MEGAN DON
Devoted to awakening the mystic within
RETREATS
DEC 1 & 2: RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
PORTLAND, MAINE
JUNE 8-14, 2008:JOURNEYING INTO LOVE
A PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI
(See Details Below)
The Spirit of Hospitality
"...people do not enter our lives to be coerced or
manipulated, but to enrich us by their differences,
and to be graciously received."
Elizabeth Canham
When we think of hospitality we tend to associate the word with welcoming guests into our homes and providing food and shelter. In biblical times however, hospitality was understood as a meeting and receiving of a holy presence. When a stranger knocked on your door, you could never be sure if it was an enemy or an angel; better to treat them as an angel! Similarly within the early Christian communities, any stranger was to be welcomed as Christ coming to sit at your table. The monastic orders in particular practised this as a spiritual discipline.
This receiving of guests is more than providing for physical needs however, it is a receiving the other into the heart, into the dwelling place that resides within the depths of the soul. It is an opening to the other with respect, delight, tenderness, and joy. And the one being received has the responsibility to allow themselves to return the hospitality by opening to the freedom that is being offered. That is, for them to freely reveal themselves exactly as they are, without fear of attack or rejection.
We can easily accept into our hearts those who are similar to us, but what of those who are walking another path with other experiences? What if we cannot understand nor enter into those experiences? Too easily we dismiss such people from our lives. Perhaps we need to learn from Etty Hillesum, a Dutch Jew who died in Auschwitz. When Etty was in the work camp of Westerbork, women with their children were being called up to board the train to be taken to their death in. Etty said there was nothing she could do but stand with them and place a hand of love upon their back. How could she really know what that mother was feeling? Perhaps this is one such hospitable and loving act we can make with another who we do not understand. "I do not understand what you are going through, or where you have been, but I stand here and hold you in love now."
This is what God is doing for us at every moment - holding us in love. Are we able to receive the Spirit's hospitality inviting us into our freedom, or do we turn away and continue to suffer? Do we even notice the Spirit's offering of love? We would do well to step out of our lives now and then and become like the biblical travelers, knocking on stranger's (and friend's) doors, and allow ourselves to be received in love. And to remember to respond in kind, by revealing our holy presence to them.
As we move into these holy times of Thanksgiving and celebration of the continued birthing of consciousness through the Christ child, let us enter into the dwelling place of our own consciousness. May we hospitably receive the Spirit of Love and may we generously give it to others. Many people in our lives have become strangers to us. Let us make these next few weeks a time of coming to know them and loving them from a deeper place. Let us make this a time of coming to know and to love our selves from this eternal dwelling place of love.
Sending you the infinite joy
of these holy times
Megan
RETREATS:
SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st 9:00 – 4:00 P.M.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 2nd 9.00 - 11.00 p.m. (Optional Morning Meditation)
PORTLAND, ME at Meadow Wind, Falmouth
$120 for both days Pre-Registration Required: Tel:878-3899
MYSTICAL GRACES: RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
The commercialism of our world is at its worst at one of the most sacred times of the year - the celebration of a birthing of a new consciousness. Jesus walked this earth, breathing and living truth and love. He became the Word of God, alive in our world. We are all called to carry on this mission of becoming the sacredness of this Word in our daily living. We are destined for “making great” the presence of God on our earth.
In this retreat we will fall into the depths of our eternal silence through the practice of Lectio Divina (a mantra-type meditation), allowing for the dissolving of old and frenzied cultural frameworks and expectations. We will chant Taize prayers, and move our bodies in celebration of our humanity and divinity. We will come to find our own indwelling of the Divine Word and see how we can carry this presence into our world, offering to our selves, our friends and families, the true spirit of this Christmas tide.
“Yes, day by day through the course of time
my awareness of the call to blessed fulfillment increases
for you have done great things in me.”
“Miryam of Nazareth,” Ann Johnson
JOURNEYING INTO LOVE: ASSISI PILGRIMAGE & RETREAT
JUNE 8-14, 2008
Join prize-winning author, Megan Don, as she leads us on this sacred pilgrimage through the life of Clare of Assisi. We will learn of Clare’s relationship and commitment to God, her creation of a new women’s community, and her sacred companionship with Francis of Assisi.
We will follow Clare through all of her hopes, dreams, disappointments, and her own spiritual healing and fulfillment, as she walked steadfastly in her love for God and her deep love for Francis. We will translate her life into our own living experiences in the 21st century, learning to enter into commitment and sacred companionship with God, and with all whom we meet during our earthly journey.
We will visit the sacred sites of Clare and Francis, in Assisi, entering into the depths of silence and meditation, song and praise, and the ultimate spiritual joy of love.
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS:
As we move forward on our journey we all need confirmation that we are walking in the right direction. Guided by the Spirit, these sessions support the unfolding of your journey and your own soul's needs. Using meditation, psycho-spiritual integration practices and compassionate listening, Megan facilitates bringing your soul more fully into its own wisdom and love.
Sliding Scale - $75-90 per hour
Personal Consultations, Sound Healing, and Voice Exploration Sessions are available for those in the Maine/Massachussets area or when Megan is traveling in your area.
It is in your power to live and die with this peace
- Teresa of Avila
