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A Christine Spring
As Spring arrives, I find myself contemplating the change of seasons and the evolution of new life. It is not unlike our spiritual paths. Just a short 4.6 billion years ago, you and I (and everything around us) were stardust. About 3 billion years ago, the molten rock and poisonous atmosphere that was the Earth, evolved to give rise to life, the forms of which now have a beautiful and breathtaking variety. We collections of animated stardust now contemplate the stars. We are parts of the universe and we are aware of ourselves, so in us the universe is conscious of itself. As realizations go, that one seems particularly profound.
Our evolution, however, is not merely physical. We also evolve spiritually, and there is a special kind of joy and depth in moving from seeing ourselves as being (an important first step) to knowing ourselves as becoming. Over the past few years, I’ve come to see my spiritual self, like spring, as an evolutionary process, as a continuous process of dying to what was and emerging into what will be.
Grounded in the Christian tradition as I am, I see this dying and resurrection as “the way” of which Jesus spoke, although I understand it is not exclusively a Christian notion. As far as I can tell, it’s a universal component of spirituality, though expressed in various ways.
People from a wide array of traditions come to the Christine Center to experience their own spiritual evolution, their own spiritual becoming, and I am proud of the assistance we can offer. Two upcoming retreats, for example, feature world-renowned leaders Robert Sardello and Andrew Harvey. These two, along with our many other retreat leaders, enable us to offer you spiritual guidance of unique depth, breadth, and quality. I urge you to take full advantage of what you can find here.
Come: Grow with us, explore with us, and sing Spring into being with us!
Russell King, executive director
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The Christine Center is privileged to feature
two internationally renowned authors
in April and May
,
Robert Sardello
, April 19-23
AND
Andrew Harvey
, May 24-27
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A Christine Center Retreat
with
Robert Sardello
April 19-23, 2018 (Thursday – Monday)
Hosted by S. Gabriele Uhlein
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Join Robert Sardello for a transformative 4-day journey into the heart. Entering, discover cognition awakening in entirely new ways under inner heart guidance. Drawing on heart-practice from multiple spiritual traditions and grounded in the liminal life-work of Robert Sardello, this retreat invites us to conscious heart-mind and an awakening to the spiritual gift our time.
“Never in the history of humanity has there been a more important time to understand and embark on a journey into the heart. We vividly see the results of abandoning heart-presence for brain-presence. We see the enormous success of rationality, cognition, science, technology, economy, and politics. We also are now encountering the limits and destructiveness of relying exclusively on the brain.”
–
Robert Sardello
“We will look at the tradition of the way of the heart – in India, among Christian mystics, Native Americans, Yogis of the Himalayas – each of whom had different ways of entering the heart.”
–
Robert Sardello
“Whatever Sardello touches breaks open with startling new meaning. Now he enters the arena of our cultural disorders so that we can suddenly see them afresh. I have thieved privately from his mind for fifteen years. At last his work is out, available to anyone recognizing the need to reimagine the soul’s plight in a world astray”.
–
James Hillman
, founder of archetypal psychology and author of the New York Times best seller “The Soul’s code: In search of Character and Calling”.
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Hope and Sacred Activism
with
Andrew Harvey
May 24-27, 2018 (Thursday – Sunday)
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Andrew Harvey will present his vision of Sacred Activism, the Holy and transforming force that is born when the profound peace, passion, and stamina of deep spirituality is combined with radical action.
He will present by drawing on his books; The Hope – a guide to Sacred Activism, Savage Grace the five Sacred Passions, and the nine Laws of Sacred Activism, along with the fundamental practices that can ground you in Divine peace, joy, strength and give you the energy to persist and thrive even in difficult circumstances.
Guidance will also be given into inner and outer shadow work that is essential for the success of Sacred Action.
You will leave this retreat with renewed hope, purpose and meaning and have simple essential tools in which to confront with Grace the challenges our contemporary crisis inevitably poses.
Watch this video between Andrew Harvey and Jean Feraca:
“A spirituality that is only private and self-absorbed, one devoid of an authentic political and social consciousness, does little to halt the suicidal juggernaut of history. On the other hand, an activism that is not purified by profound spiritual and psychological self-awareness and rooted in divine truth, wisdom, and compassion will only perpetuate the problem it is trying to solve, however righteous its intentions. When, however, the deepest and most grounded spiritual vision is married to a practical and pragmatic drive to transform all existing political, economic, and social institutions, a holy force – the power of wisdom and love in action – is born. This force I define as Sacred Activism.”
–
Andrew Harvey
Hildegard of Bingen, a great Sacred Activist of her time, wrote; “Humanity, full of creative possibilities, is God’s work. Humanity is called upon to assist God. Humanity is called to co-create with God.” These words by the great 12th century Christian woman saint challenge us all, whatever our religious or spiritual belief, to do three linked things: to uncover our own divine nature through prayer and meditation, to attune our hearts and will to the will of God for the transformation of the earth, and to devote and pour out all our God-given life energies in creativity, service, and justice-making so that divine reality can be increasingly embodied in the world.
Every age has its teachers, who keep the eternal truths alive for all of us. In the case of Andrew Harvey, the light he sheds is like a meteor bursting across the inner sky.”
–
Marianne Williamson
,
author of The Age of Miracles
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Don't miss these additional April offerings!
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Aging into Higher Consciousness
April 10 – 12 (Tuesday-Thursday)
With Delmarie Gibney, FSPA and Lucia Leck, M.Ed.
Join us in exploring aging as nature’s way of luring us deep into the discovery of who we are, bringing us to the pinnacle of our personal and spiritual development. Hosted close to the time of the spring and fall equinoxes, when life is either budding forth or being harvested, we focus on our own aging process. We look back at who we have been or forward to who we are becoming.
Learn more
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The Compassionate Heart
April 13-15 (Friday-Sunday)
With Johanna Seubert, FSPA
and Henrita Frost, SSND
Discover the power of the human heart for compassion. Empowered by the practice of Loving Kindness Meditation allow yourself to engage in a journey with compassion. Sense it flowing from your experience of self-compassion and moving to embracing all beings and the environment with an all-inclusive loving kindness – omitting none, as we offer healing to the Global Community.
Learn More
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Sacred Soul: The Yoga Shamanic Way
April 13-15 (Friday-Sunday)
With Wendy Billie
Weaving together 2 ancient healing arts of Yoga & Shamanism, join Wendy Billie as she takes you on a journey to your sacred soul. Access the magic & mystery of the natural world around and within us. Merging with the elemental medicine wheel, Wendy will guide you to connect with the depth of your soul’s knowing while also receiving guidance from the outer spiritual world.
Learn More
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Yoga Nidra 24
April 17-18 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
With Tracy Chipman, MA, CYT, AYS
Enjoy 24 hours of Restoration and Rejuvenation through the easiest yoga practice of all – simple, deep, natural rest! The Christine Center welcomes you to a monthly day designated for health, well-being, and ease.
Yoga Nidra, also known as
‘Yogic Sleep’
is an ancient practice that offers very deep rest. It is a systematic method, creating an experience of restful alertness allowing the physiology, the neurology and subconscious mind to sink into a deep wellspring of relaxation and rest. Please join Tracy in the sanctuary of the Christine Center for this delicious gift given to and received by your sweet self.
Learn More
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Sound and Silence
April 25-27 (Wednesday-Friday)
With Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, PhD (right)
and Wendy Kohlhaas, ICS, CSAC, LPN
Two practices based on praying from the heart frame this retreat. Sounds produced by gemstone crystal and Tibetan bowls help purify and raise the vibration of the body. The pure sound helps you release aches and tensions of a lifetime. Sacred singing, mantras, toning and giving voice can move us toward higher states of well-being. Learn and practice simple chants to pray when there are no words. Each tone makes its journey into deep places within the soul and align us with divine harmony.
Learn More
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New Walk-In Cooler:
Compliments of the Wheaton Franciscans
By Ann Swanson, fund development coordinator
I was standing at the window of the front office the other day and a guest who was checking in asked about the addition to the main building, just to the right of the silo’s main entrance. Good question! It’s our new walk-in cooler!
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At the Christine Center, our busy kitchen staff serves approximately 20,000 meals per year. Yes, 20,000. Just imagine the skill and planning that are required to make the healthful meals that nourish the minds, bodies and souls of our many guests. Now imagine the amount of groceries and the space necessary to safely store all of this food. It was quickly apparent that we were outgrowing our smaller cooler and needed a larger walk-in cooler.
Through a generous grant from the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, we were able to construct our new walk-in cooler. Tracy Hart, kitchen manager, is working closely with our maintenance staff to transition to the new cooler which will be in full use very soon. The previous smaller cooler is being converted into storage for non-perishable food items.
All of us at the Christine Center offer our sincere gratitude to the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters for their ongoing support of the Center and its mission. Their gift helps us provide for the spiritual needs of our guests and the continued upkeep of the Center’s buildings and grounds. We are so thankful!
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We are eternally grateful for your donations!
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Or mail your gift to
The Christine Center W8303 Mann Road Willard, WI 54493
Thank you for your support!
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