29 - 31 January 2027
Why did Jesus say the kingdom is like a mustard seed that someone planted illegally in their garden? Why did he choose a follower of another religion to show what it means to be a good neighbour?
Through his parables, Jesus challenges us to questions our most deeply held assumptions about God, ourselves and one another. Through stories of ordinary people and everyday life, he overturns our familiar ideas about who belongs, what matters, and where God is to be found.
For Thomas Keating, the much-loved monk and teacher of contemplative prayer, these stories reveal Jesus as an extraordinary wisdom teacher whose message was as revolutionary as it was liberating.
Most importantly, the parables invite us to follow Jesus’ path of contemplative transformation, to enter the kingdom of awakened awareness, to live with greater freedom, generosity and compassion.
Through a flow of talks, silent meditation practice and opportunities for conversation, this weekend retreat will explore the radical, and often unheard, dimensions of the contemplative and social wisdom of Jesus’s parables. Drawing on Thomas Keating’s Meditations on the Parables of Jesus, we will explore:
- the mustard seed – a forbidden act becomes an invitation to discover the kingdom growing quietly in the ordinary places we overlook
- the barren fig tree – our apparent spiritual failure may be the very place where God is drawing us into greater trust and love
- the hidden treasure – the treasure of the kingdom is freely given, but to think of it as a personal possession is to miss its meaning and purpose, which is love
- the good Samaritan – God’s love crosses the boundaries of religion and belonging, revealing itself in acts of kindness and compassion.
- the great dinner – God comes to those who consent to come to God with their lives just as they are
- the new wine – the life of the Spirit bursts the confines of our familiar ideas and structures, calling us to new ways of living
For Keating, as for the Christian contemplative tradition as a whole, ‘The kingdom is available right now.’ It is not a distant place, or somewhere we must earn the right to enter, but a present reality, within each of us, waiting to be recognised.
Through the parables, we discover a radically different understanding of the kingdom and what it means to live in it. Through silent meditation, we begin to discover this reality for ourselves, as we learn to loosen our hold on the fears, judgments and demands that shape how we see the world.
As we become less caught up in seeking security and approval, protecting ourselves and trying to control our lives, we become more open to the presence of God in ourselves, in one another and in the world around us.
The parables begin to speak to us not simply as stories to be understood, but as invitations to a different way of seeing and living. We begin to recognise the kingdom not as something distant or separate from everyday life, but as a reality we can awaken to here and now.
Who is this for?
This retreat is offered as a shared journey. It has been carefully crafted to be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith or beliefs. We warmly welcome people who are completely new to meditation or have been practising for many years. Participants will arrive with different levels of experience and this is part of the richness of the retreat. The rhythm of teaching, silence, and shared reflection is designed to support this diversity, offering space to listen, to ask questions, learn from others and to be accompanied along the way.
What to expect
Being on retreat is a precious opportunity to be still and to be silent — to step back from conversation and distraction, and to practice living simply and peacefully. It allows us to cultivate the gift of peaceful awareness as we devote ourselves more fully to the depth-dimension of faith and life.
The core focus of the retreat is silent meditation practice.
- We will practice bringing peaceful awareness to all our daily activities – while sitting, while walking or eating, when we are simply enjoying a glass of water. We will practice living each moment deeply.
- The practice of silence will commence when the retreat begins at 4pm on the Friday and continue until lunch on the Sunday, with a few structured opportunities for conversation and shared reflection as described below.
- Although the practice of silence may be new to some, most people find this a powerful and wonderful experience. Maintaining a quiet and peaceful environment – walking, moving, and doing things quietly – is important for our practice and a gift we can offer to each other.
Our approach is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, with a focus on the practice of silent meditation. You can learn more about the method we teach here.
When are there opportunities for conversation for people who’d like them?
- Small discussion groups interspersed throughout the weekend, hosted by Chris, provide an opportunity for up to seven people to meet and explore together a question or two about their meditation practice, or how practice relates to what they have heard during a talk or to daily life. We can learn so much sharing with and listening to others.
- The last session of each day will be an opportunity for conversation together – to reflect on the content of the talks and what we have experienced through the day.
- There will be conversation during Sunday lunch. And you’re warmly invited to arrive early for lunch on Friday or stay after the retreat to connect with fellow retreatants.
Practical information
A detailed timetable for the retreat will be sent to everyone attending a week before it begins (or is available on request sooner). The retreat starts on Friday at 4pm with an orientation talk, followed by a period of silent meditation before dinner. Talks across the weekend will be balanced with periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, time for private practice, shared reflection and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The retreat will finish at 3pm after lunch and a closing conversation on Sunday.
Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:30am with meditation practice. Early morning meditation is a wonderful way to greet the day together. Many people find this session especially meaningful, but if it is difficult for you for any reason, please don’t worry. It is always enough to do what we can — or what our life allows.
Venue, accommodation, meals and costs
Ripon College Cuddesdon is an Anglican theological college set in beautiful parkland just outside Oxford. With its peaceful gardens, simple chapel, and rhythm of prayer, it offers a deeply grounding environment for reflection and retreat. The quiet beauty of the surroundings and the college’s long tradition of spiritual formation make it an ideal setting for contemplative practice and shared silence. Prices include all teaching, accommodation and meals and are between £300 – £330 depending on your room choice.
Event leader
Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in England. Chris’ monastic teachers taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Chris regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. Chris is the author of The Missing Peace – Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press.
Testimonials
“From start to finish, the retreat was incredible. The schedule was ideal: a mix of lectures, meditation, silent meals and private practice. This was my first experience of The School of Contemplative Life and I drove 9 hours on a gut instinct to attend. It was worth every minute. This is the kind of teaching I have been searching for! Thank you for making it possible. I feel relieved and excited to have landed on a path I can trust. I know I can learn, develop and grow under such guidance. Post-retreat, I feel a sense of inner peace and calm that is new.. .a wonderful beginning.”
“There is so much that I valued about this retreat and so many things I will be taking forward: being given the opportunity to practise meditation multiple times through the day, the teaching, the peace, the fellowship with others, learning to train my mind.”
Terms
Events organised by The School of Contemplative Life are subject to our Event Terms & Conditions (available in full here). Where an event is organised and hosted by a third party, their own terms and conditions apply.
Please note: our events and those we contribute to or lead on behalf of a third party should be understood as providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. If you have any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you to attend and make sure you always follow your medical practitioner’s advice.
All Bursary applications are administered by The School of Contemplative Life in accordance with our Bursary Guidelines.
Booking:
Retreat, accommodation and meals in a standard room: £300 - Book Here
Retreat, accommodation and meals in an ensuite room: £330 - Book Here
For any queries please call 01865 874404 or email [email protected]