Inner Sanctuary

Introduction

In this day and age of too much rushing and over-stimulation, we want to offer a time and place of replenishment for the soul.

Imagine an atmosphere of spaciousness, comfort and nurturing – a sanctuary. It would be a place where people can attend to their own “inner sanctuary” while in the company of others. As people take the time to tend to their spiritual needs, and develop a listening heart, they gradually become transformed by the Spirit. Nourished themselves, they can take this enrichment out to their world.

Welcome to “Inner Sanctuary” programs and events which are primarily for women, offered by Catherine Maine, a trained spiritual director and teacher.

What is “Inner Sanctuary”?

Inner Sanctuary is designed to help you learn and practice the simple, ancient skills of opening yourself to experience the presence of God. We will do this by attuning ourselves to the deep rhythms of the earth (the turning of the seasons), our own bodies and our lives.

The actual practices we will focus on are sacred circle dance, walking the labyrinth and quiet contemplation.

Now, as Jesus so often said, Do not be afraid! Previous experience or ability in dance are absolutely NOT required. Nor do you have to be an expert on labyrinths. These (and other) spiritual practices are given by God for all to learn and enjoy.

Where and When

Inner Sanctuary events will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd. The core program, called “Wisdom of the Seasons”, will consist of monthly 2 ½ hr women’s gatherings on one Saturday of every month, 9:30am to 12noon, from September to May. The only exception will be in December, when we will not meet that month but instead have a special gathering on January 2 to welcome in the New Year.

Here are the dates for 2009-10:

• September 26
• October 24
• November 28
• December – no mtg.
• January 2 (replaces December meeting)
• January 23
• February 27
• March 20
• April 17

For a handy overview of the whole program, go here.

An annual “urban retreat day” (date to be announced) is also being planned. Other special events are being arranged.

What to Expect

During most programs, we will do simple meditative dances, walk the labyrinth and have time for rest, reflection and journaling. We will drink some very special tea.  Bring along socks or slippers for walking the labyrinth and a journal and your favourite pen. You will find the setting gentle and relaxing.

Who can participate?

Inner Sanctuary events are open to all women, in the church and in the community.  Some events will be open to all adults.

What is “Sacred Circle Dance”?

Dance is perhaps the most ancient form of celebration and worship on the planet. It is the “sacred movement” or “body prayer” found in all cultures and religions.

Sacred circle dance represents a recent revival of this tradition. Founded in the 1970’s at Findhorn, Scotland by Bernhard Wosien, a ballet master and son of a Lutheran minister, sacred circle dance draws on all the world’s traditions. Wosien believed that dance had the power to heal and lift up the heart to God. His dances drew on specifically Christian sources and themes and on those of many other spiritual paths and cultures. Wosien saw the Spirit at work in them all.

Today, sacred circle dance is an international movement. Dance circles and teachers can be found in many countries and major cities around the world.

As the name suggests, the dances are done in a circle. We hold hands, and the circle brings us into community. We see each other and we move together and in the movement of our bodies we enter into the flow of the Spirit. We learn to dance the Spirit into life and into our consciousness.

What we receive from this experience is as individual and unique as the person who dances. Other spiritual practices such as journaling and walking the labyrinth can help us understand and “process” what we learn.

What is “walking the labyrinth”?

While not as ancient as dance, the form of the labyrinth also goes back thousands of years.

Here’s perhaps the one key thing to know: a labyrinth is not a maze! A maze is a puzzle where you have to try to find your way out. There are many false turns and dead ends. But a labyrinth is different: when you enter, the path goes back and forth in a rhythmical way but it always leads you to the centre. That same path leads you in the same way back out again – no guessing, no getting lost or frustrated! You just follow the path.

So now maybe you can see how walking a labyrinth is a spiritual practice: it’s about “following the path”, a path that takes you to the centre or “heart” of things – your own heart, the heart of God.

With a labyrinth you don’t have to figure anything out or plan for where you’re going – you let go and just follow the path. This “letting go’ enables your journey to become a “walking meditation”. Clear your mind or carry a question, thought or feeling with you, and when you enter the centre – a rose shape that represents the heart of Love – take some time to let the Spirit speak. Then go forth again, back out into the world.

No wonder people the world over have made use of the labyrinth for many centuries now. Followers of Jesus carved their beautiful patterns into the floors of some of the great cathedrals of Europe and today many churches in North America and elsewhere have them, too.
The labyrinth we use is a hand-painted canvas labyrinth created in July, 2009 by 18 people.  It is a smaller version of the great labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral in France. Underneath the deep purple paint, are hand-written hidden prayers contributed by church members and the community. It is easy to walk and located indoors, so we can use it all through the year.

To learn more about our labyrinth, and about Catherine, who leads the Inner Sanctuary program, read this article in the Waterloo Region Record.

Wisdom of the Seasons Workshops

Attend these gatherings of women to help develop your listening heart by deepening your relationship to our seasons. Come and replenish yourself in a comfortable and peaceful environment.

Location:

Church of the Good Shepherd.
116 Queen St. N. (at Queen and Margaret St) in Kitchener
Park in the church lot & enter at the side door.

Time: Saturday mornings from 9:30 – 12:00

Come wearing comfortable clothes. You are invited to wear particular colours or items that reflect the theme and the season if you wish. The program will vary with the theme and the season but we will always begin with a ritual of welcoming. Then we will join in a circle to do some sacred circle dances that help us express and explore the theme for that month. You may choose to hold in your hand a small piece of creation which will be provided as you walk the labyrinth. You will be invited to reflect on questions based on the seasonal theme and drawn from inspirational writings. Afterwards, we will have tea and a time for sharing before we say our good-bye’s.

These workshops have been designed as a set of nine; three each for autumn, winter and spring.  You would gain the fullest experience of the season by attending three seasonal sessions (e.g., all autumn), however, you may register by individual sessions.

The cost is $10 per morning retreat. Preregister as enrolment is limited. For information, or preregistration, contact or (519)742-2478.

Dates	Theme
Saturday, September 26	Harvesting the Bounty Autumn – bright fall palette, brass
Saturday, October 24	Releasing Autumn – deep fall palette, copper
Saturday November 28	Paring Away Autumn – muted fall palette, bronze
Saturday, January 2	Fresh Snow Winter – white, glass
Saturday January 23	Crisp, Clear Air Winter – look sharp, use accent colour
Saturday February 27	Heart-warming Fire Winter – red, gems
Saturday March 20	The Rich Earth Spring – earth colours, crystals
Saturday April 17	Fullness of Possibility Spring – pastels, silver
Saturday May 15	Greening Power Spring – green, gold

 

116 Queen Street North. Kitchener, Ontario N2H 2H7. 519-743-3845.