Nothing but God
The Mysticism of Meister Eckhart
Half Day Retreat Series
February – August, 2018
These retreat mornings involve engaging the mysticism of Meister Eckhart through centering prayer and reflection. Each morning will include three periods of centering prayer (30 minutes each) and an interactive lecture on Meister Eckhart. The purpose of these mornings is to deepen an awareness of God in daily life, which will transform our lives. For dates and more details, click the link below:
We invite you to join us! Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or have practiced for years, this retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of profound silence and community support. The Retreat Leaders are Mary Dwyer and Ron Barnett.
Click here for more information and to register
Please contact Suzi Kindervatter with any questions about the event or about how to register.
The Retreat
The Intensive Retreat is for those who have not previously attended a Centering Prayer retreat. The retreat includes several hours of group Centering Prayer daily. The prayer is supported by videos and discussion of teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating. Six months of Centering Prayer experience is helpful background. / The Post-Intensive Retreat includes more extended silence and Centering Prayer. Previous participation in a Centering Prayer retreat is recommended. / Overall, the retreat provides an opportunity to deepen one’s practice of Centering Prayer in an atmosphere of profound silence and community support. All participants observe silence from the opening to the closing of the retreat. Soul-friending with the staff can be scheduled.
The Setting
The retreat will be held at the Claggett Retreat Center in Adamston, MD. The Center is nestled in the rolling hills of Frederick County on 268 wooded acres with a working farm and fantastic views, yet only an hour’s drive from three international airports. Lodging will be in the Christiane Inn; a range of dietary needs can be accommodated. (For details and directions, visit: https://www.claggettcenter.org/)
Retreat Leaders
Mary Dwyer is a long-time student of Fr. Thomas Keating and has been practicing Centering Prayer for almost 30 years. She has served as Chairperson of the Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Governing Board; a member of the Contemplative Outreach Faculty; and Living Flame program Coordinator. Mary now devotes her time to giving retreats and workshops on behalf of Contemplative Outreach throughout the US and internationally. She is passionate about nature, animals, children, honesty, recovery, and present-moment awareness.
Ron Barnett, a psychologist by education, has practiced Centering Prayer for several decades and is a commissioned presenter of the practice. He served as Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of MD/DC for six years and on the Board and as a Trustee of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. for 10 years. More recently Ron underwent multi-year training in seeing the visual world contemplatively and expressing it photographically. He works in medical research at the National Institutes of Health and lives in Germantown, MD where he has co-facilitated a Centering Prayer group for many years.
Schedule and Cost
The retreat begins with dinner on Sunday, October 21, 2018 and closes Friday after lunch, October 26, 2018. The fee of $665 includes the retreat, meals and overnight accommodations in a single room with full bath. Some double rooms are available for $600.
Space is limited and reservations will be taken in the order in which they are received. A $125.00 non-refundable deposit is required with registration. Full retreat fee payment is due September 1, 2018. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
Past Events

Introductory Workshop Saturday, November 4:
- Four presentations: Prayer as Relationship, the Method of Centering Prayer, Thought and Use of the Sacred Word, and Deepening our Relationship with God
- Two prayer practice sessions
- Questions and discussion
Continuing Sessions Saturdays, November 11 & 18:
- Video presentations
- Two prayer sessions
- Questions and discussion
The program is for those who are new to contemplative practices, or those who have a Centering Prayer practice and want to refresh basic guidelines and conceptual background.
A $40 good willing offering is suggested, or the amount with which you are comfortable. All are welcome! A continental breakfast will be served.
Please contact Ellen Barlow, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington Leadership Team member, if you have any questions about the event or how to register.
“Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us and is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship” (Father Thomas Keating, OCSO, a founding member and spiritual guide of Contemplative Outreach).
“Be Still and Know That I am God….” Psalm 46

Ilia Delio, OSF – The Universe Within
Join us on Saturday afternoon, September 30, to hear Ilia Delio share her thoughts about “The Universe Within”. Finding our place in the world is a challenging task. Ilia will explore the inner universe and the role of consciousness, elaborating on the insights of modern science and the tradition of the mystics.
Ilia’s bio is available here.
There will be opportunity for Q & A, and the purchase and signing of some of Ilia’s books. Books purchased by cash or check only. Light refreshments will be offered.
Schedule for the Afternoon — Schedule subject to change:
12:30pm Doors open. Sign-in. Books available for purchase.
1:00-2:00pm Session One. Prayer. Introduction. Presentation.
2:00-2:20pm Q & A
2:20-2:40pm Break – Books available for purchase.
2:40-3:00pm Group Contemplative/Silent Prayer. 20 Minute Sit.
3:00-3:40pm Session Two. Presentation
3:40-3:50pm 10 Minute Break
3:50-4:15pm Q & A
4:15-4:45pm Book Signing – Books available for purchase.
4:45pm Program ends. Thank you!
Please join us! A $40 goodwill offering is suggested or the amount with which you are comfortable. All are welcome! No one will be turned away.

Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington invites you to a half-day retreat of prayer and contemplation. All are welcome, whether you have practiced Centering Prayer for awhile or are new to the practice.
The program includes three Centering Prayer periods and a presentation on the medieval classic book, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. The presentation will be given by L.J. Milone who will focus on the text as a “Handbook for Contemplatives.”
The program schedule is as follows:
8:30 Sign in & Light Refreshments
9:00 Welcome and Introduction
9:10 Centering Prayer/Two tracks:
–Intro/Refresher track with prayer instruction and one prayer period
–Deepening Track with two prayer periods
10:20 Silent Break
10:30 Presentation by L.J. Milone – “The Imitation of Christ: A Handbook for Contemplatives”
11:30 Silent Break
11:45 Centering Prayer
12:15 Closing

As Lent begins, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and DC invites you to a half day retreat of prayer and contemplation. All are welcome, whether you have practiced Centering Prayer for awhile or are new to the practice.
The program will include a number of Centering Prayer periods and a video presentation by Fr Thomas Keating. The presentation, from the Contemplative Outreach “Heartfulness” series, explores the nuances of what it means to “see with the eyes of our hearts” and “hear with the ears of our hearts.”
The program schedule is as follows:
8:30 Sign in & Light Refreshments
9:00 Welcome and Introduction
9:15 Centering Prayer/Two tracks:
–Intro/Refresher track with prayer instruction and one prayer period
–Deepening Track with two prayer periods
10:15 Silent Break
10:30 Fr. Thomas Keating video presentation and participant reflections
11:30 Silent Break
11:45 Centering Prayer
12:15 Closing
Registration not required. For more information, contact:
Contemplative Outreach MD/DC Leadership Team