“Contemplation is a change in consciousness. It brings us to see the big picture. . . to see beyond our own boundaries, beyond our own denominations, beyond even our own doctrines and dogmas and institutional self-interest, straight into the face of a mothering God from whose womb has come all the life that is.” Joan Chittister
Christian Contemplative Ministries at St. Barnabas is about diving deep into the Heart of Divine Reality. Everyone has the capacity to engage in contemplation and grow deeper in their relationship with the Cosmic Christ. “You are made both of and for contemplation. It is the secret longing of your being. . . It is in the wilderness of your heart that you discover a reality beyond every religious form.” Beverly Lanzetta
We invite you to learn how to live into the non-dual Reality of Divine Love. This ability is developed through conscious, intentional practice that we engage in together and follow individually when we are apart. Our practices engage heart, mind, and body—the three centers of knowing for human beings.
Opportunities to practice and develop in Contemplative Wisdom include:
Centering Prayer
“Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence… a prayer in which we can experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.” Thomas Keating
St. Barnabas hosts a Centering Prayer gathering every Tuesday at 9 am in the Sanctuary. Our time together features an opening body prayer, a chant, 20 minutes of silence for Centering Prayer or other meditation, a reading (presently reading Meister Eckhart’s Book of Darkness and Light: Meditations on the Path of the Wayless Way) followed by an opportunity for reflections.
All are most welcome, even if you have no experience with Centering Prayer or Meditation. Come, sit in the envelope of silence and absorb the Presence. Your presence is your gift.
Contemplative Wisdom Gatherings
Our world is full of busy-ness as we are inundated each day with more stimuli than we can process with any kind of understanding and meaning, frequently leaving us depleted and unable to be present to the abiding love of God.
The prayer of the contemplative is, essentially, an attention to the omnipresence of the God who is Love. God/Love is omnipresent not as a theological doctrine, but as the great silence that is present in every moment—but from which we are usually distracted by an overactive mind that refuses to wait in a humble unknowing for a pure wisdom from above.
You are invited to discover this Contemplation which yields to Wisdom as we gather to read, mark and inwardly digest, Silence by Robert Sardello.
This winter/spring, our gatherings will occur monthly on Saturday mornings, beginning on January 10, 9:30 – Noon. All gatherings include intentional body practice, chant, silence for meditation, and small and whole group discussion.
For dates and planned readings for each gathering, please register with The Rev. Patricia Robertson. Please join us, even if you have never done so before. Discover the gift of wisdom and love that emerges in silence, and expand loving Presence in the world.
Our Labyrinth
A Labyrinth has been installed and blessed on the grounds of St. Barnabas, adjacent to the lower patio next to the parish hall (also called the Close), and is available for walking meditation at your convenience. There will be group opportunities for learning and walking provided periodically. Check here for any upcoming events.
From The Rev. Patricia Rome Robertson
I am so grateful to the Rector of St. Barnabas Church for inviting me to focus on the spiritual work that has meant so much to me for many years. I’ve been a regular practitioner of Contemplative Wisdom since 1998 when Thomas Keating came to the parish where I was serving for a weekend of teaching and practice of Centering Prayer. That practice, along with engagement of Wisdom School teachings with Cynthia Bourgeault, started me on the road of learning about the transformation that spiritual practice brings about in individuals and communities and yes, I believe, the world. This is important work, developing and awakening of the spiritual heart and body awareness that is embedded in all human beings but often lies dormant. Please feel free to email me with questions about this ministry. Join us for a deepening of your life in Christ!