Newsletter Archive

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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

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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

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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

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Have you noticed that autumn has arrived?

We are now less than a month away from November 3 – the date for this year’s Annual Fall One-Day Workshop.  This event is always a great opportunity for Chicago-area contemplatives to meet face to face and get to know one another better, while learning and growing in ways that help each of us move along the spiritual path.  We hope you can join us this year for a unique opportunity to spend a full day with Cynthia Bourgeault, focused on her transformational wisdom teachings. (See below for further information and registration.)

In addition, this issue lets you know about opportunities to get involved and help Contemplative Outreach Chicago as an active volunteer, and it shares information about a number of interesting events and retreats that are coming up in the Chicago area and across the midwest.

This month’s Insights come from Thomas Keating, William Johnston, Richard Rohr, and Kahlil Gibran.  This issue also includes the seventh chapter of Phil Jackson’s Spirit in the Wild – an ongoing journal of Phil’s solo wilderness journey in the High Sierras last year.  In this chapter, dangerous weather conditions are creating an increasingly precarious situation, as Phil struggles to make progress toward safety and home.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – October 2018

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This issue points you toward opportunities to register for two upcoming contemplative events: a silent retreat in Wisconsin next month and our seventh annual Fall Workshop on November 3 in Lisle.  Cynthia Bourgeault provides an invitation and welcome to the conversation she plans to lead at the Fall Workshop.  (Now is the time to reserve your place – the workshop is less than two months away and 350 people have already signed up to attend.  Please register soon so you won’t be left out.)

We share information about a number of other upcoming events and retreats in the Chicago area and across the midwest. This month’s Insights come from Richard Rohr, Marco Semarini, Ram Dass and Rabbi Rami Shapiro.  This issue also includes the sixth chapter of Phil Jackson’s Spirit in the Wild – a ongoing journal of Phil’s solo wilderness journey in the High Sierras last year.  In this chapter, things are getting more than a bit dramatic as unexpected snow and cold weather put Phil into a precarious situation.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – September 2018

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This August issue reminds you that it’s time to register for this year’s Annual Fall Workshop, coming up on November 3, and provides a look at the themes Cynthia Bourgeault will be exploring that day. It’s not too early to register – the workshop is now less than three months away and more than 200 people have already signed up to attend.  Please register soon so you won’t be left out.

We also include a personal reflection from Al Krema on maintaining contemplative consciousness and balance amid the distractions and disturbances of the current era.  We share information about a number of other upcoming events and retreats in the Chicago area and further afield. This month’s Insights come from Marianne Williamson, Krista Tippett, Lama Tsultrim Allione, and Wayne Dyer.

This issue also offers the fifth chapter of Phil Jackson’s Spirit in the Wild – a ongoing journal of Phil’s solo wilderness journey in the High Sierras last year.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – August 2018