Star Gazer W42

A Conversation with Ron Klok on Monk Therapy

We connected with facilitator Ron Klok this week to learn more about the upcoming retreat Monk Therapy: Ancient Spiritual Practices & Modern Mental Health taking place November 15-17th at The Star of the North.

Star Gazer: Tell us a little about yourself and the story behind Monk Therapy?

Ron: My background is pastoring in congregational ministry (20 years) and currently I have my own professional counselling practice (ronklok.com).  These two career paths reflect my longstanding interest in psychology and spirituality and how the two intersect. What we might not realize is that the Christian mystics were pretty good psychologists themselves and much of what they did is reflected in modern practice today. My personal journey has taken me through personal therapy (psychology) and then on to Ignatian spirituality, a Catholic Jesuit spirituality that takes seriously the movements and workings of the inner life. The primary "book" for the mystics was the heart, and it was by entering into one’s heart that you come to have intimacy with yourself and God. I oftentimes tell people that although I was raised Protestant, I have a Jesuit soul.    

Star Gazer: Who is this retreat for?

Ron: This retreat is for anyone who is interested in mental health and the intersection between psychology and Christian spirituality. You will also learn a lot about some of the mystics, and a lot about modern psychological understanding and practice. What is more, I hope to leave ample time for self-reflection and conversation.     

Star Gazer: What can you tell us about the format of the weekend? What can participants expect?

Ron: In this retreat we will look at nine spiritual practices of the Christian mystics—talk, tears, self-knowledge, group, breath, trauma, track, imagination, imitation—how they parallel modern understanding and practice, and how we can incorporate the ancient practices into our modern lives for better mental and spiritual health. I will do some presenting on each subject, and then will have participants engage in some of the practices of self-reflection and prayer, and we will also have time for Q and A.

We hope you can join us for this incredible weekend with Ron Klok.

Monk Therapy: Ancient Spiritual Practices & Modern Day Mental Health
Friday, November 15 at 7:00 pm
to Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 pm

Registration: Live-In $395 | Commuter $325 | Online $270

www.starofthenorth.ca/monk

Next Saturday with Maureen Wild, SC

“We should be listening to the stars in the heavens and the sun and the moon, to the mountains and the plains, to the forests and rivers and seas that surround us, to the meadows and the flowering grasses, to the songbirds and the insects and to their music especially in the evening and the early hours of the night. We need to experience, to feel, and to see these myriad creatures all caught up in the celebration of life.”  —  Thomas Berry

Next Saturday, October 26 marks the first session in our To Love the Sacred Earth & Cosmos series with master teacher on spiritual ecology, Maureen Wild, SC. Maureen’s education and life work has focused on the evolving story of our universe and earth literacy. She was a founding member of the international network, Sisters of Earth, who follow the teachings of Thomas Berry and explore cosmos/earth as manifesting our sacred story with its many implications for living in balance and right relationship. Maureen has served as educator and director for two ecological learning centres (US and Canada), and has led spiritual ecology programs and retreats internationally for 25 years. 

The Love Our Sacred Earth & Cosmos retreat series, explores teachings within the writings of cultural historian and geologian Thomas Berry as they interweave with the wisdom of nature-centered mystics and of nature-inspired scientists. Though there are a total of 4 sessions in this retreat series, folks are welcome to register for individual sessions. Maureen will be presenting online from her home on Gabriola Island. Each session is two hours long and includes a contemplative break. Those who participate in-person at The Star of the North are welcome to stay the rest of the afternoon to process and reflect in a retreat style fashion.

We hope you can join us online or in-house with Maureen Wild next Saturday. 

St. Hildegard’s ‘Viriditas’ meets Thomas Berry’s ‘Spirituality of Earth’
Saturday, October 26th, 2024, 2:00-4:00 pm MT

Registration: $40 | For more information visit www.starofthenorth.ca/cosmos 

A focus on Hildegard’s concept of Viriditas, the greening power of God, merging with reflections on Thomas’ essay The Spirituality of Earth—Earth’s processes expressing an abiding numinous presence, that is, an intrinsic spiritual quality from the beginning.

“The soul is a breath of living spirit, that with excellent sensitivity, permeates the entire body to give it life. Just so, the breath of the air makes the earth fruitful. Thus, the air is the soul of the earth, moistening it, greening it.” —  Hildegard of Bingen

Contemplative Prayer at The Star of the North

"Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:11

Thanks in part to the success of our Bridges to Contemplative Living program, interest in contemplative prayer practices seems to growing. Do you recognize a longing for inner silence and healing? How do you nurture your inner sense of quiet, faith, and well-being in a fast-paced world with many demands? Star of the North offers many opportunities for you to grow in contemplative prayer. Wherever you’re at on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to join us!

• Centering Prayer: What is It & Why Do We Do It? A brief introduction to contemplative practice on Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30-8:30 pm
• Weekly Drop-In Centering Prayer Group meeting every Tuesday from 2:00-3:00 pm
• Waiting in Stillness: Advent Contemplative Prayer Retreat from Friday, December 13 at 1:00 pm to Sunday, December 15 at 1:00 pm
• Contemplative Lenten Journey with Anita Allsopp will run from February 26-April 23, 2025 (details coming soon)

Ron Rolheiser & The Star of the North

We’re so grateful to have Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI once again serve as a keynote presenter throughout our signature Aurora Living: Formation Through Word & Creation program. This month Ron will be presenting on Creation & Incarnation. In our spring module starting January 24, 2025, Ron will talk on The Wilderness as Transforming Us.  

We also welcome Ron back at the end of November for his annual public lecture and retreat. Please register today—early registration ends November 1st. Registration details through the links below. We hope you can join us!

Public Lecture Early Registration (by November 1): $25 | After November 1: $30

Retreat Weekend Early Registration (by November 1): Live-In $355 | Commuter $285 | Online $230
After November 1: Live-In $395 | Commuter $325 | Online $270