The Path to God Leads to Nothing
Apophatic Theology and Practice
Apophatic theology is a stream of Christian mysticism rooted in the radical unknowability of God. It is the basis for the Cloud of Unknowing and the tradition of silent prayer which comes from it. In this retreat we look at the history of this kind of prayer in the teachings of Pseudo-Dionysius, John Scotus Eriugena, Meister Eckhart, and the anonymous author of the Cloud of Unknowing. We discuss history and theology but our primary concern is on the application of this ancient tradition to our prayer lives. The retreat includes talks from both David Cole and Justin Coutts as well as five guided meditations accompnaied by beautiful Canadian scenery and Celtic harp music.
Your Instructor
David Cassian Cole, or Brother Cassian, is the Founder and Executive Director of Waymark Ministries CIC, he is an international Spiritual Teacher and Retreat Leader; he has lectured in Christian & Bible Colleges; has appeared in television documentaries; is an award winning author of 7 books; and is the UK 'Deputy Guardian' for The Community of Aidan and Hilda - a globally dispersed Celtic New Monastic Community. He has been a full time Church Minister and Teaching Pastor in different churches and is qualified in 'Spiritual Care' (holistic care and pastoral counselling); he holds a Masters' degree in 'Christian Spirituality' from Sarum College, writing his thesis on how historic Celtic Christianity can inform New Monastic ideas of Discipleship.
Justin Coutts is a contemplative teacher living on the beautiful and mysterious Manitoulin Island. While his practice is primarily Celtic Christian today his religious life has been very diverse. He spent many years as an apprentice to an Ojibwe elder helping people on vision quests deep in the Canadian wilderness. He was also raised in a traditional rural Quaker community which is still an important part of his contemplative practice. Today, Justin is the author of In Search of a New Eden and is working to find the intersection of these traditions and lineages. Through Celtic Christianity he hopes to bring people closer to the natural world and closer to their own souls – that we all may return to Eden like the Prodigal Son and live once more in harmony with wind and waves, trees and moss, rocks and stars.
Course Curriculum
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PreviewAn Introduction to Apophatic Prayer (19:03)
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PreviewMeditation 1 - Allowing thoughts to pass by (17:44)
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StartDionysius (38:36)
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StartMeditation 2 - Awareness of creation (16:38)
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StartEriugena (21:53)
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StartMeditation 3 - Awareness of your naked being (16:42)
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StartEckhart (36:14)
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StartMeditation 4 - Awareness of God's love (17:38)
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StartThe Cloud of Unknowing (33:51)
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StartMeditation 5 - Awareness of nothing (17:48)
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PreviewConclusion (16:45)