CLP and Practice in Community

Contemplative Outreach News ~ Volume 21 , Number 2 · Summer 2006

Summer 2006 Newsletter Experiences of Interreligious Dialogue From the President - Communication
The Heart and Soul Reader's Reflections The Spanish Corner CLP and Practice in Community
New Resources in the Bookstore 12 Step Outreach Chapter Updates

The Contemplative Life Program
Study and Practice in Community

How do we “rediscover the felt presence of God”?

Is it possible to experience the Living God in the ordinary routines of a busy modern life? How do aspiring contemplatives live a life of practice in the midst of family, job demands and societal distractions?

In 2005, over 1,400 people from all over the world sought to answer these questions by participating in The Contemplative Life Program (CLP). This program explores how to be a practicing contemplative, abiding in the presence of God in the midst of ordinary life. The CLP provides the tools, the Christian contemplative teachings and the community support necessary to live and embody the contemplative dimension of the Gospel.

In 2006, there are two opportunities to participate:

Year One ~ Practice

It is recommended beginning the program with Year One.

“The quality and depth of our ordinary experience in general determine our awareness or non-awareness of God…
Our awareness in ordinary life, or lack of it, depends upon our ability to be contemplative…

Contemplation is about
waking up.

To be contemplative is to experience an event fully, in all its aspects. Biblically, this is expressed as coming 'face-to-face' with God, others and the cosmos…

God is always present, but we are not always present to God.”

Ronald Rohlheiser, The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering the Felt Presence of God

	Centering Prayer
	Welcoming Prayer
	Lectio Divina
	Discernment

	Forgiveness
	Active Prayer
	Attention/Intention

Year Two ~ Developing Contemplative Attitudes Through Practice

For continuing subscribers to The Contemplative Life Program wishing to deepen their practice and their relationship with God in everyday life. This program continues the focus on practice by exploring contemplative attitudes and dispositions that emerge from the contemplative life.

The Topics Include:

	Spirituality of Money
	Contemplative Service
	Silence and Solitude
	Simplicity

	Prayer
	Hospitality
	Faith: An Advent Companion

The Spaces That Surround

The mistake most beginners make
when learning to crochet
is pulling too tightly

Their stitches bunch and writhe
Faces frown
Hands labor
In, around, through

The loops closing in
around and through
A more practiced hand
holds lightly
Allows a little light between the loops
in, around, through

This blanket is all of a single thread
in, around, through

No single stitch holds it together
in, around, through

No – every stitch is ordinary,
just the same
in, around, through

Simple crochet 60
chain 1 into last stitch
repeat 24 times
in, around, through

I write these lines
between eggs and toast
in, around, through

Between the diapers
and the giggles
in, around, through

And there is so much more to say
but I’ll say just a little
in, around, through

Trusting the blanket is not
just the thread
in, around, through

But the spaces that surround

Clare Broyles
CLP Program Subscriber

Each booklet includes excerpted teachings, inspirational quotes, scripture, beautiful images, mini-practices and suggested readings. Booklets will be mailed to subscribers approximately every 50 days. Cost: $140

Continuing subscribers will recognize the same beautiful, prayerful booklet format as was presented in the Year One program. Cost: $100 for continuing subscribers ($140 for new subscribers)

Join together with others in exploring what it means to live the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life, deepening your commitment to your own transformation, and participating in the transformation of the world.

Donations are encouraged to provide scholarships for those who, at this moment in time, cannot afford a CLP subscription and to offset program costs. Please indicate your desire to donate when you subscribe.

E-subscriptions are available at a reduced rate for all international participants.

Questions?

	Visit the CLP FAQ online
	Review subscribers' comments and experiences
	Email CLP@coutreach.org or call 1-973-838-3384

To subscribe:

	Phone:	800-608-0096 US & Canada, 570-822-8899 International
	Online:	http://www.coutreach.org/clp.htm Gift subscriptions are available.

Partial and full scholarships available: Please email for a scholarship application or call 1-973-838-3384.

“The purpose of every true devotional practice
and method of prayer
is to bring us to a person-to-person, being-to-being relationship with Christ.”

Fr. Thomas Keating, Crisis of Faith, Crisis of Love

Contact Information

Postal address:
    Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
    10 Park Place
    2nd Floor, Suite 2B
    Butler, New Jersey 07405

Telephone:
    Office:        973-838-3384
   Book Store: 800-608-0096
FAX:
    973-492-5795

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm EST