Constantly bombarded by information and overloaded with knowledge, what we lack is wisdom. We need wisdom to grasp the heart of the issues that face us in both our personal lives as well our culture. So, can we “learn” wisdom? Yes, through the ancient art of storytelling…
Lauren Artress will lead us on the path of reflection on our lives through storytelling, song, discussion and writing prompts to stir our own personal stories. Drawing from the rich wisdom traditions around the world. these morning seminars will nurture wisdom through the labyrinth’s four-fold process: Remember as we are blessed, Release what no longer serves us, Receive guidance along the path and Return to our Ground of Being. Together we will create a wisdom community that connects, nourishes and deepens our capacity to evoke wisdom in our lives.
What better place to nurture wisdom than the sacred space of Chartres Cathedral. We begin with a reception to meet each other followed by an opening ritual and orientation to the program. Then each day, there is a morning seminar, a small processing group, and an experience of what Chartres has to offer. Tuesday evening holds a unique Pilgrim's Walk through the Crypt of Chartres Cathedral, on Wednesday, an orientation to the labyrinth and a once in a life-time candlelit labyrinth walk with medieval music on the Chartres Labyrinth, on Thursday a tour of the Cathedral itself, and a closing celebratory dinner on Friday.
Lauren Artress is author of Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice, The Sand Labyrinth Kit and The Sacred Path Companion: A Guide to Walking the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform (Putnam/Riverhead Books, New York). She serves as a Canon at Grace Cathedral and is Founder of Veriditas a non-profit dedicated to introduce people to the healing, meditative powers of the labyrinth. She travels worldwide offering workshops and lectures on the labyrinth including creating a twice a year program in Chartres, France.
In addition to being an Episcopal priest, she is a spiritual director and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. Artress is on the Editorial Board of Presence Magazine. For more about Lauren and her work visit: www.laurenartress.com
Suggestions for Reading:
On Chartres:
Malcolm Miller’s Chartres
Philip Ball’s Universe of Stone
Jane Welch Williams’ Bread, Wine and Money
On the Labyrinth:
Lauren Artress’ Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice and The Sacred Path Companion: Using the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform
Jill Geoffrion’s Praying the Labyrinth
On Medieval Times:
William Manchester’s When the World was Lit Only by Fire
On Storytelling:
Storytelling Magazine published by the National Storytelling Network www.storynet.org
Safety Concerns?
As you probably know, the U.S. government is continuing its Worldwide Caution with respect to foreign travel in general. France is not specifically mentioned in the latest update. On a separate website, the U.S. embassy in France notes that the French government is continuing its reinforced security measures. The State Department provides a program for concerned travelers to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency:
see Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
