At the Centre of Nothingness:
Apophatic prayer and the awakening of the apophatic self

In this Mystic Heart formation offering, we will continue the theme of being pregnant with nothing, focusing on how we awaken the centre of nothingness in the ground of our heart through apophatic prayer.  We will continue to develop a hermeneutic of beholding for interpreting mystical texts by authors such as Thomas Merton, Denys the Areopagite, Meister Eckhart, Marguerite Porete, the Helfta Mystics, Jan van Ruusbroec, Julian of Norwich, the Clou of Unknowing author, John of the Cross and many others. Our focus will be on creating a atmosphere and contemplative practices that support the awakening of a oneing hear awareness or Christ consciousness.  Together we will continue to create a rich vocabulary of “apophatic knowing” and its meaning for an evolutionary world, as well as deepen our capacity for communion in heart dialogue. 

Through beholding communally, we will enter into the depthless depths of apophatic metaphors, into the evolutionary flow of how the prayer of the author, the writing, the reading, and the prayer of the reader, one together unfold and awaken ever revealing apophatic wisdom. Attention will be given to how spiritual directors may be naturally at home with apophatic language and create an atmosphere in the spiritual direction encounter that enables apophatic knowing to arise into conscious awareness without limiting its ongoing revelatory power. 

We will continue to awaken new sensitivities to the endless possibilities how the Spirit opens us to unitive participatory love knowing. Emphasis is on claiming the ontological space of contemplation and nurturing the oneing heart awareness that arises in stillness and silence. The presentations and processes will assist participants to sensitively go deeper into their own inner journey, so they can lovingly companion themselves and others into the depthless depths of divine-human intimacy encountered apophatically.

In the light of contemplation, we will cultivate a confidential, trustworthy, and sacred spaciousness, which includes enhancing contemplative presence to each other and fostering communion consciousness. While it will be very helpful if participants have participated in previous Mystic Heart offerings, this offering can also be engaged with in its own right.  However, it is essential that participants have a routine of contemplative prayer, are in spiritual direction, and participate in regular silent retreats.