"Let Stillness be the Criterion for Assessing the Value of Everything."

These words of the fourth-century desert father, Evagrius, will serve to highlight this day of prayer and renewal led by Martin Laird, author of Into the Silent Land and A Sunlit Absence. Emphasizing one of the central paradoxes of the spiritual life, the Silence we seek is already shining out our eyes. Laird will focus on some of the more challenging aspects of the liberating surrender to the depths of the present moment, such as distractions, whether they be distractions of old pain, with their life-long refrains, or the superficial twitter of the habitually distracted mind. When met with stillness instead of inner commentary, all of these trials offer precious opportunities to deepen our contemplative practice and slowly teaches us that what we would rather sweep under the rug of our pain is a more effective teacher than floating around on a cloud of bliss.
The Annual Conference will be held at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the program ends at 3:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register early as seating is limited to 500 people. Coffee and rolls will be available. The event will feature a cold luncheon plate. Participants can choose between a grilled chicken wrap or a Portobello mushroom wrap. Entrees come with a salad, dessert and drinks. The $80 registration fee includes the lunch and parking.
We now can accept credit cards. You can register online or call the office to register if you need help. Of course, you can always mail in your Conference Registration Form as usual.