Retreats

Join retreat leaders Margaret Galiardi, OP, and Pat Farrell, OP, for a virtual retreat sessions – two evenings and weekend days – through Zoom.

We find ourselves in one of the most tumultuous times in human history. How disconcerting for us earthlings who want the security of solid ground beneath our feet! Yet Christian and Buddhist teachings and practices point us, not toward security and safety, but to developing the ability to stand in the ebb and flow of the tides of life without giving up.

During this online retreat, we will spend time in sitting and walking meditation, staying with whatever thoughts and feelings arise. We will look at teachings from both Christian and Buddhist traditions that encourage us to experience a grounding that goes beyond our lack of footing.

About Margaret Galiardi, OP (left)
Margaret, a Dominican sister from Amityville, New York, is part of the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue. With experience in congregational leadership and a deep background in ecological theology and spirituality, she practices with Insifada Zen, a Long Island interfaith meditation community and is an experienced retreat leader.

About Pat Farrell, OP (right)
Pat, a Dominican sister of San Rafael, is the hosting manager here at Santa Sabina Center. Pat, a trained meditation teacher and retreat leader, has served in congregational leadership, and most recently was executive director of the Dominican Sisters Conference. She is a member of the Sophia Zen Sangha and enjoys sharing how Zen and Christianity complement each other.

We live in a turbulent time. Storms are everywhere, of every size and shape. And like every generation before us, like every soul’s journey on Earth, we must learn the art of surviving storms, so we can help each other endure. Based on his new book, spiritual teacher and poet, Mark Nepo, will explore the art and practice of finding the strength to meet adversity by using the timeless teachings of the heart.

In truth, we are engaged in heartwork every second of every day. The more we accept the heart as our teacher, the more we are transformed by the obstacles we face into fully realized human beings. The reason heartwork is so important is that, as a tree needs to deepen its roots and widen its trunk to endure the force of unexpected storms, we need to know our true self so we can deepen our roots and solidify our connection to all Spirit and all life. Then, we, too, can endure the force of unexpected storms. This is especially relevant now, as we need to recover from the strident isolation and stubbornness of view that entangles us today.

To make our way through adversity requires an inner exploration we each must map for ourselves, though there are common passages along the way. Though our particular paths will vary, the ways we endure the storms we are given are timeless and the same. Once the rubble clears, we, like those before us, are inevitably called to build the world one more time, admitting that we need each other. Participants are asked to bring a journal.

Poet, teacher, philosopher and story-teller, Mark Nepo has been called one of the finest spiritual guides of our time. He has led two previous retreats for us at Santa Sabina, the most recent an online experience during the pandemic. Mark is excited to return in person to lead us fruitfully into our efforts to “survive the storms!” We, in turn, are anxious to share the gift that Mark brings to us. To explore more about Mark’s work, visit www.marknepo.com.