“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is”.
T.S Elliot
Reconnect to the source of who you are. Find the still point, the place of clear perception and discernment, the inner compass that guides us through what can sometimes feel like the maze of life. Yet in the busyness, noise and challenge of everyday life we can lose our felt sense of connection to this inner knowing.
As a human species we are at a turning point. We face multiple crises – progress is not assured. Will we just respond to the symptoms with temporary fixes? Or will we pause long enough to see the deeper patterns? Are we ready and willing to evolve how we live and lead, how we relate to one another and to the earth, our shared home?
Each of us has an indispensable part to play in this great turning, whoever and wherever we are. The work is too complex, too urgent and important to be done alone – we need each other – for solidarity, for collective wisdom, for support, for encouragement – which is why we invite you to gather in July.
We will be a diverse circle of people: drawn from different geographies and walks of life, united by a shared desire to lead and live more consistently from our centre, the still point that connects us to our integrity, wholeheartedness and common humanity.
We will weave together a tapestry of colourful threads as we explore these questions using poetry, silence, sharing of stories, being in nature, walking an 11 circuit hand-painted canvas labyrinth, creative activities and simple meditative practices. We will alternate time for individual reflection and journaling with opportunities for time in small groups and the larger circle to share and listen. Everything we do is by invitation, based on the understanding that you know best what you need.
On Saturday evening, you will experience a powerful discernment process, Clearness Committees, adapted from the Quaker tradition for Courage & Renewal programmes. A number of people will be invited to be a ‘Focus Person’. Each focus person will have the opportunity to explore in depth a dilemma, an important question they are facing or a personal challenge with four to six other participants, who will be members of their Clearness Committee. The members of the Clearness Committee will listen attentively and ask honest, open questions. The practices underpinning Clearness Committees date back to the 1660s and are unique, gentle and powerful, and above all trustworthy, enabling the focus person to access the still point, this place of inner wisdom.
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
