Contemplative Learning Programs
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Growth Through Enneagram Exploration
April 18, 2024
At our recent two-part workshop Experiential Enneagram and Levels of Consciousness , participants were invited to engage in a variety of experiences designed to look at some of the most powerful and interconnected frameworks for psychological-spiritual growth. During session one, Dr. Patrick Bishop used body movement, a word game, and another game to evoke feelings […]
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Come Back to God During Lent
February 20, 2024
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, Always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, Maybe he’ll turn around and […]
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Embodying LOVE
December 21, 2023
King David wanted to make a house for God. In 2 Samuel 7, we hear him, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" It was an overflow of his love and gratitude for calling, blessing, and establishing the Israelites and his kingdom. Naturally, he […]
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Embodying PEACE
December 7, 2023
Last Saturday, a group gathered to “Embody Advent” at Dominican Center Marywood. Rev. Debbie Eisenbise led participants through prayer practices that use our bodies as a way to prepare the way for the Lord to dwell within us this season. We prayed with arms out and up, heads rising and lowering, standing and kneeling. We […]
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Advent O Antiphons with Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
December 5, 2023
Join the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids for Advent O Antiphons Evening Prayer from December 17-23 The O Antiphons are short, Scripture-based Advent prayers from the Middle Ages that are part of the prayer of the Church in the Liturgy of the Hours. Each year, the Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids host this beautiful seven-night experience of […]
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Embodying HOPE
November 27, 2023
When I ask what hope is, usually the answers revolve around two things: belief and the future. We locate it in the realm of the mind and spirit and, of course, in the not yet of the future. But it is something we experience now. When we pay attention to it, we realize it resides […]
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A Silent Retreat To Remember
June 29, 2023
Fifteen retreatants recently attended a 5-day silent retreat at the St. Augustine Center in Conway, Michigan. The retreat was completely silent, except for time spent with one’s spiritual director each day. Each retreatant was free to decide the shape of silence: some took long solitary walks on nature trails or the beach; some took their […]
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Foundations in Spirituality Interview with Phillip Johnson Ph.D.
June 15, 2023
What to Expect If you are considering The Foundations in Spirituality formation intensive at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, this video from a graduate of the program may be helpful. Phillip Johnson, Ph.D. completed Foundations in Spirituality in 2020. In this video, Dr. Johnson reflects on how his experience in Foundations transformed his approach […]
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Emergence
April 19, 2023
Does the anticipation of spring bring your spirit new awakening energy? Emergence is a noun that goes back to the Latin root emergere, meaning “bring to light”. Are there certain spiritual practices that lighten your heart and help you recharge and feel renewed, practices that energize your ability to envision new paths? Thomas Merton said, […]
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What to Remember Upon Waking
March 28, 2023
This past weekend Kent Dobson presented an introductory workshop on Dreams and Dream Work at Dominican Center Marywood on Aquinas College campus. According to Kent, “dreams deliver material in poetic form.” He shared many insights with the group of participants. When speaking of the soul or “psyche” he stated “the soul gives us clues or […]