Woman at the Well

Across traditions, a personal experience with the Divine is encouraged as a way to affirm the truth of our being. Entering into the experience of a sacred story reveals that it is for us and about us. The 4th Chapter of John provides such a story. Encountering Jesus, as the Samaritan woman did at the well, can lead us into greater awareness of the truth. Jesus challenges each of us to ask questions about who we are and what our relationships mean.

This one-day workshop will be an introduction to the Samaritan Woman Retreat, which consists of nine meditations based on the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at the well in John’s gospel. Each meditation is meant to lead you progressively through this story at many levels that will be personal to you. Within such encounters, we can be set free from self-limitations that keep us from living a fully alive spiritual life. In this retreat, you will experience a taste of this process through two kinds of meditations—Lectio Divina and Ignatian contemplation.

Additionally, participants will receive information about the spiritual director’s handbook developed as a tool for spiritual direction. Along with the nine meditations, the handbook describes the foundational work the retreat is based upon and additional resources for the director. The full retreat includes journaling with Reflection Questions, Directees’ Prayer and Jesus’ Response. This retreat is founded within Biblical, Benedictine, Ignatian and 12-Step spirituality and Jungian psychology.

Ways in which to go through the nine meditations with a trained Spiritual Director (in person or by phone) will be presented. You can later incorporate these ways into your practice using the materials provided to customize this retreat for your directees.