Words about love surround us. They console us, delight us, challenge us. But what is love? ‘Love’ is one of the most used words we have — and perhaps one of the least examined.
In this special Valentine’s Day morning of reflection and conversation, we will explore the Christian claim that ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8) — not as a sentimental or moral slogan, but as a profound statement about the nature of reality itself – and reflect on what this means for our understanding of who we are, and why we are here.
Within the Christian contemplative tradition, love is understood not simply as something we do, something we give and receive – but as the very presence of God.
Love is the source and energy of all that exists, the deep, creative goodness at the heart of our life. To say ‘God is love’ is to say that the deepest structure of reality is relational, that the whole of creation is fundamentally oriented towards communion.
In this understanding:
From this perspective, our spiritual growth (our becoming fully human) involves learning to recognise, accept and live from the love which is always present and available in our heart, because it is the heart of who we are.
Made in the image of God, who is Love, we do not discover truth and meaning in isolation, but in communion with one another and all that is, through love: through being loved, through loving.
‘Love…is its own reward,’ says St Bernard of Clairvaux: ‘Love is great because it returns constantly to its fountainhead and flows back to its source, from which it ever draws the water that continually replenishes it.’
The event has been carefully crafted to be inclusive and accessible, welcoming anyone seeking truth, peace, and spiritual renewal, regardless of their faith, beliefs or previous experience of meditation.
The workshop will include two talks, time for conversation after each talk, and a period of silent meditation practice.
Following the workshop, all participants will be invited to an optional online discussion evening, where people can join small break-out groups of 5-6 people to continue exploring the ideas raised. Three dates will be offered and we’ll proceed with the most popular one.
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. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamshala, India.
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. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.
Chris is the author of The Missing Peace – Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press.
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.
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