Following the Mystics through the Narrow Gate

October 28-30, 2011
Begins Friday at 6:00 pm with dinner
Concludes Sunday after lunch

REGISTRATION CLOSED

A Silent Retreat

Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate that leads to life and few there are who enter it." In this retreat we will follow the mystics through this narrow gate. This means to follow the mystics through the mysterious process in which we realize God is the very reality of ourselves, others and all things. Seeing God in all things and all things in God we experience the peace that surpasses understanding.

The mystics that will be singled out as our guides will be those that have most influenced and guided me on my own ongoing spiritual journey: Meister Eckhart, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila, John Ruusbroec, Mechthild of Magdeberg, Julian of Norwich and Thomas Merton. Rather than focus on any single mystic, we will instead zero in on the ways in which each mystic attempts to help us to understand and pass through the critical phases of our journey of spiritual awakening.

After the opening session on Friday night, this retreat will be silent, and will conclude with liturgy on Sunday. Be sure to reserve well in advance as Jim's retreats always fill up quickly.

Resources

Please click the links below to read and print out some important resources.

Welcome Letter
Retreat Schedule
Campus Map

Suggested Reading

• John of the Cross, Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross (William Johnston, trans.)
• The Cloud of Unknowing (William Johnston, preface)
• Thomas Merton, The Inner Experience: Notes on Contemplation
• Cyprian Smith, The Way of Paradox: Spiritual Life as Taught by Meister Eckhart
• Theresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
• Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism

RETREAT LEADER

Jim Finley, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and former Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton was his spiritual director. He has written extensively about Merton and Christian meditation, and has given silent retreats throughout the United States and Canada. His books include The Contemplative Heart, Merton’s Palace of Nowhere, and Christian Meditation.

REGISTRATION

call (650) 340-7454 for registration assistance.

CANCELLATION

Please read our cancellation policy.

Photo of gate courtesy of Davide Tambuchi