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Contact:
Ph. 250.802.2172 (c)
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Maureen
Wild, SC, M.Ed.:
International speaker, educator and retreat guide
with a focus on Sacred
Ecology – the weaving of spirituality, justice,
ethics and Christianity with insights from new cosmology, ecology
and contemporary theology -- I hope to contribute to the
transformation of consciousness by sharing this creatively evolving
work with others.
experience includes
serving as director of two ecological learning centres in Canada
and the USA;
keynote lecturer at
national conferences; Spanish translation of my programs in
Ecuador
featured in the book
Green Sisters, Harvard University Press, 2007
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Examples
of past public lectures, conferences, retreats and programs:
The John English Symposium, Ignatius
Jesuit Centre, Guelph, ON
Reflections
on Ecological Christianity & New Cosmology
co-guided with James Profit, SJ
Public Lecture,
Providence Renewal Centre, Edmonton, AB
New Shoots for
our Advent Journey - from
Despair to Hope in the Wasteland
Advent
Retreat, Providence
Renewal Centre, Edmonton, AB
New
Shoots in the Christian Tradition
- Growing a Christian Spiritual
Ecology
A Lenten Mission: for Churches on Vancouver Island - co-guided with
Margaret McIntyre
Cosmic
Pilgrim – Christian Pilgrim
Cosmology,
Ecology & Christianity Evolving
Silent Guided Retreat, Seton Spirituality Centre,
Terence Bay, NS
Growing
a Christian Spiritual Ecology
Guided Retreat, St.
Joseph's Renewal Centre, Mabou, NS
Mystics,
Visionaries & Prophets: Hildegard, Teilhard and Thomas Berry
Silent
Guided Retreat, Holy
Family Retreat House, Oxley, ON
Evolving
Christianity Rooted in Cosmic & Earth Awareness
… as followers of Jesus
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Thinking
about hosting a retreat, program or lecture offered by Maureen Wild?
Sample
Titles and Descriptions:
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At-one-ment:
Spiritual Homecoming to Cosmos, Earth & Our Authentic Selves
(one-day to three-day workshop or retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
Science offers us a new epic
story of our origins. An important task now is to ponder this new cosmology
- or universe story - in a contemplative way and try to grasp its deep
implications for our spirituality and way of being in the world. It
is an awesome story of our intimate relationship and kinship with the
whole of reality – from cosmic to personal, from macro to micro.
Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are in communion with it all.
This ‘great story’ continues to unfold all around us and
within us. A Creative Energy and Holy Mystery continues to birth the
stars in the sky, shape the mountains and valleys, tug at the waves
of the sea, and work through our minds, hearts, imaginations to call
forth the deepest dimension of what is means to be human. It is the
same blaze, whether in the initial flaring forth some billions of years
ago, or in the belly of a Supernova, whether at the heart of our Sun,
or at our own inner core. It is holy fire – and a sacred story.
Comments about this program:
"Having
just finished a doctoral degree in Applied Ecopsychology and being familiar
with much of the material, I was deeply impressed and educated by Maureen's
style, grace, and wisdom at experiential education and facilitation
with such cutting-edge material. She handled a very important but sensitive
subject with a most unique inherent skill and delivery. Maureen presented
a compelling and deeply educational workshop, with the wisdom seldom
seen in such subject matter. I will recommend her workshops as the highest
of professionalism, yet the deepest of compassion. Maureen Wild is a
very special educator." Dan
Shelton Ed.D., Springbank Retreat, Kingstree, SC
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Mystics,
Visionaries, & Prophets: Hildegard, Teilhard & Thomas Berry
(three-day to six-day
retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
This retreat turns to the thought
of three mystics within the Christian tradition – Hildegard von
Bingen, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and Thomas Berry. These mystics
celebrated the cosmos and earth as numinous or "afire" (as
Hildegard put it) with Spirit.
  
Hildegard, a 12th century visionary nun, healer,
and hymnodist of the Rhineland Valley, was the first female theologian
of the western world. She named Holy Wisdom incarnate in planetary
life as 'Humility.' Hildegard taught that the elemental communion
of cosmic life depended upon humanity becoming wise with and to the
ways of the earth. Justice demanded that humanity know how
to keep the 'current of power,' the green energy of Holy Wisdom (which
Hildegard named Viriditas), flowing through 'Humility’s
circulatory system.' For Hildegard, to pursue Wisdom was to become
‘earth literate.’
Finding divine love to be sunk even into the very "nature"
of cosmos, Teilhard, a 20th century paleontologist and French Jesuit,
challenged humanity to assume the full responsibility of our evolutionary
emergent human consciousness. Further, he insisted that spiritual energies
– like compassion, generosity, and humility – were a most
significant planetary energy; humans incarnating such energies could
generate something like a psychic encompassing field of communicative
compassion.
Our contemporary mystic Thomas Berry, an inspiration to perhaps millions
in the last three decades, challenged us to face the irony that our
contemporary commitment to ‘progress’ has actually depleted
basic life systems. Thomas frames this as a crisis of spiritual vision
- that we have lost the sense of the sacred revealed in and through
nature; that the cosmic and Earth community is a communion of subjects,
not a collection of objects. He calls us to relaim this deep reverence,
and our role as the consciousness of the universe, and to move towards
the practice of ‘biocracy’ - to think and to act in partnership
with the Earth community in our human decision making processes.
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Walking
with God in an Evolutionary & Sacred Universe
(one-day to three-day retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
Contemplate our oneness within an evolving and Sacred Universe, our
interconnectedness with the body of Earth, and an emerging worldview
and spirituality that evokes awe, wonder and amazement, enriches our
images of God, and inspires a heart-centered reverence before the elegance,
wisdom and beauty of creation’s ever-unfolding processes. In this
awakening Spirit of reverence and love is the wholeness that creates
Peace. Throughout this retreat is an interweaving of the mysticism of
Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas
Berry and contemporary nature poets and mystics.
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Reflections
on Nurturing an Ecological Christianity
(one-day to three-day
program/retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
Within a cosmological and ecological
context, this retreat looks at the person of Jesus with new eyes. Jesus
experienced nature as a place to pray and as a source of grace. How,
now, can we open up his parables: among them the lily so beautifully
arrayed, the mustard seed, the fig tree that bears fruit, a farmer pruning
back vine branches, the lost sheep, a fine pearl discovered in the ocean,
a treasure in a field … and many other metaphors and parables?
Reflect on Christ’s passion in our times, as it also relates to
our earth home in peril, and what it now means to ‘practice resurrection.’
In an ecological way, explore gospel-rooted values of ‘the Commons’
and the Christian virtues, Metanoia, healing and peace. All themes are
opened up in a contemplative and holistic mind-body-heart-spirit approach.
Comments about this program:
"You have a lovely
gift for presenting material that stretches one into new understandings
of the cosmos, deepens spirituality... and gets inside to rumble around
looking for an outlet ... the day will come." Rosemary Huddleston,
OP, Springbank Retreat, Kingstree, SC
"I liked the idea of
looking again through a 'new lens' at the world around us as well as
the scriptures. I'd never thought of the scriptures being "green"
before and the new awareness this brought to my understanding of them
was much appreciated." Imelda Cuthbertson, Gabriola Island,
BC
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“And
there shall come forth a shoot
out of the stock of Jesse,
and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.”
Isaiah 11:11
ADVENT
RETREAT
New Shoots in the
Christian Tradition:
Growing a Christian Spiritual Ecology
[This Advent retreat begins
on a weekend for persons who can only come for that length of time.
It then continues into the week with its deepening and integrating themes
and contemplative time.]
Advent invites us to experience
light in the midst of darkness and the birth of deeper Christ consciousness
within us. Our human role and our Christian purpose in the world are
ever on the advent of something new – new growth, new shoots from
the old. We are always being called to evolve and deepen our Christian
identity as we experience ‘the signs of our times.’ The
story of Earth, with the current unravelling of the intricate web of
life, and our particular cultural story being written in our time, calls
Christians to new depths of truth and wisdom, inner healing and outward
compassion for all of life. It is a deep psychic time for the human
– a time of breaking the old patterns within us as we reach for
‘the life that longs for itself’ from within. Christ’s
message is so deep for us now: “I came that they may have life,
and may have it more abundantly."
Come away to this special time
of advent retreat. Be still and present. Meet God in the silence of
your heart and the stillness and wisdom of creation, and in Jesus who
experienced nature as a source of grace, and the Christ-who-is-with-us
now. And may the graces that come be blessing and guidance for deeper
connections with God, the Lover of Life
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Growing a Christian
Spiritual Ecology
(three-day to seven-day
retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
[This guided retreat can begin
on a weekend for persons who can only come for that length of time.
It then continues into the week with its deepening and integrating themes
and contemplative time.]
Our human role and our Christian
purpose in the world are ever on the cutting edge of something new –
new ways of seeing, and new ways of being in love with our world. We
are called to evolve and deepen our Christian identity as we experience
‘the signs of our times’ (Vatican II). And what calls us
now? What are the signs of our times? The story of Earth, with the current
unraveling of the intricate web of life; the story of our cosmos and
our radical interconnectedness with all creation; and our particular
cultural story being written by our lives in our time; all of this calls
Christians to new depths of reflection and contemplation, truth and
wisdom, inner healing and outward compassion for all of life. It is
a deep psychic and spiritual time for the human soul – a time
of breaking the old patterns within us as we reach for ‘the life
that longs for itself’ from within, and awaken to ‘all the
Life’ that seeks its greatest fulfillment on our earth home. Jesus’
message is so deep for us now: “I came that they may have life,
and may have it more abundantly.” We yearn for inspiration to
encourage us along our Christian journey, and for an engaged and deepening
relationship with the Mystery of Life. Come away to this retreat to
be still, present and open to grace. Meet God:
- in contemplation, silence
and the wisdom of your heart,
- in the amazing wonders of creation,
- in Jesus who experienced nature as a source of grace … and the
Christ-who-is-with-us now,
- in the inspiration of Christian mystics - Hildegard, Francis, Teilhard
de Chardin, Thomas Berry and others - who loved God in all creation,
- and in the earth-loving legacy of our own faith-filled ancestors.
Comment about this program:
“At meditation
yesterday morning we had a great discussion on your teachings. Everyone
who was at your event was very impressed. Your terminology about new
lens really hits home. I think it takes time to adjust. Some of us do
not realize how cloudy the old lens is. It's also comforting to know
there are others who have been struggling with many of the Christian
teachings that we have understood from a 'child's' perspective and have
now come to a very comfortable 'adult' understanding. You are a blessing
to us. Thanks for sharing your vision with us.” Del McCarthy,
Gabriola Island, BC
Evolving Christianity
Rooted in Cosmic & Earth Awareness
… as followers of Jesus
The signs of our times invite
us to experience light in the midst of darkness and the birth of deeper
Christ consciousness within us. Our human role and our Christian purpose
in the world are ever on the advent of something new – new growth,
new shoots from the old. We are always being called to evolve and deepen
our Christian identity in light of new understandings. The story of
our sacred universe, and of our Earth, with the current unraveling of
the intricate web of life, and our particular cultural story being written
in our time, calls Christians to new depths of truth and wisdom, inner
healing and outward compassion for all of creation. It is a deep psychic
time for the human – a time of breaking the old patterns within
us as we reach for ‘the life that longs for itself’ from
within. Christ’s message is even deeper for us now: “I came
that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly."
Come away to this special time of summer retreat.
Be still and present. Meet God in the silence of your heart and the
stillness and wisdom of creation, and in Jesus who experienced nature
as a source of grace, and the Christ-who-is-with-us now. And may the
grace that comes be blessing and guidance for deeper connections with
our Living God.
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Rest
in Cosmic Love - Renew for the Great Work
(seven-day silent
retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
This contemplative retreat offers
a wholesome and creative body-heart-soul experience, weaving together
these elements:
• Outdoor prayer and movement
meditaion with gentle and progressive introduction to Chakra T'ai Chi
Chih
• A daily conference that weaves the wisdom
of our embodied spiritual nature with related insights about the powers
of the universe, and connections to creation-centered spirituality and
mystics within the Christian tradition
• Readings, questions and scriptural passages
for reflection
• Music, song and poetry to complement each conference
• Abundant silent time
• Optional mandela art, sacred circle dance and walks outdoors
as ways within which to integrate the theme of each day
• An optional daily sharing circle to receive from each other
• Contemplative closing to each day
Affirmation of this retreat:
"The Retreat moved through many steps in the dance. The movement
meditation each day, the visuals which drew me into the universe story,
the reflections, quiet time, prayers and music shaped a rhythm that
made the week a grace-filled time. The imagination was awakened and
hope renewed that we are at one with each other and with all "others".
Connecting myself to cosmic energy through the energy of the Chakras
deepened my practice and teaching of T'ai Chi Chih. Thank you, Maureen
for the oasis of refreshment." Margot Fish,
Toronto
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The
Work that Reconnects
- based on the teaching
of Joanna Macy
(three-day program) guided by Maureen Wild
Programs in The Work That Reconnects
help people transform despair and apathy - in the face of overwhelming
social and ecological crises - into constructive, collaborative action.
It brings a new way of seeing the world, as our larger living body,
freeing us from the assumptions and attitudes that now threaten the
continuity of life on Earth.
[Note: Maureen has been a student
of Joanna Macy's in numerous Intensive Training Seminars since 1999.]
Joanna Macy's endorsement of
Maureen's work:
"The work of
Maureen Wild inspires our deepest response to both the promise and the
peril of our time. In many settings over the years I have been privileged
to see how she awakens people to the sacredness of life, as well as
to the imperative for constructive action. She is a blessing to our
world."
Joanna Macy, PhD, Author,
Speaker, Facilitator of The Work that Reconnects
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The
Universe Story Sparks Imagination & Enlightens Our Way into the
Future
(three-day to one-week course or retreat) guided by Maureen Wild
“Imagination is everything”
(Albert Einstein) and its potential is being activated by growing numbers
who discover deep inspiration and guidance from the worldview of our
oneness within a sacred universe. Creative, life-sustaining solutions
embraced in the present begin to shape a future of hope and promise
for generations who will follow. The power of the collective imagination
is needed to evolve new modes of human presence with each other and
our earth home. Drawing on the wisdom of a new cosmology and the inspired
teachings of Thomas Berry, Joanna Macy, Brian Swimme and other contemporary
visionaries, content will be balanced with conversations and with integrating
body-mind-heart-spirit experiences indoors and outdoors. The context
is the Universe Story and its vast implications for the human to choose
and create a mutually beneficial human-Earth relationship. Topics include:
• Our Cosmic Story as Sacred Story
• Imagination as a New Form of Energy
• The Great Turning – Moving from the Industrial Growth
Society to a Life-Sustaining Society
• An Ethical Vision for Economics
• Responding to the 7th Generation
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Building
a Global Culture of Peace: The Earth Charter
(one-day program) guided by Maureen Wild
In a way that is intended to
inspire, this one-day presentation weaves together prayer and poetry,
input and reflection, images and song - all to enhance our sense of
interconnectedness with all peoples and all creation. It provides a
context for, and contemplative way to reflect on, the significance of
the Earth Charter as a tool for building a global culture of peace.
It links the cosmological values (of respect for differences, honoring
interiority of all others, and celebrating our oneness/communion) with
the principles of the Earth Charter.
“The Earth Charter
is an ethical vision for the peoples of the world by the peoples of
the world. It is a declaration of fundamental principles for environmental
protection and for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global
society. It seeks to inspire in all peoples a sense of global interdependence
and shared responsibility for the well being of the human family and
also the larger living world.” (Earth Charter)
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Purpose
& Program Objectives:
1. Provide content that assists
participants to open to expansiveness in worldview and 'see' in new
ways.
2. Provide a holistic understanding and integration of our interconnectedness
with all creation.
3. Explore enrichments to our images of God communicated through the
unfolding creation story.
4. Offer Christians new ways to embrace our faith within an ever-expanding
ecological and cosmological context of meaning.
e.g. explore more deeply Jesus' teachings/parables through his use of
images in nature; re-examine the Christian virtues within an ecological
framework; broaden the context of our Christian spirituality of compassion
and healing - from a human-centered (anthropocentric) emphasis, to a
life-centered (biocentric) focus
5. Engage with each other throughout the process, as learners growing
in consciousness and in understanding the implications for human responsibility
and our Christian response.
6. Deepen commitment for the healing of ourselves, the elements, and
the multi-species community of life.
7. Balance the integration process with a body-mind-heart approach to
the teaching. Weave into the reflective experiences music and song,
images and symbol, poetry and story, gentle body movement and prayer.
8. Provide silent contemplative
time and contemplative practices to assist with the integration process.
9. Provide helpful resources - 'tools' - to continue the journey of
deepening consciousness, contemplation and response.
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Endorsing
the work of Maureen Wild:
“Maureen Wild is a very
special person with whom I had the pleasure of working for a year, early
in her development of a loving approach to our Earth with its global
problems and crises, and formation of a hopeful gentle way of uncovering
the truth and moving forward. Because the Earth and its current suffering
have become a real part of Maureen’s life and prayer, her approach
to healing it has integrity and clarity. I think that she is a part
of the forming conscience of Earth’s People, and the growing immune
response to all that is detrimental to life. Maureen freely conveys
rootedness, presence, insight and empathy. She offers a clear option
for the protection of all life on Earth.”
Rosalie
Bertell, PhD,
GNSH, Founder of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health
“Maureen Wild is
grounded in an uncommon understanding of the challenges implicit in
humanity's realization that we live in an evolving Universe, whose living
planet Earth is facing into unprecedented crises. Her long contemplation
of these new scientific insights has enabled her to weave into them
both the spiritual heritage of Earth's diverse religious and cultural
traditions, and the new possibilities for shaping the ecological and
sustainable alternatives that open our future to hope. She is a leader
in opening the directions and energy for shaping an Ecozoic Era.”
Miriam
T. MacGillis,
OP, Founder of Genesis Farm
"The work of
Maureen Wild inspires our deepest response to both the promise and the
peril of our time. In many settings over the years I have been privileged
to see how she awakens people to the sacredness of life, as well as
to the imperative for constructive action. She is a blessing to our
world."
Joanna
Macy,
PhD, Author, Speaker,
Facilitator of The Work that Reconnects
”In the presence
of Maureen Wild one feels a contagious sense of hope and empowerment.
Her keen sense of the ecological challenges of our time, her lived experience
of engaging with those issues (through her work at Genesis Farm and
the Centre for Earth and Spirit), and her grounded sense of the spiritual,
all result in a synthesis of wisdom and practical knowledge that is
comprehensive, enriching and empowering. And all this is conveyed in
her lectures and workshops with a persuasive sense of clarity and credibility.”
Diarmuid
O’Murchu,
Author, Speaker
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