photograph by Cherie Westmoreland
Returning to Silence:
That Which Holds Everything
Friday, September 16 - Friday, September 23, 2022
with Cherie Westmoreland and Margie Savigny
Rivendell Retreat Centre, Bowen Island, BC
We feel the presence of Silence throughout the physical world as a kind of touch, like that of a warm breeze on the skin on a fall day. We feel its presence as a living surround that fills us within. - Robert Sardello
Come into the Silence that is always here. Bring your heart, mind, body, and spirit to the nourishing and welcoming contemplative space of Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island.
In the natural beauty of this island retreat, we will explore spiritual practices and share experiences of contemplative time in the natural world – while in Silence – but also within a supportive community.
The fall season is a beautiful time of year to pause, to create space for rest, inquiry, listening, and opening to the movement of Spirit.
We begin at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 16 with introductions. At 5:00 pm we gather in the sanctuary for Rivendell’s sacred hour. Dinner is at 6:00 pm. The community enters into Silence after the evening session.
The Rhythm of Our Days
morning gathering – embodied prayer
Rivendell Centering Prayer – silent practice
breakfast
morning community gathering
lunch
rest
outdoor exploration in silence
Rivendell Sacred Hour
dinner
evening session
We depart at noon on Friday, September 23
Accommodation and Meals
We encourage everyone to have their own room rather than sharing a room so that you can immerse yourself fully in the gifts of Silence. There are queen bedrooms and rooms with twin beds. Rivendell has two wheelchair accessible rooms. Accommodation for the seven days is an additional cost that can be offered to Rivendell directly at the time of your arrival.
Meals include a simple, self-catered breakfast of fruit, cereals, breads, spreads. Soup and salad for lunch. Simple and nutritious evening meals will be catered. Retreatants will help with minor preparation and clean-up after meals.
Cost of $500 includes meals, group gatherings, individual spiritual direction if requested, and supply fee. The fee will be collected when you arrive.
Cherie Westmoreland
is an artist with a particular focus on contemplative photography and writing. She has explored and experienced a variety of faith traditions and finds the natural world to be her most potent teacher of heart and spirit. She has completed the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding and SoulMentoring programs, and brings a quiet and grounded presence to her practice of spiritual accompaniment.
Margie Savigny
has been a spiritual companion for the past ten years. In private practice or in group facilitation, Spirit is always invited to what is unfolding. The work is to create intentional time and sacred space for what is longing for our attention to appear and be nurtured. Margie has always had a thirst to enliven her spiritual life through learning in the company of others. Through the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding and SoulMentoring programs, courses at the Vancouver School of Theology and the Living School (Centre for Living Action and Contemplation), Margie continues to nourish her contemplative life. Read about Margie’s spiritual direction practice here.