Friday 29 May - Sunday 31 May 2026
‘To be a peacemaker means, first of all, becoming a person of contemplative prayer and active nonviolence.’ So writes Father John Dear – internationally known peace activist, teacher of nonviolence, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee (nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu).
In this experiential retreat, Chris Whittington (in person) and Father John Dear (joining us live via Zoom from the United States for two extended sessions) will reflect together on a question that is both deeply personal and urgently global: what if peacemaking begins not with strategy or ideas, but with cultivating peace in ourselves?
If the Gospel is truly the Gospel of Peace, then peace is not merely an ethical demand. It is a way of being, arising from a renewal of the mind, a transformation of consciousness. Nonviolence is not simply a political stance or tactic. It is rooted in the recognition that all life is sacred — that we are already united in the oneness of God. From this understanding flows active love, truth, justice and reconciliation.
This retreat explores the inseparable relationship between meditation (silent prayer) and peacemaking — how meditation helps disarm us inwardly so that we can live in peace outwardly.
Through a flow of teaching, extended silent meditation practice, and opportunities for conversation and shared reflection, we will explore:
- Jesus’ call to nonviolence as a way of life
- How meditation can help expose and heal the causes of violence – and cultivate peace from within
- The Beatitudes as a blueprint for Christian life and path of transformation
- What it means to become a peacemaker in a divided world.
This retreat is not simply an invitation to reflect on peace, but to allow the Gospel of Peace to come alive in us – to become the peace our world so badly needs.
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 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.
When are there opportunities for conversation for people who’d like them?
- Small discussion groups interspersed throughout the weekend, hosted by Chris, which 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. Also, you're warmly invited to arrive early for lunch on Friday (at additional cost) 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 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.
For anyone who would like to do some pre-retreat reading, we warmly recommend Father John Dear’s ‘The Beatitudes of Peace’ (available here) and Chris Whittington’s ‘The Missing Peace: Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness’ (available here). These texts offer a rich theological and practical foundation for the themes we will explore together, and can help prepare the heart for the work of inner disarmament and the way of peace.
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. Prices start from £300.
Event leader
Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life and will host the retreat. 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. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala, India. Chris is the author of The Missing Peace published by Canterbury Press.
Retreat contributor
Rev. John Dear will join us for two live online sessions during the retreat (Friday evening and Saturday evening). John is an internationally known teacher of Gospel nonviolence, long-time peace activist, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee (nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu). A former Jesuit, but still a priest, he has worked for decades alongside figures such as Daniel Berrigan and has been arrested numerous times in campaigns for peace and justice. John is the Founder and Director of the Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus (www.beatitudescenter.org), hosts the weekly global podcast The Nonviolent Jesus, and is the author of more than forty books, including The Nonviolent Life and The Gospel of Peace.
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.”
Booking
Prices include all retreat resources, accommodation and meals:
All ensuite rooms are now fully booked.
Retreat and accommodation in a standard room with shared bathroom: £300
All our paid-for events are priced to cover costs (rather than make a profit) so they are as accessible as possible. However, if you are struggling to make ends meet, please don’t hesitate to email us and ask for information about our bursary scheme.
If you have any questions…
Please email [email protected] with any booking or logistical queries.
Please email [email protected] with any queries relating to the retreat content.
The School of Contemplative Life Terms and Conditions
In accordance with our Terms and Conditions (available in full here), our events should be understood as only providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. Many people report subjective improvements in general wellbeing through meditation practice. However, if you or anyone you intend to book a ticket for suffer from any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you/them to attend an event with us.