Programs to Inspire, Transform, and Heal
Step out of daily life for a few days to learn with others in a spirit of deep community support.
Schedule is subject to change.
We had a wonderful, enriching time. Thank you for tending to our every need as we allowed ourselves to go spiritually deeper. It felt like everything you did was to support our journey. The Center never disappoints. Thank you for the sacred space.
note from a retreat program presenter
Program Start and End Times
Unless otherwise noted, retreat programs begin at 7 pm and end at noon.
Our Monthly e-Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. We send mid-month. Here is our August issue. We appreciate your interest in The Christine Center and hope you are able to visit soon.
Painting from Soul: Intuitive Painting Open Studio
August 17-20 (Thursday-Sunday: Daily 10 am-12:30; 2:30-5:00)
Commuters welcome!
With S. Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD
Jumpstart your natural creativity in a fun and supportive community of happy painters! (Come with a friend!) For those with every level of artistic experience. Learn More
The Compassionate Heart
August 18-20 (Friday-Sunday)
With Henrita Frost, SSND and Johanna Seubert, FSPA
Discover the power of the human heart for compassion. Empowered by the practice of Loving Kindness Meditation allow yourself to engage in a journey with compassion. Sense it flowing from your experience of self-compassion and moving to embracing all beings and the environment with an all-inclusive loving kindness – omitting none, as we offer healing to the Global Community. Finally, we will take time together to weave compassionate actions. Surprise yourself with your capacity for love and compassion. Learn More
The Art of Relaxation
August 25-27 (Friday-Sunday)
With Tracy Hart, CYT
Learn Techniques to relax the mind, release the nervous system and develop an overall sense of peace and tranquility. Sessions will incorporate periods of yoga exercises, breath work, conscious relaxation, Yoga Nidra and seated meditation. It will also include a restorative yoga session with crystal singing bowls. All levels welcome. Enjoy! Learn More
Low Back Care with Yoga and Meditation
August 25-27 and November 12-14 (Fridays-Sundays)
With Bill Miller, CYT
All gentle yoga practices will focus on low back care with modifications provided to insure you can participate. A meditation practice can help with both pain and anxiety reduction. You will also practice simple meditation techniques to develop a clear view of your habits that create blocks to a happier, healthier life. Learn More
The Diamond Approach to Inner Work
An On-going International Program
With Carol and Neal Carbon
August 31-September 3; December 7-10 (Thursdays-Sundays).
The Ridhwan School is accepting new students for the Diamond Approach to Inner Work: Midwest Group 3, which meets at the Christine Center. The Diamond Approach is a path of spiritual realization characterized by sincere inquiry into one’s experience, fueled by the love of truth. Learn More
Ayurveda, Yoga & Meditation
September 8-10 (Friday-Sunday)
With Andrea Russell
Going on retreat offers an opportunity to let down the stresses of life and deepen your yoga and meditation practices. You will learn Ayurvedic self-care rituals and daily routine recommendations to align harmoniously with the season, so your health and well-being may flourish. More Information Here
Aging into Higher Consciousness
September 13-15 (Wednesday-Friday)
With Delmarie Gibney and Lucia Leck
During this interactive workshop, we will awaken to new ways of engaging in our aging process, including life review, forgiveness work, issues surrounding our mortality, and the essential role of spiritual development in our later years, including serving others and leaving a legacy. Learn More
2017 Christine Center Hildegard Festival
September 15-17 (Friday-Sunday)
Hosted by S. Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD with special guest presenter, Jean Feraca.
An annual tradition at the Christine Center, the Hilde-Fest is a celebration of all things St. Hildegard: music, art, food and the bold stature of soul this 12th century saint inspires!
This year we ask, “Why Hildegard Today?” and we’ll participate in a wild and wonderful presentation of St. Hildegard’s “Play of the Virtues”.
In good company, and adorned in “spiritual jewels”, we’ll share St. Hildegard’s heroic Soul’s Journey to God and experience her high hope for humankind in the healing of our world. Learn More
Experience a Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation Weekend
September 22-24 (Friday-Sunday)
With Sr. Marge Zulaski, Sr. Johanna Seubert and Annie Lea
This weekend offers a taste of our Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation Program. Meeting in a circle of people who seek spiritual depth, we will learn and practice ways to connect with spirit and each other. This is an opportunity to explore if this program is a fit for you.
This weekend will satisfy your curiosity about what it’s like to participate in one of the sixteen weekends in this three-year program. Learn More
Meditatio
n: Taming the Mind, Unlocking the Heart
September 25-27 (Monday-Wednesday)
With Lama Yeshe
The foundation practice the Buddha taught is meditation. It is a way to tame our minds so they behave better. And, we all have a noble heart full of wisdom, love and compassion. Another type of meditation we will learn during this retreat will aid in releasing these wonderful qualities of our noble heart. Participants will have the opportunity to meet individually with Lama Yeshe during the retreat. For all experience levels. Learn More
The Four Immeasurables
October 6-8 (Friday-Sunday)
With Susan Mickel, MD, PhD
Buddhist psychology emphasizes the importance of cultivation of awareness of positive states of mind, ones that lead to increased happiness, along with awareness of negative states that perpetuate suffering and ways to let go of them.
This weekend workshop focuses mainly on attuning to the positive Four Immeasurable states of mind, loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, which are considered to be aspects of our innate true nature. Learn More
Mahamudra Level 1, Meditation Taught in the Pointing Out Way Style
October 8-15 (Sunday-Sunday)
With Susan Mickel, MD, PhD
Recognition, and cultivation of dwelling in the innate love/compassion/wisdom awareness that is our true nature is the heart of meditation from the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist perspective. The simplicity, peace, and power of this true nature are ordinarily clouded over by our habitual patterns of thought and emotion. This retreat will draw on teachings from the Indo-Tibetan essence traditions of Mahamudra and Dzogchen with Theravada teachings as a strong basis. Learn More
The Seven Secrets to a Happier Life
October 6-8 (Friday-Sunday)
With Jose Gomez, MD
This retreat will help you to accomplish:
Greater Wealth – Happy people do much better in their jobs/careers than their equivalent unhappy counterparts.
Better Physical Health – Happy people typically have less cardiovascular problems, lower blood pressure, good control of blood sugar, increased immunity with less infections, and better appetite control with a healthier weight.
Better Mental Health – Happy people have fewer episodes of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia and experience more compassion, optimism and high self-esteem.
Improved Relationships – Happy people enjoy better communication, more understanding, and higher levels of satisfaction in their family, at work, and socially.
More Positive Feelings – Happy people report increased emotional well-being, gratitude, vitality, calmness, courage, desire to learn new things, and satisfaction in life. Learn More
Painting from Soul: Intuitive Painting Open Studio
October 12-15 (Thursday-Sunday)
With S. Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD
Join a supportive community of happy painters! Each day includes two creativity coaching sessions with Gabriele. Her intuitive art studio provides a “judgement-free zone” for breaking old patterns and discovering fresh creative possibilities. If you’re an artist, dare yourself to stretch into fresh creative possibility! No art skill needed. Gabriele trained in the intuitive painting method of Michele Cassou, and has over 30 years’ experience in using art as spiritual practice. Learn More
Learn an Easy Hands-On Healing Technique – Canceled
Oct 24-25
Solitude and Silence Retreat Days
October 15-20 (Sunday-Friday)
Spiritual Guides: Father Tom Borkowski and Franciscan Sister Marge Zulaski
Come discover how being alone in solitude and silence can awaken a deepening connection to soul and spirit. The retreat days offer groups silent meditation, Eucharistic liturgy, the wonders of the Christine Center’s natural sanctuary, and walking trails in the woods. Learn More
Nurture Your Nature Women’s Retreat
October 20-22 (Friday-Sunday)
With Coleen Elwood and Tara Cindy Sherman
Seeing With the Eye of Your Heart: Introductory Wisdom School PART B
October 23-26 (Monday-Thursday)
With Beth O’Brien, accompanied by Ann Baltes
Following the Benedictine rhythm of ora et labora (prayer and work), this 4-day experiential retreat will offer an introductory immersion into Wisdom Work.
Silence, group teachings, instruction in spiritual practices, and group meditation will provide the framework to introduce retreatants to the Christian contemplative tradition.
Pre-requisite: an established meditation practice. Learn More
Robert Sardello, PhD with Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD
November 2-6 (Thursday-Monday)
We welcome Robert Sardello back to continue the inquiry into our natural capacity for transformative spiritual deepening. These days are intended for those familiar with Robert’s work of Spiritual Psychology and other interested long-time spiritual seekers. If you desire insightful inner engagement in a manner that is entirely practical and grounded in Silence, heart-presence, and contemplative listening for the sake of the relating heart and for the sake of the heart of Earth, these days are for you. Learn More
Low Back Care with Yoga and Meditation
November 12-14 (Sunday-Tuesday)
With Bill Miller, CYT
All gentle yoga practices will focus on low back care with modifications provided to insure you can participate. A meditation practice can help with both pain and anxiety reduction. You will also practice simple meditation techniques to develop a clear view of your habits that create blocks to a happier, healthier life. Learn More
Yoga Nidra: The Healing Power of Extreme Relaxation and Effortless Meditation
Nov 14-15 (Begins Tuesday at 2 pm-Wednesday at 3 pm)
With Patricia Wack
Tuition: $95. plus meals and lodging
Yoga Nidra is the most powerful relaxation technique known. It means conscious deep sleep. Experience supreme relaxation of body and the most profound stillness of mind. This transforming, deep, blissful state of consciousness is the perfect condition for physical and emotional healing. It is helpful in treating diseases and exhaustion caused by stress. Patricia has been a practitioner of various styles of yoga for 20 years. She taught basic fitness classes for 7 years specializing in fitness for older adults. She is experienced in the Yoga Nidra technique as taught by Roberta Hodges.
Uplift Yoga Retreat: Exploring Your Inner Space through Mala, Mudra & Mantra
November 17-19 (Friday-Sunday)
With Kate Karshna
Join in this year’s annual Uplift Yoga Retreat at the Christine Center, to learn about yourself, and how yoga practice can help illuminate our tendencies, aversions and attractions. Experience ways to harness the many tools of yoga in order to live a a life of intention. For every stage of Yoga practice. Learn More
Thanksgiving Mandala-Making: Open Studio
November 24-26 (Friday-Sunday)
With Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD
Creating a Mandala is art as a contemplative spiritual practice. Mandala-making can bring wholeness and healing. You’ll have historical, spiritual and cross-cultural examples of mandalas available for inspiration along with expert instruction and support. No art experience is necessary; all materials are provided. Learn More
Mindfulness Immersion: Steer Your Life in the Direction of Your Dreams
November 24-26 (Friday-Sunday)
Lamont McPheron MS, LPC and Jai Lynn Kellum LMT, RYT
Do you have an undercurrent of stress or anxiety? Do you want to remember how to relax into clarity? Do you want to learn techniques that will empower you to be the director of your mind? Learn to move your consciousness towards relaxed clarity and focus. Learn how and why to use mindfulness as a method of building emotional resilience and wellness. Lamont and Jai Lynn blend discussion, yoga, qi gong, sound meditation, sitting mindfulness and breath work for a content rich experience. Learn to become the director of your thoughts and therefore your life. Explore ways to transform an agitated mind and unproductive thought patterns into a serene and clear mind. Learn More
Ayurveda, Yoga & Meditation
December 1-3 (Friday-Sunday)
With Andrea Russell
Going on retreat offers an opportunity to let down the stresses of life and deepen your yoga and meditation practices. You will learn Ayurvedic self-care rituals and daily routine recommendations to align harmoniously with the season, so your health and well-being may flourish. More Information Here
The Diamond Approach to Inner Work
With Carol and Neal Carbon
December 7-10 (Thursday-Sunday)
The Diamond Approach is a path of spiritual realization characterized by sincere inquiry into one’s experience, fueled by the love of truth. The immediate contact with the truth of our experience allows the unfoldment of our Soul to reach increasingly deeper levels of truth. Our work includes meditations, teachings, movement, and experiential exercises. Carol and Neil Carbon are senior Diamond Approach teachers and lead groups around the country. Learn More
Prayer by Heart and Hands: A contemplative prayer-bead crafting retreat!
December 15-17 (Friday-Sunday)
with S. Gabriele Uhlein, PhD and Anastasia Dzenowagis, BA, BS, MIM, PMP
This retreat is specially designed for mindfully crafting contemplation cord from S. Gabriele exclusive collection of beads.
Anastasia has extensive professional jewelry making experience, and makes beading simple and enjoyable.
We will hold each other in a circle of contemplative creativity. Bead by bead, we will tell stories, share our experiences and most importantly, join our hearts and hands together in the practice of intercession and compassion. Learn More
Sound and Silence
December 15-17 (Friday-Sunday)
With Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, PhD (right) and Wendy Kohlhaas, ICS, CSAC, LPN
Two practices based on praying from the heart frame this retreat. Sounds produced by gemstone crystal and Tibetan bowls help purify and raise the vibration of the body. In the pure sound that hangs you release aches and tensions of a lifetime. Sacred singing, mantras, toning and giving voice can move us toward higher states of well-being. Learn and practice simple chants to pray when there are no words. Each tone makes its journey into deep places within the soul and align us with divine harmony. Learn More
Myofascial Release Weekend
December 15-17 (Friday-Sunday)
With Laramee Paradise, CMT
Tuition: Meals and lodging, plus $25 room fee.
Contact Laramee at 612.232.4669 before registering through the Christine Center. Discover steps toward your potential as a MFR therapist. You must have taken at least one seminar by John F. Barnes, PT.
Soul-tending, Dream-listening: Welcoming 2018!
December 27-January 1 (Wednesday-Monday)
With Sisters Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD and Marge Zulaski, OSF, PsyD.
Begin 2018 with grace and spiritual poise! These retreat days are an opportunity to attune to the wonderful energy of Dreams and the transformative heart of Silence. You are invited to join in the contemplative schedule of the Christine Center and to be nourished by both the deep winter quiet and our delicious vegetarian meals. Learn More
Time, Talent and Treasure. There are so many ways to support the Christine Center:
What are your favorite ways to give?
- Attend a retreat and shop in the bookstore.
- Donate by phone, mail or online.
- Tell a friend about the Christine Center or invite them to go with you on retreat.
- Share a post about the Christine Center on social media and like us on Facebook.
- Forward our emails to your network of family and friends.
- Volunteer your unique talents.
- Make an in-kind donation such as garden tools, recliners for hermitages, or other items on our wish list.
- Include the Christine Center in your will or living trust.
Want to discuss how you’d like to support the Christine Center? Then let’s talk! Contact Ann Swanson at aswanson@christinecenter.org to start the conversation.
Support Our Mission
Make an impact; make a difference. Every gift really does matter.
With Heart-Felt Gratitude Always!