We are delighted that Tim Stead has agreed at short notice to lead Silence by the Sea in place of Janet and Richard. He will not be delivering exactly the same retreat as they would. But there will be many similarities, including the timetable, which is why we are not deleting any of the further information supplied lower down this page.
Tim is a former C of E vicar and an accredited mindfulness teacher currently based in Oxford where he seeks to make his home and accompanying meditation barn a space for exploring meditation and engagement with current social and political issues. Meditation is the core, drawing on both mindfulness and the spiritual traditions. Current issues include supporting asylum seekers, and engaging with anti-racism and eco-activism. Tim is the author of two books on mindfulness and spirituality.
Tim’s approach for this retreat would be to draw on various strands of contemplative practice in order to create the appropriate space for each of us to be our own teacher for these three days. The sessions will include gently guided meditations together with some input designed to help us each to come close to our own experience. And in this way perhaps to begin to see and experience differently.
The gentle arc of the three days will be flexible but will take us through: grounding practices with the breath and the body; to deepening awareness; to facing challenge and difficulty in practice and in life; to exploring the role of compassion. However, more importantly, it will be you and what you bring which will be the true curriculum.
The retreat will not draw directly on Cynthia Bourgeault’s work (as Janet Lake and Richard Sloan do) but will be consistent with her ‘non-dual’ approach and with centring prayer. The retreat programme and ethos will be as originally planned with some minor adjustments.
PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE YOU BOOK. :-)
You would need already a regular meditation practice and a wish to deepen your spiritual life.
Discerning the appropriateness of this retreat for you...
Ethos of this Retreat
“It’s not about knowing more, but about knowing with more of ourself... about increasing our capacity for spiritual perception from an awakened heart”. (Cynthia Bourgeault)
Spiritual practice is not about acquiring anything. Rather, it’s a “surrendering of deeply imbedded resistances that allows the sacred within gradually to reveal itself...” (Martin Laird)
The design of the retreat is to help us in this task.
General Information
You would need already a regular meditation practice and a wish to deepen your spiritual life.
Silence
Silence is requested at all times after supper on the first evening until coffee time on the last morning. Talking is possible outside (but only if you’ve agreed with the other person to talk), or when participating in a session. Obviously speak when there’s a practical need, but please keep the spirit of silence.
Important Request
Commitment to all aspects of the programme would be appreciated for us to build ‘one body'...and prompt arrival for the start of each session, especially for meditation.
Setting
Othona is by the Sea...shingle beach and lovely walks. Please bring suitable clothing.
Mobile phones, i-pads, Laptops
We recommend you keep the use of these to a minimum...preferably turn them off whilst in retreat.
PROGRAMME: SILENCE BY THE SEA 6 - 9 Oct 2021
Arrivals from 11.30
Wednesday
1.00 Lunch ... clearing up and community induction to us
4.00 - 5.30 Session 1
(5.30 Setting tables)
6.00 Meditation
6.30 Supper and clearing up tasks
7.30 - 8.30 Session 2
8.30 - 9.00 Meditation
Thursday
7.30 Meditation
8.30 Breakfast and clearing up tasks
9.30 - 11.00 Session 3
11.30 - 12.40 Mindful Work
1.00 Lunch and clearing up tasks, and free time
5. 30 (setting tables)
6.00 Chants/Meditation
6.30 Supper and clearing up tasks
7.30 - 8.30 Session 4
8.30 - 9.00 Meditation
Friday
Timings as for Thursday
Saturday
7.30 Meditation
8.30 Breakfast and clearing up
9.30 - 11.00 Session 7
11.30 Sharing and final thoughts
12.15 Final Ceremony
1.00 Lunch and departures.