Our Mission
We are a center for experiential education, rooted in the Gospels, encouraging the transformation of human consciousness through contemplation, and equipping people to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
Wisdom School
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date: January 20 – 23, 2011
Conference Evaluation | Presenters | Conference Materials
Overview
Wisdom School brought together Cynthia Bourgeault and Richard Rohr, both gifted teachers in the ancient wisdom ways of contemplative prayer, particularly as it supports the emergence of non-dualistic thinking and action.
Participants worked with the core Christian practices of contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina, but added to them the specific wisdom methods of self-observation, conscious work, and sacred gesture, in order to facilitate the opening of what is classically known as “the third eye,” or non-dual perception. The goal was not only to deepen our personal spiritual lives, but to raise human consciousness, leading to the ultimate transformation of society.
Conference Highlights
- 65 people attended this conference
- 100% of attendees found the conference to be a very beneficial experience
- 96% of attendees considered the presenters to be the most significant factor when deciding to attend
What Attendees Said About this Event:
“Superb, challenging and informative.”
“This conference was a real break through! Thanks!”
“I discovered the conscious work to be very helpful and a great balance of practice. “
“Cynthia opened many doors for me to explore.”
“I’ve heard Richard many years, but he’s now bringing me to a totally different level.”
Conference Evaluation
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Presenters
Cynthia Bourgeault Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude on Eagle Island, Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is the founding director and principal teacher and advisor to The Contemplative Society. She also founded the Aspen Wisdom School. Cynthia is the author of: Chanting the Psalms, Mystical Hope, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Love is Stronger Than Death, The Wisdom Jesus, and The Meaning of Mary Magdalene. She has also authored or contributed to numerous articles and courses on the Christian spiritual life. She is a past Fellow of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural research at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN, and an oblate of New Camaldoli Monastery in Big Sur, California.
Richard Rohr Internationally known author and spiritual teacher, and is a Franciscan of the New Mexico province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He considers the proclamation of the Gospel to be his primary call and the related themes he addresses include eco-spirituality, scripture as liberation, the integration of action and contemplation, community building, peace and justice issues, male spirituality, and the Enneagram. He is a regular contributing writer for Sojourners and Tikkun magazines. Some of his best known books include: Everything Belongs; Radical Grace: Daily Meditations; Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation; The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective; From Wild Men to Wise Men: Reflections on Male Spirituality; and On The Threshold Of Transformation: Daily Meditations for Men. His most recent books include Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent which is available now and his upcoming book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life which is now available through the Mustard Seed resource center. Fr. Richard has also been a featured essayist on NPR’s “This I Believe” and a guest of Dr. Mehmet Oz on the “Oprah and Friends” radio show; he also appears in the 2006 documentary, ONE, featuring spiritual teachers from around the world. Visit the Mustard Seed Resource Center for all Fr. Richard's works.
Conference Materials
Supplemental Teachings from the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD:
- Parables of Exchange and Abundance in the Teachings of Jesus
- “Reciprocal Feeding” Logia from The Gospel of Thomas
- The Jesus teaching in a nutshell
- Centering Prayer as Witnessing Practice
Suggested reading list from Rev. Bourgeault's book The Wisdom Way of Knowing
Directory of Conference Attendees
Acknowledgements
The Center for Action and Contemplation offers our sincere gratitude to all the staff members, volunteers, presenters, and participants who made this conference possible, as well as to all of the attendees for joining with us to grow around this vital topic for our world.
