The Deserts Roots of Contemplative Prayer:
Emptiness, Silence & Hiddenness of Self

Belden C. Lane has long been fascinated by the relationship between geography and spirituality—asking how the place we live has an effect on our perception of the spiritual life. The desert, for example, is a place of scarcity, silence, and the deep solitude of the heart. It’s what drew the Desert Fathers and Mothers to the Egyptian desert in the 4th century. This is where the practice of contemplative prayer had its beginnings. We’ll look at three themes in the stories told by the early desert monks: the simplicity of language, radical forgiveness, and hiddenness of the self.
Flow of the Evening
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
5:30pm -6:00pm Gathering & Light Refreshments
6:00pm-6:10pm Welcome and Introductions
6:10pm-6:35pm Guidelines and Centering Prayer
6:35pm-7:15pm Presentation
7:15pm-7:30pm Break
7:30pm-8:10pm Presentation 2
8:10pm-8:25pm Q & A
8:25pm-8:30pm Introduce speaker for next EnLIGHTenment & Closing Prayer
Location:
Kirkwood Community of Christ Church
830 N Kirkwood Rd
Kirkwood, MO 6312
This event is also available on zoom. Zoom information will be emailed to zoom registrants the afternoon before the even. (and handouts if the presenter offers any)
For more information: enlightenment@centeringprayerstl.com
About the Presenter
Belden C. Lane Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he worked with the Jesuits there for 35 years, teaching the history of spirituality. His books include The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality and The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul. As a wilderness backpacker, he’s hiked much of the four-corners region of the American Southwest as well as the Missouri Ozarks. Working with Illuman, the men’s fellowship founded by Richard Rohr, he’s also helped to lead men’s Rites of Passage in wilderness areas.
“WIlderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit.” — Ed Abbey, Desert Solitaire
Google Sites: https://sites.google.com/a/slu.edu/beldenlane/
Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Belden-C.-Lane/e/B000APC1CA%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Donations
This event is free. However If you wish, please support us with a donation of your choice, which helps cover our rent, website & maintenance, other expenses and others with a scholarship fund. This is purely a suggestion and not meant to be a barrier to attendance. All are welcome.
You can donate online using the button below:
Or if you would like to send a Check for your donation, please make check out to COSTL and mail to:
COSTL c/o Susie Brent
489 Staines Ct
St. Louis, MO
63141-7518
Donations to Contemplative Outreach St. Louis are not tax-deductible.
To make a tax deductible donation, go to the International Contemplative Outreach Organization website at ContemplativeOutreach.org
Register
Registration for this event is closed. Thanks to all who attended!