Corona virus update: Holland House is committed to working within Government Guidelines along with Health & Safety best practice to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests and staff. We have no plans to cancel events from the House Programme at present and are honouring our commitments to groups that are currently booked to come. We continue to encourage future bookings.
Cancellation Insurance: Please consider taking out cancellation Insurance before booking. One-off events can be insured for as little as £6 covering up to £3500 of cost – more than adequate for any event at Holland House. This does not affect our cancellation policy, which will be applied in 100% of cases. For more details go to the “About” tab on the home page.
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Fri02Oct202010:00 amHolland House
The freedom from "lock-down" feels to many of us like its created more problems than it's resolved - life just got even more complicated.
Juggling family responsibilities and work commitments while looking after our own health (mental and physical) is getting increasingly difficult.
This day is for anyone that needs some space to re-collect themselves, sooth body and mind, and enjoy some "me" time - a time to re-balance.
The yoga postures will be accessible to everyone (all body-shapes and sizes) and meditation / mindfulness practice suitable for all.
The day will be led by the Warden of Holland House, Revd Ian Spencer - a trained Hatha Yoga teacher and Zen meditator and includes lunch and refreshments
The day concludes at 4pm
Here's the link to book your place ......Gentle Yoga and meditation
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Thu08Oct20209:30 am
One of a series of day retreat’s on offer throughout 2020, working with the teachings of Fr Richard Rohr, Franciscan Friar, author and leader of the Centre for Action and Contemplation.
Led by Rev'd Ian Spencer these retreats are based on themes from Rohr's book of daily meditations "A Spring within us".
Theme for today is "Letting go". Rohr writes "to paraphrase Meister Eckhart, the spiritual life has much more to do with subtraction than it does addition. All great spirituality is about letting go........ we tend to think at almost every level that more is better .... [however] .... "less is more" and Zen has come to prominence in the West as we have now come to realise this". We will be exploring the theme of "letting go", including letting go of the need to be right !
Each day will include teaching, discussion and free time to practice/consider what we’ve learned.
The day will conclude with a contemplative Holy Communion service (optional but all invited) followed by afternoon tea at 4pm.
Cost £40 and includes morning coffee, 2 course lunch and afternoon tea.
To book your place on this popular retreat click here
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Fri09Oct202010:00 amHolland House
Autumn - the time of "mists and mellow fruitfulness" has always been a time of quietening down after the frenetic months of summer
This Autumn perhaps more than any other for a long time is a welcome time for such peace - its been a long and difficult summer for us all.
Holland House is delighted to welcome back Revd Peter Knight to lead us in one of our Autumn Quiet days on October 9th - a lovely day to find some peace and relaxation - to get in tune with the mellow season of rest and quietness.
If you'd like such a day, along with a lovely lunch and refreshments - here's the link to book your place....Autumn Quiet Day
The day starts at 10.00am concluding at 4pm with tea.
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Sat10Oct202010:30 am
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Sat17Oct2020Sun18Oct202010:00 amHolland House
Through-out the Covid 19 pandemic Holland House has reached-out to many through it's email-based "Comfort in Crisis" series of reflections.
The author of the Comfort in Crisis series, Revd Ian Spencer, is offering a short weekend (10.00am Saturday 17th Oct - 4.00pm Sunday 18th Oct) for anyone who'd like to take an extended break from the stress and strain of it all and find some comfort within the continuing crisis that is Covid 19.
This short weekend is especially helpful for those involved in the Front-Line of care, whether professionally or personally - a time to relax, re-charge, encounter "that peace which the world cannot give".
During the weekend Ian will offer some short reflections, yoga postures (accessible to everyone - all body-shapes / sizes), and meditation and times of peacefulness.
Opportunities for one-to-one discussion with Ian will be available during the weekend.
Click here to book your place Comfort in Crisis short weekend
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Wed21Oct202010:00 am
“PRAYING DIFFERENTLY” is for folk looking for a richer experience of prayer.
Many of us find prayer either difficult, less than satisfying, or have grown bored with it.However the Christian faith has a very rich heritage of prayer, for example prayer ropes, icons, meditation, rosary, nature-based, chanting, scripture-based, and more. This one day retreat explores a variety of prayer practices, and can be booked by individuals with a maximum of 4 people at any one time (more by prior appointment). It's not necessary to come as a group. This allows for personal discussion time with the tutor in the afternoon.If your prayer life isn’t as rich as you’d like it, "praying differently" offers other ways and practices. See and experience prayer afresh, and regain your enthusiasm and commitment to the sacred and transforming practice of prayer.
To book click here ...https://www.hollandhouse.org/product/praying-differently-wednesday-21st-october/
Led by Revd Ian Spencer, Warden of Holland House.
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Fri30Oct2020Sun01Nov20205:00 pmHolland House
This retreat is for anyone interested in the work of Benedictine Monk Fr Bede Griffiths, or in how the experience of India can help illuminate the Christian tradition in new ways.
John Ryder writes "Many Christians have struggled to find the Christ we know in our hearts in the churches where we grew up. We imbibed an image of God delivered in dualistic terms, excluding perspectives from other spiritual traditions.
Jane Lichnowski and John Ryder, along with Revd Ian Spencer, will offer a weekend to facilitate a deepening process of spiritual understanding through an exploration of the Katha Upanishad. This accessible Hindu scripture opens up questions of life and death, and invites us to journey into the ultimate nature of who we are. It provides an opportunity to hear and reflect on the Katha Upanishad, held within the Benedictine rhythm of the day as at Shantivanam (Bede's Indian monastery), with times of meditation and prayer, silence and sharing. Also, opportunities for yoga, contemplative walking in the beautiful grounds, and an Indian-style Eucharist.
This is a unique opportunity rarely offered in the UK, do book early to secure your place. Email Revd Ian Spencer if you have any queries (ian.spencer@hollandhouse.org)
To book your place, visit the shop on this link Bede Griffiths - Going Beyond
Jane Lichnowski and John Ryder are founder-members of the Bede Griffiths Sangha, a loosely - knit community of people formed 25 years ago after the death of Father Bede. (see www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk)
Revd Ian Spencer is an Anglican Priest, Warden of Holland House, and yoga teacher.
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Sat07Nov202010:00 amOn line
Holland House is thrilled to announce a wonderful opportunity to hear international retreat leader, priest, author and social psychologist Diarmuid O'Murchu speaking on the subject of the "coming of age" of Christian spirituality.
Based on his recent book, When the Disciple Comes of Age, Diarmuid O'Murchu, priest and social psychologist, will explore the spiritual challenges of our time as more people seek adult ways to engage and express their search for a deeper spirituality.
"Embracing an adult perspective of faith requires adjustments to inherited wisdom. For some it means discarding a great deal of what no longer feels credible or useful. For others it means reworking the tradition to make it relevant for the 21st century......."
The event will provide an opportunity to ask Diarmuid questions and also take-part in both plenary and "meeting room" conversations.
Begins 10.00am, finishes 3.30pm
After booking a place via our online shop we will later send you the itinerary for the day, along with Zoom link.
To book your place follow this link........ Diarmuid O'Murchu - Being more adult in Living our Faith today
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Thu19Nov202010am-4pm
Whether you’re a Christian who already goes to a yoga class, have an interest in how yoga can support your faith, or would simply like to experience yoga within a Christian framework, this retreat is for you. Revd Ian Spencer is a qualified Hatha Yoga teacher and has taught both classes and offers individual (one to one) tuition. Ian will introduce Yoga as a practice that Christians can use to deeply connect with faith, working with body practice, breath, chant and meditation. Ian cross-references ideas and text from the Yoga Sutra with Biblical ideas and text to provide new insight and a different theme for each retreat day across the year.
The day is suitable for those who are exploring spirituality as well as those established in a faith tradition.
Cost includes refreshments and two course lunch.
Mats and other equipment can no longer be provided due to Covid restrictions - please bring your own mat on this occasion - many thanks.
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Fri27Nov2020Mon30Nov202012noon-2pm
A weekend retreat based on the teachings of Richard Rohr, more information to follow
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Wed02Dec20201:00 pm
"Thomas Merton's Legacy to Interfaith Dialogue"
Thomas Merton OCSO (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968) was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion.
Merton was deeply committed to Interfaith dialogue, corresponding with Monks and Religious Leaders all over the world. Indeed it was on such a trip to engage with the Buddhists of Thailand that he tragically died on December 10th 1968.
Revd Dr Bonnie Thurston is a New Testament scholar who held the William F. Orr Professorship in the New Testament at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1999 to 2002. She is the author or editor of twenty two theological books and six books of poetry, and wrote one of the first PhD dissertations on Merton.
Dr Thurston is a spiritual director and experienced retreat leader, and a founding member and past president of the International Thomas Merton Society.
Due to Covid, Bonnie's trip to the UK has been cancelled this year, however we're delighted to announce that she'll be offering Holland House an one-line day on the principles of Interfaith Dialogue as espoused by Thomas Merton. This is an exciting one-off opportunity for anyone interested either in Merton or Interfaith work. An expert in Merton, Dr Thurston will lead us in a day of both learning and discussion regarding how we also might go about the critical work of Interfaith dialogue in the 21st century.
Start time 1pm completion 5.00pm latest, to account for the time difference: Includes Bonnie's address, discussion time, Q&A,
To secure your place on this fabulous one-off event, click on this link https://www.hollandhouse.org/product/2496/
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Thu10Dec202010:00 am
“PRAYING DIFFERENTLY” is for folk looking for a richer experience of prayer.
Many of us find prayer either difficult, less than satisfying, or have grown bored with it.However the Christian faith has a very rich heritage of prayer, for example prayer ropes, icons, meditation, rosary, nature-based, chanting, scripture-based, and more. This one day retreat explores a variety of prayer practices, and can be booked by individuals with a maximum of 4 people at any one time (more by prior appointment). It's not necessary to come as a group. This allows for personal discussion time with the tutor in the afternoon.If your prayer life isn’t as rich as you’d like it, "praying differently" offers other ways and practices. See and experience prayer afresh, and regain your enthusiasm and commitment to the sacred and transforming practice of prayer.
Led by Revd Ian Spencer, Warden of Holland House.
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Fri29Oct2021Sun31Oct202112:00 pmHolland House
International Aramaic scholar Neil Douglas-Klotz returns to Holland House in 2020 to guide us through the Beatitudes following the path to "ripeness".
Breathing with Unity, Living with Blessing
Chant, Movement and Contemplative Prayer with the Aramaic Jesus
This year at Holland House, we will return to the heart-awareness of the present moment with a journey through the Beatitudes of Jesus in Aramaic. Through chant, simple circle movement and contemplative prayer, we will re-enter the state that Jesus calls tub, “blessedly ripe—at the right time and place” We will follow the journey of one of the most profound aspects of Jesus’ teaching, the Beatitudes in Matthew. This is a healing journey that takes us to deepest part of ourselves and then resurrects us in power and joy. Whether or not you have joined in these Aramaic retreats previously, this is a wonderful doorway into Jesus’ native spirituality and way of meditation.