The Wisdom and Practice of Prayer Within the World’s Spiritual Traditions
“I believe that it is impossible to grasp all the different forms of prayer without great purity of heart and soul. There are as many forms of prayer as there are states of soul. A person prays in a certain manner when cheerful and in another when weighed down by sadness or a sense of hopelessness. When one is flourishing spiritually, prayer is different from when one is oppressed by the extent of one’s struggles.”
~ John Cassian, 5th Cent. Christian Monk
The act of praying is something that we are hardwired for as spiritual beings on the human journey and yet it often eludes our humanness because it is steeped in Divine Mystery. Join us for a weekend retreat into a spiritual wilderness of prayer, where we will have individual and communal opportunities to explore the what, why, and how we pray in both the mundane and extraordinary moments of our lives. Throughout the program, we will consider the multiple categories of prayer and each one’s unique contributions to those who practice them. From a Christian perspective, participants will learn the history and culture surrounding various practices across the world’s spiritual traditions and be invited to engage in them for a deeper, meaningful experience. Takeaways for those in attendance will include an embodied awareness and deeper appreciation for the gift of prayer in our spiritual lives and a reverence for the spectrum of prayer practices that envelope the Church and world today. A fire circle with music is scheduled for Saturday evening. Please bring along an open mind and heart for this journey! A journal and comfortable shoes will make great companions for this weekend.
Lodging room check-in begins at 4pm and the retreat will begin after dinner. Guided by Gordon Creamer.
Gordon Creamer, creator of the Mission Bridge, currently serves as Program Director at Well For The Journey, a spiritual wellness center in Lutherville, MD. He has also been involved in healthcare programming and operations since 2001 at various Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Hospice communities. He earned an MA in Spiritual & Pastoral Care from Loyola University and an MA in Theology from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Ecumenical Institute.
Gordon has facilitated numerous retreats and workshops that focus on creating opportunities for participants to explore and enhance their spirituality and well-being through various media. Uplifting the journey of adults, individuals with memory impairment and members of the LGBTQ+ community is a passion for him, and in the last several years, he has fostered support groups and programs for caregivers and those who are grieving losses. Trained as an end-of-life doula, certified spiritual director, and reiki practitioner, Gordon welcomes all in discovering the spiritual life as a means of healing, growing and thriving. www.themissionbridge.com