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Hybrid: Contemplative Rest: Nurture resiliency and peace in ourselves and the world

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Up to 25 in group
Date
July 9 - August 2, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • — You may come to understand resources in your life you never knew you had.
  • — You may find a basic kind of peace work in this heart-calming practice that enhances your everyday and is an antidote to anxiety, to looping bad memories, to triggered reactions, to despair…
  • — You will be guided to recall numinous experiences in your life, sometimes fleeting moments of wonder or ease during an exceptional time, and sometimes experiences in ordinary moments that turn suddenly astonishing and wondrous.
  • — In guided visualizations, M will lead participants through exploring, savoring, honoring, and reflecting on those personal experiences.
  • — Your curiosity may deepen through noticing emblematic gestures, images, sounds, and words that heighten precise moments and expand atmospheric love.
  • — You will begin a Contemplative Rest journal.
  • — You will be invited into reflective writing, group sharing, and evocative listening.
  • — You will participate in and contribute to the remarkable expansiveness of personal experience through community practice.
  • — You will be invited into a deeper and shared awareness of the numinous, through Cinema Divina, M’s practice of contemplative film screening.
  • — Difference and diversity are valued, respected and hoped for.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A five-session summer series
Wednesdays July 9, 16, 23 & 30, plus Saturday August 2.
All sessions are 10am-noon Pacific time.

Series Overview

Contemplative Rest is a relaxing, present-moment, embodied meditation practice which draws somatically on previously lived transcendent experiences—moments of awe, connectedness, mystery, revelation—extraordinary experiences of the numinous in which we feel one with everything.

In this series, Contemplative Rest founder M Freeman teaches the meditation practice, initially guiding participants gently through necessary preparation—selecting past extraordinary experiences, savoring those experiences in vivid detail, and reflecting on them from your current perspective.

What to Expect

—  You may come to understand resources in your life you never knew you had.

—  You may find a basic kind of peace work in this heart-calming practice that enhances your everyday and is an antidote to anxiety, to looping bad memories, to triggered reactions, to despair…

—  You will be guided to recall numinous experiences in your life, sometimes fleeting moments of wonder or ease during an exceptional time, and sometimes experiences in  ordinary moments that turn suddenly astonishing and wondrous.

—  In guided visualizations, M will lead participants through exploring, savoring, honoring, and reflecting on those personal experiences.

—  Your curiosity may deepen through noticing emblematic gestures, images, sounds, and words that heighten precise moments and expand atmospheric love.

—  You will begin a Contemplative Rest journal.

—  You will be invited into reflective writing, group sharing, and evocative listening.

—  You will participate in and contribute to the remarkable expansiveness of personal experience through community practice.

—  You will be invited into a deeper and shared awareness of the numinous, through Cinema Divina, M’s practice of contemplative film screening.

—  Difference and diversity are valued, respected and hoped for.

—  You will have the opportunity to join regularly practicing contemplatives. This series concludes on August 2, flowing directly into the First-Saturday Contemplative Rest group practice offered monthly for those who have participated in Contemplative Rest training.

Who This Series is For

Open-hearted folks of all backgrounds are welcome. This series is for folks who’ve never heard of Contemplative Rest, and for those who’ve attended previous Contemplative Rest trainings. No prior experience with meditation practices is necessary yet seasoned practitioners may find inspiration, centering, and fortification. Maybe you are seeking peace, stillness, inspiration, insight, or healing. Whatever you are seeking, bring your heart’s desire, and know you will find yourself among kindred spirits. Read More

Schedule

Open-hearted folks of all backgrounds are welcome. This series is for folks who’ve never heard of Contemplative Rest, and for those who’ve attended previous Contemplative Rest trainings. No prior experience with meditation practices is necessary yet seasoned practitioners may find inspiration, centering, and fortification. Maybe you are seeking peace, stillness, inspiration, insight, or healing. Whatever you are seeking, bring your heart’s desire, and know you will find yourself among kindred spirits.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Read More

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory

Directions

https://g.co/kgs/wWdzZCg

Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn) Read More

Accommodation

We have ten retreat bedrooms, most of which are equipped with two twin beds. The rooms may be shared if you are coming with a friend or partner, but generally there is just one person per room. Our building is set back among the trees so the rooms stay fairly cool. There is heat in each room for the colder nights. Each room has a sink, mirror, chair, desk, and small closet area. Towels and linens are provided, but please bring your own toiletries. Bathrooms are shared and showers are available. Retreatants are welcome to join the Sisters for Mass, Praise, and meals. There is wi-fi available in the Priory Library from 8:30am-8:00pm everyday. The Priory Store is also open on Fridays and Saturdays. Plenty of walking trails wind around the Priory's property and are open to retreatants. Spiritual Direction is available upon request at an additional charge.

Price five-session series Read More
Price five-session series & Lunch Read More

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.

We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir Read More

Meals

Menu Types

On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass Read More

What's Included

  • In this series, Contemplative Rest founder M Freeman teaches the meditation practice, initially guiding participants gently through necessary preparation—
  • selecting past extraordinary experiences,
  • savoring those experiences in vivid detail,
  • and reflecting on them from your current perspective.
Read More

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Better than an Airbnb :)
I have been coming to St. Placid Priory & Spirituality Center for over a decade. It’s been a well of rest and refreshing. The moment I arrive, I feel at peace, grounded, and open to what my time here will be. Through the chaos and noise of everyday life, this is a place that has been healing and nourishing for my soul. There’s not many places that provide true respite, but I’ve been thankful to find that here. Read More

5.0
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women retreat
I love that they brought us in as a group. we have work with sister paz all year long and this was our final hurrah before final week Read More

5.0
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LWS 2025 graduation
I Love this Priory as well as the Spirituality Center. It is quiet, 'nestled in' and seems to welcome one right into that space. The facilities are well cared for and inviting.

It is felt that it is Christ Centered, Heart Centered...it's atmosphere cultivates contemplation yet brings forward a child like joy in all of the iconic art throughout both buildings. The Sisters and Staff provide the seriousness and intent of walking a true path, being respectful to those on such a journey, and providing an atmosphere where God is welcomed into whatever conversation may arise...internal and external.

I would best describe it as a Sacred Space to invite deeper reflection and inspiration.


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5.0
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Weekend Silent Centering Prayer Retreat at St. Placid Priory!
I really loved the Weekend Silent Centering Prayer Retreat with Sr Anna-Camille
The food it's very good and the price is affordable.
I am looking forward for another retreat. Read More

5.0
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Contemplative Retreat
I have been to St Placid Priory several times. It is so peaceful and welcoming. I always come away feeling rested and cared for. This last weekend in Lent was just what I needed to refresh my Contemplative and centering prayer practice. I met and engaged with folks from other faith backgrounds and appreciated sharing our stories and experiences. I learned a lot. From walks in nature to delicious meals and comfy cozy accomodations, the retreat center calmed my weary heart. My only wish is that it lasted longer. The sisters are and support staff were so kind. Read More

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