‘The Journey into Oneness: Meditation & the Wisdom of The Cloud of Unknowing’ weekend silent retreat

Event description

‘God is your being.’  So says the anonymous medieval author of The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counselling. We are already one with God, with each other and all creation in God.

How might meditation help us to become aware of this oneness? And how might this awareness transform our lives and relationships?

The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy (‘private’) Counselling are among the most important texts on meditation in the Christian tradition. Originally written as practical guides for his student, the author teaches with a blend of wisdom and simplicity, directness and humour that reaches across the centuries.

Through a flow of talks, silent meditation practice and opportunities for conversation, we’ll explore:

• the simple guidelines for meditation practice as described in The Cloud;
• what the author says in The Book of Privy Counselling about the practice of resting in awareness, the realisation of oneness, and how our practice can benefit the whole of creation.

The Cloud author sees meditation as a path of integration, of liberation and harmony which contributes not only to the well-being of the practitioner, but to the wellbeing of all people, of the entire universe.

Ultimately, meditation ‘is nothing else but the glorious gift of love’ he says, a ‘work of love’ which illuminates the heart and makes our ‘relationships with others beautiful’. To the one who is content to enter the mystery of God’s infinite love, ‘all people seem family to them, and none seem a stranger.’

It is enough to simply lift up our hearts ‘with a humble stirring of love,’ says the author.  No thoughts are needed. ‘Let God be God’ without trying to dress God up in your favourite God-clothes. Allow yourself to come to God ‘just as you are…’

For those who would like to do some pre-reading for the retreat, two chapters in Chris Whittington’s book The Missing Peace feature new translations from these classic texts: Chapter 9, ‘Enter Into Your Inner Room’, and Chapter 35, ‘Resting in Awareness’.

Who is this for?

This retreat will offer important insights for those who practice meditation, but is also intended for those who are new to the practice and feel drawn to discover the deep wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition. It has been carefully crafted to be accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith or beliefs.

What to expect

Being on retreat is a precious opportunity to be still, to be silent, to practice living simply and peacefully and cultivate the gift of loving-awareness as we devote ourselves to the depth-dimension of faith and life.

The focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice, and we will practice bringing loving-awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting, while walking or eating, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply.

The practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins on Friday and continue until after lunch on the Sunday. Although the practice of silence may be new to some, most people find this a powerful and wonderful experience. Maintaining a quiet and peaceful environment – walking, moving, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other.

The last session of each day will be an opportunity for conversation together, to reflect on the content of the talks and what we have experienced in our meditation through the day.

The retreat timetable includes periods of private practice time for sitting and walking meditation. Some people find it helpful to bring a craft activity to accompany times of private sitting meditation. If you decide to do this, the craft should be very simple and not likely to stimulate thoughts. The Desert Fathers and Mothers were famous for weaving baskets!

Practical information

A detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending a week or two before it begins (or is available on request sooner). The retreat starts on Friday at 4:30pm with an orientation talk, followed by a period of silent meditation before dinner. Short talks across the weekend will be balanced with periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, time for private reflection and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The retreat will finish at 3pm after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:30am with meditation practice. Early morning meditation is a wonderful way to greet the day together. While we very much encourage everyone to attend this session, if this is difficult for you for any reason please don’t worry. It is always enough to do what we can – or what our life allows.

Small reflection groups, hosted by Chris, provide an opportunity for up to seven people to meet and explore together a question or two about their meditation practice, or how practice relates to what they have heard during a talk or to daily life. We can learn so much sharing with and listening to others.

Venue, accommodation, meals and costs

Launde Abbey is a beautiful and peaceful venue, nestled in the Leicestershire countryside. It offers a quiet and spacious setting ideal for stillness, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Prices include all retreat resources, accommodation and meals.

The retreat cost is £350 (standard room) or £380 (character room). However their early bird rate is £330 (standard room) or £360 (character room) if booked before their deadline.

It may be possible for you to extend your stay at Launde Abbey by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey if you would like to discuss this.

Event leader

Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in England. Chris’ monastic teachers taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala, India.

Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.

Chris is the author of The Missing Peace | Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness  published by Canterbury Press in the Autumn.

Testimonials

“I especially appreciated the good balance between talks, group meditation and private practice time. I also loved the really interesting bits on shared ground with Buddhism and other world religions – and the references to women disciples and to the diminished visibility of women in the Bible. Time just slowed down and the silence was liberating. A huge and heartfelt thank you for a complete reset.”

“The atmosphere of quiet, stillness and peace soaked the weekend – the time and space to rest, the rhythm of talk and practise, the gentleness of the flow of the days each guided in love and wisdom. The talks were rich, revealing, refreshing and beautifully radical – they lifted the soul and challenged the heart. Organisationally, practically and spirituality all was harmony “

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