OPENING TO THE UNIVERSAL CHRIST:
THE INTER-SPIRITUAL INVITATION OF CENTERING PRAYER
“In the Presence of God there is neither male nor female, white nor black, Gentile nor Jew, Protestant nor Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, nor Muslim, but a human spirit stripped to the literal substance of itself before God.” – Howard Thurman
- Are you looking for a break from the busyness of life to rest in stillness and to reconnect with yourself?
- Are you longing to step away from the distractions of everyday life and nourish your spiritual center?
- Join this summer’s retreat to get away from the norm and reconnect with your true self and God alive within you.
This retreat focuses on Centering Prayer as a path back to the “original religious experience.” Centering Prayer with practice may brings us to the immediate experience of God, the Divine Mystery, lovingly present within.
This loving Mystery is only “named” after the direct experience. Afterward, the mind “turns on” and begins to interpret, filter, and put into words that which is experienced only in silence. Hence, contemplatives of all great traditions speak the same silent language, practicing silence in deep prayer and meditation.
We explore how contemplation leads us toward greater unity among people with different belief systems and returns us to the original spiritual experience.
Highlights of the Retreat:
- God as the Ground of Being: Explore God as the very foundation of existence and our direct experience of the Divine.
- Return to the Original Spiritual Experience: Discover how contemplative prayer brings us back to the primal encounter with the Divine Mystery.
- Interconnection of Religion, Spirituality, and Mysticism: Explore the relationship between these aspects and how they unite us beyond belief systems
Join this silent retreat to deepen your understanding and practice of Centering Prayer, reconnecting with the Divine Mystery at the heart of all religious experiences.
Retreat Director
Retreat Details – Friday, July 18th – Monday, July 21st
- Arrival: after 3:00 pm on Friday, July 18
- Retreat begins with an optional centering prayer sit at 5pm
- Conversation and buffet dinner, 5:30-6:30 pm
- Departure: after lunch at 12:00 am, Monday, July 21
- First optional session: 7:00 pm Friday evening
Retreat Location
Contemplative Outreach St. Louis Welcomes You!
We warmly welcome all who seek “God’s first language of silence” that centers us, including:
- Global Contemplative Outreach members
- Regional Contemplative Outreach Chapter members
- 12-Step participants
- CO Missouri Living Flame members
- Young Contemplatives
- The Closer than Breath Community
- And others on the contemplative path and beginners
Waitlist available when retreat fills up. Space is limited.
Attending a Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop and familiarity with Thomas Keating’s beginners book, “Open Mind, Open Heart” is highly recommended but not required.
Gratitude to Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
We gratefully acknowledge a generous financial gift from Contemplative Outreach Ltd., which will help make this retreat with Keith Kristich more accessible to all.*
All inclusive Retreat Pricing
This is an overnight, residential retreat experience.
All accommodation prices below include:
* Retreat Accommodation Options
Early Bird Special ends February 14th, 2025
Registration closes on June 26, 2025*
*(MCRC may allow retreatants after this date email retreats@centeringprayerstl.com )
Double Occupancy per person and Private Bath
Single Room and Shared Bath (Jack and Jill Style bath)
Twin Single and Private Bath
Queen Single and Private Bath
Waitlist available when retreat fills up. Space is limited.
NOTE: If you are interested in adding one or two extra self directed days after our retreat, please contact Kristin at Mercy kgoldkamp@mercycenterstl.org
For more information or inquiries for partial scholarships, email retreats@centeringprayerstl.com