Retreat Leaders fourteenth century English and Theravada Buddhist psychology. He has extensive experience in Margaret Barker is a biblical scholar, who has spent leading retreats and of involvement in Buddhist- many years researching the mystical traditions of the Christian dialogue. Jerusalem temple. They have almost disappeared from the Bible and yet are the root of later Christian mysticism. The Holy Wisdom was the Mother figure in this ancient faith. She gave her Venue children spiritual vision, and her oil anointed the Holy Isle, located off the Isle of Arran on Messiah. Memories of this Lady shaped the later the south west coast of Scotland, is officially veneration of Mary. designated as a UK Sacred site and has a long spiritual history, stretching back to the 6th Century. Margaret is a past president of the Society for Old It is endowed with an ancient healing spring, the Testament Study and a Methodist local preacher. hermit cave of the 6th century Celtic monk, St She has published more than 15 books, including Molaise, and evidence of a 13th Century Christian An Extraordinary Gathering of (2004), monastery. The island was bought by Tibetan The Gate of (2008), The Hidden Buddhists (Kagyu tradition) in 1992 who run the Tradition of the Kingdom of God (2007) and Centre for World Peace and Health on the north of Temple Mysticism. (2011). the Island. Alongside their ongoing retreat and A week of silence and spiritual (www.margaretbarker.com) course programme (www.holyisle.org) the Centre is a reflection on themes from Scripture to illuminate focal point for meditation, prayer, peace, and the ancient roots of the Christian contemplative Julienne McLean is a psychologist, Jungian analyst multifaith retreats, as a true, peaceful refuge from the tradition, on beautiful Holy Island, Scotland and spiritual director in North London. She has hectic modern world. had a lifelong involvement in the Christian mystical tradition, and teaches, writes and runs retreats on www.friendsofsophia.com August 21st – 28th, 2021 Jungian psychology, prayer and Carmelite spirituality. She co-facilitates a contemplative school THE HIDDEN of the heart programme. She is the author of ‘Towards Mystical Union’ (2003, 2013, 2017), a commentary on St Teresa of Avila’s book, ‘The KINGDOM of GOD: Interior Castle’. THE VISION of Rev Michael Gartland is an Anglican priest and psychotherapist working mainly in the NHS, leading a multifaith mental health WISDOM chaplaincy and counselling service in West Yorkshire. He has research and teaching interests in The ancient and sacred location of Holy Booking Form Island is what the Celtic bards call a ‘thin place’ where spiritual realities are powerfully The cost for the retreat is £190. To book, present. It is a sanctuary of peace, holiness please send an email to and radiance and has a long history of [email protected] with your name, Christian pilgrimage. It has been home to the address and phone number. To confirm your Tibetan Buddhist community since 1992 and place, please send a deposit cheque of £100 is, uniquely, a place where ancient spiritual made out to the Contemplative Spirituality currents of East and West intertwine and flow Network to Flat 21, Christchurch Court, 171 swiftly and deeply together. Willesden Lane, London. UK. NW6 7XF or by an online transfer. The remaining £90 is due Gathering together in prayer and spiritual by 31st April, 2021. friendship on this retreat allows ourselves to be drawn more deeply into the mystery of this The cost of the accommodation and full board beautiful island, as a place of sublime Daily Retreat Schedule (vegetarian) for the retreat (7 days) is £385 for stillness and infinite spaciousness. In a single room, £280 for sharing a twin room particular, the Christian ‘desert’ tradition of 7.00am Silent prayer and £224 for sharing a dormitory. This cost is prayer strongly resonates with the Buddhist paid directly to the Holy Island Conference tradition of meditation, as expressive of 8.00am Breakfast (silent) Centre at the beginning of the retreat. deepest reality. 9.00am For all enquiries, further information and In this eighth year of annual summer booking the retreat, please contact Julienne Christian retreats on the island (since 2012), 10am - 12 Morning Session on 020 8 451 5255, 07527 993696 or the daily programme will include silent email prayer, Holy Communion, creative liturgy, 12.30pm Lunch (silent) chanting and spiritual conversation. This [email protected] year, within the context of a contemplative 3.30 – 4.30pm Work in the Garden retreat, Margaret Barker will be leading daily www.friendsofsophia.com morning teaching sessions (lectio divina, with 5 - 6pm Walking Meditation icons) on the hidden tradition of the kingdom and prayer of God, Holy Wisdom, the Queen of Heaven, the mysteries of ascension, and 6pm Supper (silent) glory and the celebration of creation. There will be opportunities for conscious work in 8.00pm Evening Session the garden, walking meditation and a pilgrimage to the cave of St Molaise.