The mystical path is the very ground of our being, but one cannot traverse it when they are spiritually asleep and/or hypnotized by the social/technological world. A true mystical experience not only unshackles the mind from religious conditioning and dogmas but also enlightens the mystic beyond any secular view of the world and opens the heart to a passionate love of God. This retreat will look deeply into the varieties of mystical experience whose end goal is The God of Love. Utilizing the works of Christian mystics like Thomas Merton, Meister Eckhart, Evelyn Underhill, and Jan Van Ruusbroec; the poems of Sufi mystics like Shams of Tabriz, Rumi, and Hafiz; and the Hindu holy book The Bhagavad Gita, participants will gain insight into the mystical and contemplative traditions of various world religions and their own spiritual journeys. This retreat house away from the main ranch provides quiet and safe space for work that engages spirit and focus, dedicated to deep spiritual and artistic contemplation.
For participants who register for BOTH Journey To the God of Love and The Way of Thomas Merton: Receive Wednesday gap night, three additional meals and Thursday field trip to Christ in the Desert Monastery guided by Instructor Paul Jacob.