Resting in God weekend meditation retreat

Fri 6 – Sun 8 Nov, Launde Abbey, Leicestershire

Event description

In returning and rest, in quietness and trust, God draws us to the silent depths of who we are in him (Isaiah 30:15)

The essence of prayer is radically simple. As prayer deepens, it becomes less and less a matter of what we think about, what we do, and increasingly a matter of simply being, of resting within what God is doing.

But it can be difficult for us to release ourselves into its welcoming simplicity.

With help from the teachings of Julian of Norwich, Martin Laird and others, we will explore the path of interior surrender, of releasing into and resting in God through our deepening stillness and shared silence.

“Prayer is not content to stay up in the branches of our minds with all the other things we think about,” writes Martin Laird OSA, “it works its way down through the branches and trunk, into our roots where it is one with the Ground of all.”

The central focus of this experiential retreat will be silent meditation practice. We will consider such things as the subtle challenges we meet in something so simple as being still, the interior skills that develop as our practice develops, and how silence and self-forgetfulness help us to become places of peace in the world.

Surrendering our resistances, letting go of all that gives rise to the sense of separateness, we come into the open pastures of belonging where we are one with each other and all creation in the oneness of God. “When it is truly seen,” says Julian, “no person can separate themselves from another.”

In the stillness of prayer, we discover that the One we seek has never been elsewhere — only waiting to be known in the depth of our heart.

Who is this for?

The retreat has been carefully crafted to be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith, beliefs or previous experience of meditation.

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 at 16:30 on the 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!

You may wish to bring warm, comfy clothes and a waterproof jacket/umbrella for walking meditation in the event of inclement weather. A notepad and pen will also be useful.

Practical information

A detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending. The retreat starts on Friday at 4:30 pm 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 grounds. The retreat will finish after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:30 am 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 retreat delivery, accommodation and meals.

The retreat cost is £370 (standard room) or £400 (character room). However their early bird rate is £350 (standard room) or £380 (character room) if booked by 28th August.

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 upcoming book The Missing Peace being published by Canterbury Press in the Autumn.

Book here.