Newsletter Archive

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Happy Easter!  This new issue will update you on the outcomes of our March 5 “Discernment Day,” explain an important decision we’ve reached about offering future programs (based partly on what we learned from the recent online program survey), and provide information about a range of retreats and other events available in Illinois and nearby states this spring and summer.  It also presents Part 4 of Alan Krema’s ongoing Wisdom School series, along with Insights from Beck, Susan Salzberg, Shunryu Suzuki, and Thomas Merton.

Please help us make Spirit Journal an open interactive forum for Chicago-area contemplatives.  Use the e-mail address at the end to send your ideas, contributions and feedback.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – March 2016

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Our February issue invites you to participate in an important “Discernment Day” on March 5 to help plan future directions for our organization.  It also presents Part 3 of Alan Krema’s discussion of the Wisdom School.

In addition, we offer a final opportunity to complete a quick survey and help design an expanded lineup of 2016 programs, and we provide information about upcoming Centering Prayer workshops and other events at Healing Gardens, suggest three ways you can celebrate United in Prayer Day on March 19, and link to information about an introductory Wisdom School that takes place in Wisconsin in late March.  This month’s Insights come from Dogen Zenji, Black Elk, Cynthia Bourgeault, and Contemplative Outreach.

Please help us make Spirit Journal an interactive forum for Chicago-area contemplatives.  Use the e-mail address at the end to send your ideas, contributions and feedback.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – February 2016

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In this first issue of the new year, we invite your participation in an important “Discernment Day” on March 5 to help plan future directions for our organization, and we also ask for a special favor:  please take a few minutes to complete a quick survey that will help us create an expanded lineup of 2016 programs.

This issue also includes Part 2 of Alan Krema’s discussion of the Wisdom School, important news about our upcoming Winter Weekend Retreat, information about new activities at Healing Gardens, an introduction to the Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey, and insights from Henry David Thoreau, Thomas Merton, Sheng-Yen, and Thomas Aquinas.

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – January 2016

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The December issue includes a Christmas message from Phil Jackson, information about a weekend retreat you may want to participate in this February, a first-hand description of what it’s like to spend a week at a Wisdom School, information about the Portiuncula Center for Prayer, and insights from Peter Matthiessen, St. Paul, the Dalai Lama, and St. John.

Please help us make Spirit Journal a more valuable and interesting forum in 2016.  Use the e-mail address at the end to send your ideas, contributions and feedback.

Christmas, Centering Prayer, Change, and Continuity

 

Dear Centering Prayer Community –

At this most mystical time of year, may you enjoy the fruits of our prayer.  May the quiet calm that Centering Prayer offers, and its focus on the ultimate reality, be your way to joy.

It’s been such a pleasure to see and talk with so many of you this year, and to see the transformation, both individually and in groups, that Centering Prayer provides through the efforts of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – December 2015

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Our November issue includes a reflection on Thanksgiving, descriptions of several upcoming retreats you may want to participate in, information on regional and technical resources to support contemplative practice, and insights from Thomas Keating, James Finley, Ram Dass, and Nick Bostrum.

Please help us to continue developing Spirit Journal as a unique, thoughtful, and interesting resource.  Use the e-mail address at the end to send your ideas and feedback.

Giving Thanks

 

by Jack Lloyd

Unlike Christmas or Easter, this week’s holiday isn’t linked to a pivotal event in religious history.  Instead, we’re told, Thanksgiving began on an ordinary autumn day when two tribes – Native American and English – simply decided to come together to share food, drink, and a peaceful moment of pure spiritual gratitude.

In that moment, somehow, they were fully awake to the fact that our existence on this Earth is pure grace.  It’s a gift we don’t have the power to give ourselves.   Naturally, this awareness made them feel grateful, and they found a beautiful way express their thanks.  To this day, at its best, the tradition of Thanksgiving carries this deep meaning forward, and gives us a chance to feel it and express our gratitude, as well.

So, this Thursday, I hope we can keep in mind our ancestors’ wisdom and courage as they faced a difficult future together.  And I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – November 2015

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This new issue includes feedback from the Annual Fall Workshop we hosted on October 3, thoughts from Thich Nhat Hanh on “why we practice,” information about our Winter Weekend Retreat (coming up in February), a link to our expanded online events calendar, insights from Mary Oliver, Thomas Merton, Pope Francis, and Richard Rohr, and a recommended link to the interesting website of the public radio program On Being.

We invite you to help us make Spirit Journal a unique, thoughtful, and interesting resource.  Please use the e-mail address at the end to send your ideas and feedback.

Fall Workshop Revisited

 

Were you there?

Contemplative Outreach Chicago’s fourth annual Fall Workshop took place on October 3 at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs. Participation grew to more than 130 people this year, and there was a tremendous feeling of unity and friendship as we practiced Centering Prayer together to start the day!

The workshop sessions were all well-attended and participant feedback was very positive.  Here are some sample comments participants wrote after experiencing the individual sessions:

[Read more…] about Spirit Journal – October 2015