Location
North Carolina School of Celtic Consciousness
Year I: ‘In the Beginning was the Gift’
Join us for a time of learning, chant, and spiritual practice rooted in the Celtic vision of John Philip Newell. This is the inaugural gathering of the School of Celtic Consciousness at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. The School of Celtic Consciousness is a place to nurture a community of shared vision and spiritual practice for transformation in our lives and world. Teachings by John Philip Newell will focus on the central themes of Celtic Spirituality, the sacredness of the earth and the human soul. The theme for the first year curriculum is ‘In the Beginning was the Gift’ (Pelagius, St Brigid, and Teilhard de Chardin).
More information coming soon!
In 2016, John Philip Newell founded the School of Celtic Consciousness. He did so in the belief that Celtic wisdom is needed at this moment in time, urgently. It is a spiritual tradition in the Christian household that can nurture vision of mind, strength of soul, and compassion of action.
The School has a three-fold purpose:
1. To consciously access the wisdom of our Celtic Christian inheritance.
2. To deepen spiritual practice in relationship to this wisdom.
3. To translate this study and practice into compassionate action.
Curriculum
The School of Celtic Consciousness follows a three-year curriculum. In other words, the themes of Year I will not appear again until the fourth year. The curriculum years do not need to be taken in any particular order; participants may join at any stage and over a three year period receive the full curriculum of teachings. Participants are also welcome to interchange locations. For a full listing of options, please visit the School of Celtic Consciousness section of our website found here.
The theme for Year I is ‘In the Beginning was the Gift’ (Pelagius, St Brigid, and Teilhard de Chardin). Required Reading: Listening for the Heartbeat of God by John Philip Newell. The recommended prayer book for the School is Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter by John Philip Newell.
Our daily schedule will consist of prayer at the beginning and ending of each day, presentations by John Philip Newell, followed by meditative practices, silence, and sharing. Meals will be shared in common, and there will be free time to hike and rest as well as a party on the last evening to celebrate our time together.
The School generally begins in the early evening on the first day (around 5:00 pm) and concludes after lunch on the last day (around 1:00 pm). Registrants will receive a more detailed schedule and arrival information within three week of the beginning of the event.
Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Montreat is a private, non-profit conference center with roots in the PC(USA). For over 100 years, they have been a place set apart for those who journey there seeking a closer relationship with their Creator. All are welcome. Their mission is to create space for people to encounter God through relationships, renewal, recreation, and rest.
Montreat Conference Center is located at:
401 Assembly Drive
Montreat, NC 28757
More information coming soon about rates and registration.
Each year Heartbeat provides scholarships to make attending the School of Celtic Consciousness accessible to all. Our goal is to deepen an individual’s spiritual journey and to ground, sustain, and enhance their efforts towards healing and transformation in their own unique context.
We are pleased to offer scholarships for this offering of the School of Celtic Consciousness for those with financial need. More information coming soon about how to apply.
