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The Journey of Christian Meditation

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About|Details|What our students say|Tutor(s)|Related short courses

Home Short Courses Christian Spirituality Contemporary Spirituality Human Flourishing The Journey of Christian Meditation

About the The Journey of Christian Meditation course

So much to know, or is there?
Sometimes I want to read all the
great pieces of literature – all the writings of
mystics and theologians. Yet I would not trade this knowledge
for the experience of You – your gift to me.

(extract from Sky Prayer by Eileen O’Hea)

Experiences of God, through the lives of Christian mystics, offer windows of insight through diaries, sermons, books, reflections, music and art. And often, even if these experiences were short lived, the impact has lasted a lifetime.
Alongside these experiences and certainly underpinning them has been a life of deep prayer, often referred to as meditation or contemplation.

Until relatively recently, deep prayer of this type was not part of the ordinary person’s experience, being thought more appropriate to those with a religious vocation. However, in recent years something has changed, a metanoia is taking place, and people like you and me are finding a deepening spirituality through meditation, Lectio Divina and mind/body/spirit practices.

In the first half of this day of reflection, we will explore the nature of mysticism through the lives of some significant historical figures in the Christian tradition. We will also ponder the influence of a few 20th-century contemporary mystics on our modern society seeking to explore and grow their relationship with God, sometimes outside conventional church.

During the second part we will look at the personal experience of meditation and what following the path of meditation may mean to those who embark on it, both in their prayer life and in the ordinary activities of daily life, along with a brief look at some similarities and differences between secular mindfulness and meditation. Interspersed throughout the day you will also be offered the opportunity to reflect on some of the issues raised and be introduced to the simple practice of silent meditation in the Christian tradition.

Timetable:
10:00 -11:15             Session 1 
11:15-11:45              Tea/Coffee break
11:45-13:00            Session 2 
13:00-13:45             Lunch 
13:45-15:00             Session 3 
15:00-15:30             Tea/Coffee break
15:30-16:00            Final Reflection Session 

About the course leader
Rosalind (Roz) Stockley has been a meditator for many years and is a member of The World Community for Christian Meditation (wccm.org). She has held a number of voluntary roles helping to facilitate the work of the community, including in schools. Her current role is Chair of the Trustee Board for the registered charity WCCM in the UK (wccm.uk), the national community of WWCM. During her working life she was both a Chartered Accountant and Director as well as an Existential Psychotherapist in private practice.

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The In person course #2702 with B&B the night before ticket sales has ended!
The Salisbury CMD (in-person) course #2702 ticket sales has ended!

Details

Dates & Times

03 Mar 2023
Expired!
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Category

Christian Spirituality
Contemporary Spirituality
Human Flourishing

Course code

2702

Other Notes

This is an in-person course to be held at Sarum College.

The course fee includes lunch and refreshments.

The course is free for those eligible for the Salisbury Diocese Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) programme.

If you need to check eligibility and / or terms & conditions for the booking, please contact parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org

What our students say

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Read more 

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

Read more

The Road Not Taken

Sarum Graduate Mike Truman

January 2022

Five years ago, I told my Warden of Readers that I would not be renewing my licence when it expired in 2019, as I thought my faith was becoming too unorthodox for a Church of England licensed lay minister. As someone who knew me well, she challenged me to actively explore what I did still believe. Thus started the journey that ended last August with the dissertation completing my MA in Theology Imagination and Culture (MATIC) at Sarum College.

Read more 

Clergy Study Breaks

The opportunity for clergy to get away occasionally from their own context, to have an overnight stay in the beautiful setting of Sarum College and all that the Salisbury Cathedral Close offers is hugely valuable. All the clergy I have suggested who have spent 24hrs at Sarum College have benefit greatly from the experienced mentoring where they can talk, reflect, think, plan and pray.

The support and encouragement they receive is excellent and has a positive on their on going ministry. This is something the Diocese of Rochester encourages and supports financially in preparation for their clergy preparing for Extended Ministerial Development Leave (Sabbatical).

— Canon Christopher Dench, Diocese of Rochester Director of Formation and Ministry

Retreats and Private Stays

When I arrived, exhausted and sensitive, I was grateful not to be asked by Reception were I came from, whether I had had a good journey etc. That was the kind of hospitality I needed: a non-intrusive welcome that was found in ancient cultures and still survives in some societies today, where the host asks questions about a stranger and his journey only when the visitor has rested and been given food and drink.

— guest on a private stay

Biblical Study Breaks

I just found it very refreshing – as a leader of a church I don’t get as many opportunities to step out and do courses (my fault, not the church!) and so I loved it. I think it was run really well online – which is a difficult medium to work with.

Pádraig Ó Tuama (pictured) was outstanding in his balance of getting us to engage and sharing his learning. Also the quick availability of resources provided by Sarum College Librarian Jayne Downey was excellent.

— course participant, Story Theology: Narrative Approaches to Scripture

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