Sacred gestures and movements have been a part of every sacred tradition. They are considered a means by which ancient Wisdom is preserved and passed down to future generations. Through their embodied symbolic language beyond our thinking mind, a deeper perception arises. This perception is anchored in our inner witness, in our hearts. Witnessing is a particular kind of presence, a new consciousness and a capacity to not get hooked by the circumstances of our lives. Developing witnessing presence is of primary importance in our contemplative Wisdom way of Being. This inner witness is not carried in our ordinary consciousness and mind but, as Wisdom teachers such as Cynthia Bourgeault suggest, is deeper in the body and the heart. Sacred movements allow us to access and develop our inner witness and cultivate the capacity to come from that deeper presence amidst our day to day lives.

In this Wisdom School we will be working primarily with different kinds of sacred gestures and Movements from the Gurdjieff tradition. There are many types of Movements such as ritual, prayers, dervish dances, mathematical patterns, etc. The objective of them all is that they help us access deeper perception and that they are prayers. Gurdjieff saw them as medicine. The Movements will be our teacher.

Join us on the beautiful grounds of Mercy Center Burlingame. Together we will engage a daily rhythm and practices specific to a ‘Wisdom way of knowing’; an ‘integral way of knowing’ which engages and harmonizes the three intelligence centers: thinking, feeling, and moving (body). We will experience a balance known in the Benedictine tradition as ‘ora et labora’ (prayer and work) through engaging self and one another in Movements, centering prayer or silent meditation, guided meditations, chanting, and sharing observations. Although this is not a completely silent retreat, silence will be the container.

Familiarity with the Wisdom lineage of Cynthia Bourgeault or the Gurdjieff Work is required. Some experience in Gurdjieff Movements is preferred but not essential.

Filling out the following questions are required with your registration to ensure that this retreat is a good fit for you. If you have any questions please reach out to our facilitators: Heather (heather@heatherruce.com), Joy (jandrewshayter@gmail.com), Catherine (cregan44@comcast.net).

Minimum of 25 participants required for Mercy Center staffing purposes

Schedule (subject to change) First Evening

7:00 Opening session, Great Silence from end of session up to morning teaching

Daily

6:30 am Yoga (optional)

7:00 am Guided Meditation

7:30 am Silent Breakfast

9:00 am Movements

11:15 am Break

11:30 am Centering Prayer or Silent Meditation & Chanting

12:00 pm Lunch (talking optional) followed by Private Reflection

2:30 pm  Movements

4:45 pm Break

5:00 pm Centering Prayer or Silent Meditation & Chanting

5:30 pm Silent Dinner

7:00 pm Sharing Observations from the day, Centering Prayer or Silent Meditation & Chanting

8:30 pm Private reflection/Rest in the Great Silence

Final Day

6:30 am Yoga (optional)

7:00 am Guided Meditation

7:30 am Silent Breakfast

9:00 am Movements

11:00 am Break

11:15 am Closing Circle

12:00 pm Lunch for those who wish to stay

Presenters:

Heather Ruce, M.A. is a Wisdom Spiritual Director and facilitates Wisdom practice circles, groups,  retreats, and Wisdom schools focused on the Christian Wisdom Tradition. She has been a student  of Wisdom teacher Cynthia Bourgeault for over a decade and of Gurdjieff Movements teacher Deborah Rose Long since 2016. Heather weaves her Masters in Marital & Family Therapy and training in Somatic Experiencing, Organic Intelligence & Spiritual Direction into her teaching and guidance in various Wisdom practices in service of waking up and putting on the Mind of Christ. Find out more at heatherruce.com.

Joy Andrews Hayter, Ph.D. is a spiritual director whose offerings include Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices of the Christian Wisdom tradition. She is the author of The Cosmic Web: Hope For Our World Through Science and Spirituality. Find out more at joyfulfillment.com.

Catherine Regan, Ph.D. is a spiritual director, retired psychologist, and adjunct staff member at Mercy Center, primarily serving on the Centering Prayer team. She has a special interest in participating in the reclamation of the Christian Wisdom tradition and fostering the contemplative practices so urgently needed at this time in our world.