NOW FULL – The Encounter with Evil: A Teaching Retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL

The Encounter with Evil:
A Teaching Retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault 

Dates: November 14 — November 18, 2022
Beginning with dinner on Monday, and ending Friday with lunch.

Location: The Great Barn at Claymont Court, 667 Huyett Rd, Charles Town WV, 25414

Event Description:

In this timely teaching retreat, we will be inquiring into the nature and presence of evil as a discernible force, with a focus on these key questions:

• What is a useful, contemporary understanding of evil?
• How can we effectively deal with evil, at both an individual and collective scale?

Topics to be addressed include:

• the metaphysics of evil — with an emphasis on the process and relational nature of its arising
• the psychology of evil — with a look at personality disorders as both a microcosm and potential spawning ground
• roots of collective psychosis
• the dangerous blind spot in the Christian strategy of  “love conquers all”
• considerations of personal responsibility
• the remediating force of conscience and the costliness of engaging it

Teachings will be drawn from a wide variety of sources both spiritual and psychological, with the emphasis first and foremost on the practical: to learn to recognize and shield oneself better from the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to evil, to “speak truth to power” in a way that wields real clout, and where necessary, to draw more intentionally and skillfully on assistance from realms beyond our own.

Fees and Registration: 

$850 for a shared room with one roommate (we cannot provide single, private accommodations)

$400 for offsite, commuters

Spaces are limited.

Covid policy available here.