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Exploring Silence workshops are in two popular formats:
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Exploring Silence workshops are aimed at two groups of people:
- those with either no former experience of silence based prayer, or
- those who have explored short periods of silence on retreat days and would like to develop their experience and understanding of a prayerful practice of silence.
The workshops are facilitated to create a safe space in which participants can begin to explore silence.
During the workshop participants have three different opportunities to try out meditation practices based in silence, which they will be guided through by the workshop facilitator.
During the workshop participants have three different opportunities to try out meditation practices based in silence, which they will be guided through by the workshop facilitator.
There will also be printed resources based on these meditations for participants to take away and continue using at your own pace.
We will explore the word silence and its different meanings, particularly in terms of the ancient Christian tradition of developing a spiritual discipline or practice of silence.
There will be an overview of the history of the development of practices of silence within Christianity, from the time of the Desert Mothers and Fathers, and through the different periods of the monastic tradition.
Events and key figures that led to a renewed interest in this spiritual discipline amongst Christians in the twentieth century will be identified and discussed.
The workshops will have times for discussion in pairs and as a whole group, with opportunity to feedback on how participants have found the different meditation exercises and ask further questions about these.
There will be signposting to other Christian groups and organisations who can help develop your practice of silence, via their websites, newsletters, training courses and events.