Contemplative Retreats

photo of bench by lake Get away for some quiet or an extended time in nature. Pre-registration is required so we know how many to expect. Please register on our website or by calling the Journey Center at 707-578-2121.

Centering Prayer Retreat Day

Sunday, February 5 (cancelled), May 6, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Do you long for the space to experience an extended time of quiet and a chance to center more extensively with a group? This retreat day will offer silence, a variety of contemplative prayer practices, such as prayer walk, lectio divina and journaling, as well as several centering prayer sits. More>

View the Centering Prayer Retreat poster

NEW!! Opening the Heart's Gate through the Rhythm of Word and Silence: Hearing Jesus' Parables as Zen Christian Koans (Introduction & Retreat)

Introductory Evening on Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Silent Retreat Day on Saturday, February 25, 2012, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
You are invited to join Revs. David and Christy Parks-Ramage for one or both of the events below. The parables and sayings of Jesus, used in silent prayer and meditation as koans, open our hearts to God's healing presence. More>

View the Opening the Heart's Gate poster

Friday Night Introductory Evening
This is an introduction to silent meditation and the use of parables as Zen Christian Koans. Jesus used stories (he called them parables) to help people experience the realm of God's presence (kingdom of God). In this he was like the ancient Ch"an Masters of China who taught using stories called koans. A koan is a story or statement that cannot be understood by rational thinking, but is understood intuitively. The parables and sayings of Jesus, used in silent prayer and meditation as koans, open our hearts to God’s healing presence.

Saturday Retreat/A Quiet Day for Spiritual Exploration and Discovery
You are the light of the world. Jesus
That solitary brightness is you. Linji
Our day together will be held in the stillness of God’s presence. Inviting Spirit to lead, we will use the spiritual discipline of silent meditation as we keep company with the parables and sayings of Jesus. The words of Jesus come alive in new ways when we hear them from a place of silence. Like Zen Koans, the parables of Jesus are explorations rather than explanations of sacred reality. When used in silent prayer and meditation as koans, they open the heart's gate to our true life in God.

Facilitators: David and Christy bring a life-long passion for the spiritual life to their ministry. Both are actively engaged with the interfaith dialogue between Christianity and Buddhism, bringing the experience of meditation to their Christian faith. Christy has an M.A. in comparative religion from Indiana University. David is a spiritual director trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. David and Christy both studied with Henri Nouwen while students at Yale Divinity School. They have engaged in the practice of ministry for 30 years.
Cost: The Friday evening session is $10. The Saturday retreat is $20. If you register for both events, the total cost is $25. Registration is required. Please bring a bag lunch for Saturday.
Location: Both events will be held at The Journey Center, Santa Rosa