The Journey into Oneness: Meditation and the Wisdom of the Cloud of Unknowing – A Weekend Silent Retreat **1 SPACE AVAILABLE**

£350

A Weekend Silent Retreat

‘God is your being.’  So says the anonymous medieval author of The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counselling. We are already one with God, with each other and all creation in God.

How might meditation help us to become aware of this oneness? And how might this awareness transform our lives and relationships? 

The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy (‘private’) Counselling are among the most important texts on meditation in the Christian tradition. Originally written as practical guides for his student, the author teaches with a blend of wisdom and simplicity, directness and humour that reaches across the centuries.

Through a flow of talks, silent meditation practice and opportunities for conversation, we’ll explore:

• the simple guidelines for meditation practice as described in The Cloud;
• what the author says in The Book of Privy Counselling about the practice of resting in awareness, the realisation of oneness, and how our practice can benefit the whole of creation.

The Cloud author sees meditation as a path of integration, of liberation and harmony, which contributes not only to the well-being of the practitioner, but to the well-being of all people, of the entire universe. 

Ultimately, meditation ‘is nothing else but the glorious gift of love’ he says, a ‘work of love’ which illuminates the heart and makes our ‘relationships with others beautiful’. To the one who is content to enter the mystery of God’s infinite love, ‘all people seem family to them, and none seem a stranger.’

It is enough to simply lift up our hearts ‘with a humble stirring of love,’ says the author.  No thoughts are needed. ‘Let God be God’ without trying to dress God up in your favourite God-clothes. Allow yourself to come to God ‘just as you are…’ 

For those who would like to do some pre-reading for the retreat, two chapters in Chris Whittington’s book The Missing Peace feature new translations from these classic texts: Chapter 9, ‘Enter Into Your Inner Room’, and Chapter 35, ‘Resting in Awareness’.

Who is this for?

This retreat will offer important insights for those who practice meditation, but is also intended for those who are new to the practice and feel drawn to discover the deep wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition. It has been carefully crafted to be accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith or beliefs.

What to expect

Being on retreat is a precious opportunity to be still, to be silent, to practice living simply and peacefully and cultivate the gift of loving-awareness as we devote ourselves to the depth dimension of faith and life.

The focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice, and we will practice bringing loving-awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting, while walking or eating, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply.

The practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins on Friday and continue until after lunch on Sunday. Although the practice of silence may be new to some, most people find this a powerful and wonderful experience. Maintaining a quiet and peaceful environment – walking, moving, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other.

The last session of each day will be an opportunity for conversation together, to reflect on the content of the talks and what we have experienced in our meditation throughout the day.

The retreat timetable includes periods of private practice time for sitting and walking meditation. Some people find it helpful to bring a craft activity to accompany times of private sitting meditation. If you decide to do this, the craft should be very simple and not likely to stimulate thoughts. The Desert Fathers and Mothers were famous for weaving baskets!

Practical information

A detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending a week or two before it begins (or is available on request sooner). The retreat starts on Friday at 4:30 pm with an orientation talk, followed by a period of silent meditation before dinner. Short talks across the weekend will be balanced with periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, time for private reflection and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The retreat will finish at 3:00 pm after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:30 am with meditation practice. Early morning meditation is a wonderful way to greet the day together. While we very much encourage everyone to attend this session, if this is difficult for you for any reason, please don’t worry. It is always enough to do what we can – or what our life allows.

Small reflection groups, hosted by Chris, provide an opportunity for up to seven people to meet and explore together a question or two about their meditation practice, or how practice relates to what they have heard during a talk or to daily life. We can learn so much by sharing with and listening to others.

Event leader

Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in England. Chris’ monastic teachers taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala, India.

Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.

Chris is the author of The Missing Peace | Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press in the Autumn.

Testimonials

“From start to finish, the retreat was incredible.  The schedule was ideal: a mix of lectures, meditation, silent meals and private practice. This was my first experience of The School of Contemplative Life and I drove 9 hours on a gut instinct to attend. It was worth every minute. Chris is an attentive and insightful teacher; clearly with a wealth of knowledge.  This is the kind of teaching I have been searching for! Thank you for making it possible. I feel relieved and excited to have landed on a path I can trust. I know I can learn, develop and grow under such guidance. Post-retreat, I feel a sense of inner peace and calm that is new.. a wonderful beginning.”

“The content was extraordinary and life-changing, not to be dramatic! I was already a (newish) meditator but the extra sitting meditations, the walking meditations in your beautiful grounds, in the quiet company of others, was very special. Chris is a wonderful teacher, speaking with precision and clarity about the simple (yet deep) truths of who we really are.  I felt the presence of God more clearly than perhaps I ever have done and know that in some way I am changed, even now I’m back home.”

“There is so much that I valued about this retreat and so many things I will be taking forward: being given the opportunity to practise meditation multiple times through the day, the teaching, the peace, the fellowship with others, learning to train my mind.”

The School of Contemplative Life events should be understood as only providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. Many people have experienced improvements in general wellbeing through meditation practice. However, if you suffer from any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you to attend an event with us, make sure you always follow your medical practitioner’s advice and let us know in general terms without sharing specific details.

EARLY BIRD RATE: £350 (standard room) or £380 (character room) if booked by 16th January 2026! 
Retreat price: £370 (standard room) or £400 (character room) 

Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources. It may be possible for you to extend your stay with us by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey directly if you would like to extend your stay.

For any questions, queries or if you’d like to know more, please call  01572 717254 or alternatively email us: [email protected]