Theme: The Song of Your Bird

Based on contemplative themes and insights drawn from Fr. Anthony de Mello’s parable “Song of the Bird,” this weekend retreat will help participants explore our inner wisdom and reflect on personal authenticity – the keys for listening for the “song” of one’s soul. Living authentically is challenging and requires sacrifice, but it is the path to true freedom and fulfillment. What are you called to do with “your one wild and precious life?” Can you hear the wisdom moving through you? Can you hear the song of your bird?

Leader: Ian White Maher is a writer, spiritual director, and retreat leader. He has practiced Zen since 1997, is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School, and trained with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. He presently serves as the senior minister for the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, VA.

Weekend retreats run Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. The silence begins Friday night after dinner when the leader opens the retreat and introduces the theme. The leader usually offers brief reflections with morning and evening prayers on Saturday. The silence ends after breakfast Sunday morning with a time of sharing and worship, followed by lunch and departure.

The cost for weekend retreats is $275.  A $125 deposit is required to register.

Dinner on Friday at 7 pm is the first official gathering. You are welcome to arrive and settle in between 3:30 and 6:30 pm on Friday. The retreat will end by 2 pm on Sunday.  Please plan to stay for the entire retreat.