Experiences in Contemplative Ecology

This summer, we are fortunate to have Douglas Christie at the monastery leading a weekend retreat, Cultivating a Sense of Place: The Practice of Contemplative Ecology and public conversation, Reflections on a Contemplative Ecology. Both are open to all. The retreat takes place Friday, August 18 – Sunday, August 20 and the public conversation, which is part of the weekend retreat, takes place on Sunday, August 20 from 1:00-2:30 pm. These are both in-person events. We hope you can join us!

Cultivating a Sense of Place: The Practice of Contemplative Ecology Retreat

Silence. Retrieving contemplative traditions from their roots with the earliest Christian monastics. Nature. Contemplation as a way to respond to environmental issues. Douglas Christie leads a retreat where you can learn, pray, rest, sink into silence and be catalyzed for deeper care for the earth. He invites us to explore the historical roots of the Christian contemplative tradition, to engage Benedictine spirituality more deeply, to practice with each other, to be renewed and to lean into the power of a contemplative ecology for our shared life together. This is not a silent retreat.

Leader

Douglas Christie is a scholar of ancient Christian contemplative traditions, including the Benedictine tradition. His work illuminates and amplifies three of the Monastery’s primary charisms – contemplation, a strong sense of place and care for the earth. Emphasizing the relationship between contemplation and ecology, the retreat will be ordered toward contemplative dialogues, and will be something that renews the spirits of environmental activists as well as contemplatives. He balances contemplation and activism, grounds us in this particular place and supports us in our special obligation of care for the earth.

Dates & times

August 18, 10:00 am – August 20, 3:00 pm, 2023

Schedule

Friday, August 18th

  •  2:00-4:00 pm: Session I: Contemplative Ecology: Learning to See and Cherish the World
  • 7:00-8:30 pm: Practicum

Saturday, August 19th

  • 9:00-11:00 am: Session II: The Art of Attention
  • 2:00-4:00 pm: Session III: Cultivating a Sense of Place
  • 7:00-8:30 pm: Practicum

Sunday, August 20th

  • 9:00 am: Worship with Sunday Assembly
  • 1:00 pm: Public Lecture: “Reflections on a Contemplative Ecology”

Cost

$275/person, includes retreat August 18-20 and public lecture on August 20 (no need to register for both); lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Does not include overnight lodging at the monastery.

If you’d like to stay at the monastery, contact Brooke Livingston at blivingston@holywisdommonastery.org or 608-836-1631, x100. Rooms are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration

Please register by August 9, 2023 for the retreat. The public conversation on Sunday is included in the registration for the retreat so there is no need to register for both.

There is a 25% cancellation fee if you cancel by August 4 and a 50% cancellation fee if you cancel after August 4, 2023.

Register for the Cultivating a Sense of Place Retreat

Reflections on a Contemplative Ecology Event

This public conversation with Douglas Christie culminates the retreat led by him, Cultivating a Sense of Place: The Practice of Contemplative Ecology, and as such widens out the conversation about contemplation as a way to respond to environmental issues and concerns. Douglas, an academic theologian, writer and contemplative explores the historical roots of the Christian contemplative tradition, engages Benedictine spirituality more deeply, teaches and leads practices and invites participants to lean into the power of a contemplative ecology for our shared life together and shared commitment to care for the earth

Date & Time

August 20, 2023 from 1:00-2:30 pm

Cost

$20/person

Registration

Please register by August 14, 2023 for the public conversation. If you are registered for the retreat, there is no need to register for the conversation event because it is included in the retreat. If you wish only to participate in the conversation, please register with the button below.

There is a 25% cancellation fee if you cancel by August 14 and a 50% cancellation fee if you cancel after August 14, 2023.

Register for the Reflections on a Contemplative Ecology Event
Register for the Cultivating a Sense of Place Retreat
Register for the Reflections on a Contemplative Ecology Event
Read an Excerpt from The Blue Sapphire by Douglas Christie