Following the Mystics
              Through the Narrow Gate

April 30—May 2, 2010

Facilitator:   James Finley, Ph.D.

Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate that leads to life and few there are who enter it." In this retreat we will follow the mystics through this narrow gate. This means to follow the mystics through the mysterious process in which we realize God is the very reality of ourselves, others and all things. Seeing God in all things and all things in God we experience the peace that surpasses understanding.

The mystics that will be singled out as our guides will be those that have most influenced and guided me on my own ongoing spiritual journey: Meister Eckhart, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila, John Ruusbroec, Mechthild of Magdeberg, Julian of Norwich and Thomas Merton. Rather than focus on any single mystic, we will instead zero in on the ways in which each mystic attempts to help us to understand and pass through the following critical phases of our journey of spiritual awakening. Topics covered in the conferences of this retreat include:

• Recognizing and passing through the obstacle we encounter as we begin to enter this vast interior realm of the Spirit.
• Noting the methods and ways of praying and meditating that enhance each phase of spiritual awakening.
• Discovering the narrow gate in the paradoxical sense in which only God and all that is of God passes through
• How each mystic attempts to help us prepare for the life of love that blossoms in passing through this gate.

Sorry, this retreat is full

TIMES:

Friday, April 30th 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Dinner at 615 pm. Ends on Sunday, May 2nd after lunch.