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Hybrid: Contemplative Rest Winter Series
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Hybrid: Contemplative Rest Winter Series

4.85278 reviews
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Up to 25 in group
Date
January 10 - February 7, 2026

Retreat Highlights

  • — You may come to understand resources in your life you never knew you had.
  • — You may find a basic kind of peace work in this heart-calming practice that enhances your everyday and is an antidote to anxiety, to looping bad memories, to triggered reactions, to despair…
  • — You will be guided to recall numinous experiences in your life, sometimes fleeting moments of wonder or ease during an exceptional time, and sometimes experiences in ordinary moments that turn suddenly astonishing and wondrous.
  • — In guided visualizations, M will lead participants through exploring, savoring, honoring, and reflecting on those personal experiences.
  • — Your curiosity may deepen through noticing emblematic gestures, images, sounds, and words that heighten precise moments and expand atmospheric love.
  • — You will begin a Contemplative Rest journal.
  • — You will be invited into reflective writing, group sharing, and evocative listening.
  • — You will participate in and contribute to the remarkable expansiveness of personal experience through community practice.
  • — You will be invited into a deeper and shared awareness of the numinous, through Cinema Divina, M’s practice of contemplative film screening.
  • — Difference and diversity are valued, respected and hoped for.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A five-session winter series
Saturdays January 10, 17, 24, 31 & Saturday February 7.
All sessions are 9am-noon Pacific time.

Series Overview

This 5-session series introduces participants to Contemplative Rest is a relaxing, present-moment, embodied meditation practice which draws somatically on previously lived experiences of the numinous—wonder, connectedness, ease, love, mystery, revelation—in order to, among other things:

cultivate peace in one’s own heart and in the world
mitigate stress, anxiety, habitual over-reaction, and other difficulties
enhance connectedness, curiosity, and kindness
strengthen one’s experience of community and sense of belonging
improve general wellbeing and mindfulness.

Contemplative Rest founder M Freeman teaches the meditation practice, gently guiding participants through an initial preparation—selecting past experiences, savoring those experiences in vivid somatic detail, reflecting on them, and sharing discoveries and insights. Folks can expect a spacious schedule that will include guided and silent meditations, reflective writing, sharing and listening, and Cinema Divina film screenings.

For a detailed schedule and additional information please visit— https://marilynfreeman.com/contemplative-rest-winter-series/

Schedule

Open-hearted folks of all backgrounds are welcome. This series is for folks who’ve never heard of Contemplative Rest, and for those who’ve attended previous Contemplative Rest trainings. No prior experience with meditation practices is necessary yet seasoned practitioners may find inspiration, centering, and fortification. Maybe you are seeking peace, stillness, inspiration, insight, or healing. Whatever you are seeking, bring your heart’s desire, and know you will find yourself among kindred spirits.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory

Directions

https://g.co/kgs/wWdzZCg

Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Accommodation

We have ten retreat bedrooms, most of which are equipped with two twin beds. The rooms may be shared if you are coming with a friend or partner, but generally there is just one person per room. Our building is set back among the trees so the rooms stay fairly cool. There is heat in each room for the colder nights. Each room has a sink, mirror, chair, desk, and small closet area. Towels and linens are provided, but please bring your own toiletries. Bathrooms are shared and showers are available. Retreatants are welcome to join the Sisters for Mass, Praise, and meals. There is wi-fi available in the Priory Library from 8:30am-8:00pm everyday. The Priory Store is also open on Fridays and Saturdays. Plenty of walking trails wind around the Priory's property and are open to retreatants. Spiritual Direction is available upon request at an additional charge.

Price five-session series
Price five-session series & Lunch

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.

We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan icon Vegan
Vegetarian icon Vegetarian
Pescetarian icon Pescetarian
Ayurvedic icon Ayurvedic
Includes Meat icon Includes Meat
Organic icon Organic
Gluten Free icon Gluten Free
Dairy Free icon Dairy Free
Nut Free icon Nut Free
On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass

What's Included

  • In this series, Contemplative Rest founder M Freeman teaches the meditation practice, initially guiding participants gently through necessary preparation—
  • selecting past extraordinary experiences,
  • savoring those experiences in vivid detail,
  • and reflecting on them from your current perspective.

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Much Needed!
This was my first personal retreat at St. Placid, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Besides my full time work in a local church, I also provide in home care to my parents who are 95 and 96 and who both have dementia. Self care is important to those who care for others, and this time was much needed for me. The two nights and three days I spent at St. Placid were restful, tranquil, and rejuvenating. From the moment I arrived until I left, I was offered warm welcome and hospitality. The food was excellent. The sisters are all interesting conversation partners at meals. My room and facilities in the Spirituality Center were comfortable and well equipped. The grounds are beautiful in a forested location, and I was able to take walks, enjoying the Autumn colors, around the local area. You can pretty much make your personal retreat at St. Placid what you need it to be, whether it's silence, meditation, and prayer, reading or study in their wonderful library, or just a time of rest and fellowship. I plan to be back in the future!

5.0
Verified logo
Great Place For A Quiet Retreat
This was my first time at St. Placid Priory and I would definitely return for another retreat. Comfortable, quiet accommodations, very clean, delicious meals served by the in house chef, if you choose to include some meals in your stay, shared kitchen for making your own meals has what is needed and breakfast items included in the kitchen! Areas outside your room for quiet - a small parlour, the "Julian room," the chapel in the main building. Large trees all around and paths for walking - beautiful grounds. Just off the Interstate and easy to access. You can join the sisters for worship if you desire. A good experience. Those coming for retreat should perhaps be aware that both women and men can be guests, should the assumption be that only women will be here on retreat.

5.0
Verified logo
Exactly what I needed
I was frazzled from a month of intense activity and had another busy month coming up so a retreat was a perfect way to rest, redirect, recharge. The wooded setting, silence, liturgy along with the calm presence of the Sisters was a balm.

5.0
Verified logo
Learning about my shadow
To Sister Paz Vital: I am so grateful for you and for the workshop you gave us this weekend.  I learned so much, much I didn't know or didn't understand, even after years of reading Jung and others' work about the shadow.  You took us step by step, in such a short time, into deeper understanding. You presented the information in an engaging and enlightening way, and your quick understanding and intelligence shone in every question you addressed.  I loved especially the story of the two wolves.  That is how my mind was finally opened to the necessity of feeding and attending to my shadow.  Thank you!

5.0
Verified logo
What a blessed day!
This was indeed a blessed day for me. I loved how Sr Angela started our time with Lectio. Working outside with the group felt like prayer in action. We came back pink cheeked, glowing from exertion, and rejoicing in God's nature, community, and life. Thank you, Sr Angela.

Select your options

Available Dates
January 10 - February 7, 2026
  • $275.00
    Price five-session series
  • $335.00
    Price five-session series & Lunch
Book Now

Policy Info Refund & Cancellation Policy

The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.

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