Contemplation and Community

Inner stillness and outer action.

Do you long for a personal relationship in the Beloved, to nurture that relationship, and to discover how it informs your actions in the world? Are you familiar and comfortable with deep spiritual inquiry, group work, solitude, action, and stillness?

If so, this programme at Iona Abbey could be for you.

Contemplation

Through our Contemplation and Community programme, participants will gain insight into the nature of contemplation, how to be open to it, and how to include contemplation in our communities and in our everyday lives.

Contemplation is a way of being that we can be receptive to through certain practices. It encourages a quality of being fully present in the Presence, while following our path of service in the world. It is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition while finding common ground in other beliefs.

During our time together we will explore various spiritual exercises. We will practice these in periods of personal silence and solitude, as well as in group settings. We will undertake a deep exploration of our personal relationship with the Beloved.

Shared expectations and practicalities

By signing up to this week, you will be expected to participate fully in all sessions and be willing to explore uncomfortable boundaries.
We will follow the Iona Community’s Ways of Working, which include confidentiality, non-judgmentalism, respectful listening, and holding safe space
You will join in some allocated community tasks during the week that support our residency.
Accommodation will be offered as single-occupancy rooms at Iona Abbey. Private time is an essential component of this programme.

Facilitator

Led by Stephen Wright, this programme will draw upon the collaborative work of the Sacred Space Foundation and the Diocese of Carlisle in the St. Kentigern School and Community for Contemplatives. Stephen is a Member of the Iona Community, a director of the Sacred Space Foundation, an ordained Interfaith minister and spiritual director.

You can listen to Stephen’s Heartfulness webinar, given to the Iona Community in May 2022, here:

Costs

6 Nights, £672 per adult, £336 for reduced rated – see our programme page for more information.

Photo: Labyrinth walking at St. Columba Bay, Iona. Credit: Iona Community/S. Edwards