Upcoming Events and Programs

Pray and Paddle events include two programatic options:

1) Paddling with Lectio Divina. On the water we share in Lectio Divina, an ancient practice of listening to a piece of sacred
wisdom, three times. Each reading includes a question followed by and extended time of paddling in silence. In this way our
paddle is accompanied and shaped by the sacred wisdom, our thoughts and the experience of being on the water. Each paddle will draw from a particular source of wisdom i.e. Sacred texts. Poets: Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, Amanda Gorman. Indigenous wisdom: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Joy Harjo. Interfaith voices: Fr. Thomas Merton, Saint Francis, Rabbi Abraham Heschel, Thich Nhat Hahn. Transcendentalists: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau. Conservationists: Rachel Carson, John Muir.

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2) Contemplative Paddles begin with the teaching of a meditation mantra or a spiritual practice such as Centering Prayer. We then paddle in silence allowing the mantra or method of prayer to help us to live in the moment, to paddle mindfully.

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All paddle events are primarily in silence. We believe that silence can lead to a place of deeper understanding, connection and meeting with that great mystery that goes by many names: God/ Spirit/Creator. 3000 years ago, the prophet, Isaiah said: ‘Listen and your soul will live.’ ~ Isaiah 55: 3. Thomas Keating, the Trappist monk said: ‘The Creator’s first language is silence.’  John Muir put it this way: ‘Into the wild I go to lose my mind and find my soul’. Indeed!

 

Robin Wall Kimmerer in her book, ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’, reminds us that in the natural world, we are part of an intricate ecosystem. Our neighbors include the water plants, turtles, muskrat, fish, loon, duck, osprey. On a Pray and Paddle we become aware of our deep relationship with creation and indeed, with the Creator.