In this first-of-a-kind immersion retreat, Cynthia Bourgeault will take us on a deep dive into the profoundly Christian and incarnational mysticism at the root of Jean Gebser’s Integral Evolutionary theory. In this season of Advent, we will explore how some of Gebser’s core ideas, particularly around time, transparency, spiritual generativity, and “intensification of the present” open up whole new windows of insight on classic advent themes. Equally, we will explore how the great incarnational themes of Advent shelter and context Gebser’s thinking, transforming it from an intellectual tour de force to a luminous offering of the heart.
This will be a silent retreat, grounded in meditation and embodied prayer. An established meditation practice (by any method) is required; prior familiarity with the teaching of Jean Gebser is strongly recommended. If you’re a newcomer to the Gebserian terrain, Jeremy Johnson’s Seeing Through the World offers a concise and enormously helpful overview.