15 – 20 August 2027. 

Drawing on the nature writings of Thomas Merton, and others, this retreat encourages us to listen to the silence of life. In silence we may hear the hidden language of nature; the conversation of Life communicated not in words but through the Word of ineffable grace.

How are we to enable human reawakening to the natural world as a primary manifestation of the Divine? We start with simply paying attention and listening to the voice of silence within creation.

This retreat will encourage our sustained attention to the nature of which we are all a part through our practice of meditation and simply being present to Country. The retreat will invite a movement from self-consciousness to a simple awareness of reciprocal relationship with elemental life.

“There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness” – Thomas Merton

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 draws 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 all this and more, encouraging each other 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 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 Guide

Linda Chapman is founder and leader of Open Sanctuary at Tilba, an ecumenic contemplative community for peace, based in a small church at the foot of Gulaga on the far south coast of NSW. She is an ordained Anglican and a Benedictine Oblate of the WCCM. Linda has been engaged for many years with the interface between the practice of meditation and real world community engagement and environmental advocacy.

Cost: Packages from $450 – $1,095

From late Sunday afternoon 15th August until Friday lunchtime 20th August.

There will be 3 levels of accommodation offered, numbers are limited in each level, all-inclusive prices for the 5 nights are

* Private room $1,095 per person

* Shared room $775 per person

* Swag camping $635 per person

* It’s possible to come daily (non-residential) $450 for all sessions and meals

Free accommodation (in a caravan) is sometimes available for one volunteer, in exchange for their assistance throughout the event, ideally arriving a few days before the retreat and staying on afterward to assist with clean-up and preparing for the next guests. Minimum 2-week volunteering stay. More information about volunteering here.

NO. OF PARTICIPANTS Around 15

ENQUIRIES Linda Chapman opensanctuary.tilba@gmail.com

To enquire about possible scholarship assistance contact Judi Taylor wccm@campfireintheheart.com.au