Each year some teachers who are friends of the WCCM spend an extended time at Bonnevaux. They may come to retreat, to write and share the life of the resident community. For a week they offer a more informal conversation with the members and guests present which may also become an online session. The culmination of their residency is a retreat or seminar which they lead as an in-person event sometimes also broadcast online live.
Charles Taylor’s contribution to modern philosophy and self-understanding has been brilliantly diverse and influential for a whole generation. His great works Sources of the Self and A Secular Age and collection of essays reflect a broad, deep mastery of culture, religion, political theory and the history of ideas. Throughout his life, his philosophy has been enriched by his participation in politics as well as by his personal faith.
Charles’ theme will ask if history can be seen as the site of a slow growth in ethical vision. Dare we say we are even getting better?
The smaller space of our selfish interests has to learn to relate to the vaster space where others matter apart from ourselves.
But how does this happen?
We see today how democratic societies can slip into wall-building and aggression against those who are threatening simply because they are different or needy. Love of country can lead to hatred of others.
Are we nevertheless slowly arriving at a common ethic that reflects the great truths of the wisdom traditions which will allow us to ‘lay down the burden of hatred’? And in this slow growth are religions being re-imagined, less as closed systems and more as paths of transformation?
The interaction of religion and politics is part of the changing theatre of our world
…Global warming, artificial intelligence, erosion of trust, clashing power-groups.
How will the shift of religion towards unifying interiority influence the outcome? And what is the role of meditators in all this?
THIS EVENT IS HELD ONLINE – CEST TIME ZONE
Thursday, 19 May
15:00 – 16:00 (CEST) Session with Charles Taylor
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee / Tea Break
16:30 – 17:30 (CEST) Q&A
Friday, 20 May
15:00 – 16:00 (CEST) Session with Charles Taylor
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee / Tea Break
16:30 – 17:30 (CEST) Q&A
Saturday, 21 May
15:00 – 16:00 (CEST) Session with Charles Taylor
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee / Tea Break
16:30 – 17:30 (CEST) Q&A
Sunday, 22 May
10:00 – 11:00 (CEST) Closing Session with Charles Taylor
11:00 – 12:00 Coffee / Tea Break
12:00 – 13:30 (CEST) Contemplative Eucharist and homily by Charles Taylor
This event is held online. Registrations give 1 year access to recordings.
Contribution for 3 sessions is £60 (concession price £45).
The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. Therefore if you’re able to give a little more we would be very grateful. If you need a concession please let us know. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resource.
Registration
On-the-Ground at Bonnevaux
You can experience this retreat in person and enjoy the benefits of all Bonnevaux can offer. Click on the button below to find out more.
How to Create Your Own Retreat
This online retreat is designed to be flexible around your daily life and time zone. Please visit here where we provide support on creating a rhythm and structure to your retreat: how much silence you would like, meditation times, reading of sacred texts, practicing yoga and more, plus other suggestions to help you embody the retreat and stay off-line as much as possible.
