Keating?  Next, Alan Krema writes about the Welcoming Prayer Practice, which will be the focus of our 2019 Winter Weekend Retreat, as well as one of the four sessions in the 2019 Living Wisdom Program.  The issue also includes official announcements about the Winter Retreat and Living Wisdom, with links to find out more and register for the programs.

Next, Jack Lloyd takes a brief look back at the Annual Fall Workshop that took place early this month (and invites you to do the same). We provide you with information about several additional contemplative activities that are coming up soon and may be of interest, along with Insights from Margaret Mead, Rosa Parks, Etty Hillesum, and Thomas Keating.

Finally, this issue includes the last chapter in Phil Jackson’s Spirit in the Wild series. If you haven’t been following this adventure yarn/reflection over the past seven months, please consider taking a look at it. (There’s a link for those who want to go back and start at the beginning.) We are very grateful to Phil for sharing this exciting and inspiring piece in Spirit Journal.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – November 2018