11 – 14 June 2027. 

Worlds open up to us when listening to the words of Jesus in the language he originally spoke. The Aramaic language has layers of meaning that can bring us into understanding more of who Jesus is, his teachings renewed, intriguing. Join us for this exploration of the Aramaic Jesus that holds so much to nourish and inform our lives today.

In this retreat we will engage in the simple process of lectio divina (contemplative reading) alongside exercises attending to the breath and body and sounds and senses, exploring the fresh understandings that arise as we learn something of a new way of listening, second nature to those who spoke Aramaic at the time of Jesus. Over the days, we will lovingly listen to the Aramaic “Lord’s Prayer”, and ponder its many possible translations, letting them speak to who we are.

We will become immersed in the universality of Jesus’ teachings, beyond where we might ‘belong’, speaking simply to our humanity, to the essence of each of us. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has spoken of Jesus as either a fully enlightened being or a bodhisattva of a very high spiritual realisation … whose life clearly demonstrates a being who has affected millions of people in a spiritual way, bringing about their liberation and freedom from suffering. All are welcome to join us in this exploration.

Campfire in the Heart is a sacred place of retreat set on Arrernte land along the East MacDonnell Ranges seven kilometres from the centre of Alice Springs, Mparntwe. The retreat will draw on the silence of Country, immersed in the wide skies and desert lands of central Australia. Over the days in this ancient evocative landscape, we will explore the Aramaic Jesus, encouraging each other in our listening and in our ‘noticing’ in the way of dadirri and other contemplative practices, sharing around the campfire each evening what has ‘come’ to us, been revealed. Our hope as we open up these sacred texts, is increasingly to attune ourselves and our times of silent prayer to the rhythm of the place where we are, to all and everything.

Retreat Guides

Paul Taylor will lead the retreat with Judi Taylor. Paul has been involved in the works of Neil Douglas-Klotz for about 30 years and is delighted to explore them with this retreat group. Judi and Paul have recently handed over the day-to-day running of Campfire to Nicola and Jorge who’ve been previously involved as managers. Judi and Paul have a strong commitment to contemplative prayer and life as being a way through these challenging times, and see Campfire a wonderful place to explore such.

Cost: Packages from $429 – $643

From late Friday afternoon 11th June until Monday lunchtime 14th June.

Price includes all meals and accommodation in a private room, for 2 nights ($429) or 3 nights ($643)

ENQUIRIES Judi & Paul Taylor wccm@campfireintheheart.com.au

To enquire about possible scholarship assistance taylor.judi@outlook.com