3-Day Retreat: Fire and Silence - December 11th - 13th, 2025 - Milcreek Canyon, Salt Lake
December 11th-13th, 2025 • Milcreek Canyon • Salt Lake City, UT
In the rich heritage of Christian contemplation, St. John of the Cross and St.Teresa of Avila offer luminous maps of the soul’s journey—through the Dark Night and into the Interior Castle—guiding us to wholeness and intimacy with the Source of Life. Both poets and reformers, their teaching invites us to enter the soul’s crucible: to be purified and ultimately to abide in the flame of divine union.
How do we embody their teachings today? When we long for transformation—but confront our wounding, isolation, the noise of the modern world—where can we find the strength to stay the difficult course? The surprising answer might be: friendship.
St. Teresa and St. John were not merely contemporaries, but had a soulful friendship that ignited a contemplative renewal that still burns brightly today. Though different in temperament and aesthetic, they recognized in each other a common fire: the call to radical union with the Divine.
Through shared silence, story and collective practice, we will set out to practice the art of holy friendship, to walk together in the darkness, and to live from a flame that purifies and unites.
Join us for this immersive retreat, where we’ll enter the path of fire and silence, guided by the contemplative wisdom of St. Teresa and St. John. The retreat will include:
Guided meditation sessions to deepen our interior silence
Open-sharing circles on suffering, transformation, and spiritual friendship
Lectio divina (contemplative reading) and meditative journaling drawn from wisdom texts
Communal meal time every day at noon
Time in nature to be renewed and inspired
This retreat is for you if:
You love the dark, or want to learn to love it more.
You’re drawn to both contemplation and community, and seek to integrate them
You are looking for mentoring and instruction in your meditation/contemplative practice
You long for spiritual companionship
You are navigating a dark night or inner transition and seek the support of community
You wish to live your own calling more courageously—with the support of others who are responding to their unique call.
You want to connect with others who are wrestling with darkness and divine longing
You want to cultivate concrete tools for ongoing daily intimacy with the Source of Life through contemplative prayer.
Daily Rhythm (Thursday-Saturday):
Morning session: 9 AM–Noon
90‑minute lunch/rest break
Afternoon session: 1:30–4:00 PM
30-minute rest
Silent practice: 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition: $650
Scholarships
If you would like to attend this retreat but lack the resources, please email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org to be considered. In your email tell us about your financial situation and why you would like to attend.
Lodging
There is no lodging for this retreat. There are many wonderful airbnbs and hotels in the area.
Cancellation Policy:
No refunds will be available within 90 days of the retreat. Prior to 90 days, a 90% refund will be provided with the exception of an administrative fee (10% of payment). To cancel, contact info@lowerlightswisdom.org
Facilitator:Thomas McConkie has been practicing in Buddhist meditation and Christian contemplation for over 25 years. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in transformative practice and envisions a renaissance in consciousness on the Wasatch Front.
Space is limited for this retreat. Please confirm your spot as soon as possible.
Questions? email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org
December 11th-13th, 2025 • Milcreek Canyon • Salt Lake City, UT
In the rich heritage of Christian contemplation, St. John of the Cross and St.Teresa of Avila offer luminous maps of the soul’s journey—through the Dark Night and into the Interior Castle—guiding us to wholeness and intimacy with the Source of Life. Both poets and reformers, their teaching invites us to enter the soul’s crucible: to be purified and ultimately to abide in the flame of divine union.
How do we embody their teachings today? When we long for transformation—but confront our wounding, isolation, the noise of the modern world—where can we find the strength to stay the difficult course? The surprising answer might be: friendship.
St. Teresa and St. John were not merely contemporaries, but had a soulful friendship that ignited a contemplative renewal that still burns brightly today. Though different in temperament and aesthetic, they recognized in each other a common fire: the call to radical union with the Divine.
Through shared silence, story and collective practice, we will set out to practice the art of holy friendship, to walk together in the darkness, and to live from a flame that purifies and unites.
Join us for this immersive retreat, where we’ll enter the path of fire and silence, guided by the contemplative wisdom of St. Teresa and St. John. The retreat will include:
Guided meditation sessions to deepen our interior silence
Open-sharing circles on suffering, transformation, and spiritual friendship
Lectio divina (contemplative reading) and meditative journaling drawn from wisdom texts
Communal meal time every day at noon
Time in nature to be renewed and inspired
This retreat is for you if:
You love the dark, or want to learn to love it more.
You’re drawn to both contemplation and community, and seek to integrate them
You are looking for mentoring and instruction in your meditation/contemplative practice
You long for spiritual companionship
You are navigating a dark night or inner transition and seek the support of community
You wish to live your own calling more courageously—with the support of others who are responding to their unique call.
You want to connect with others who are wrestling with darkness and divine longing
You want to cultivate concrete tools for ongoing daily intimacy with the Source of Life through contemplative prayer.
Daily Rhythm (Thursday-Saturday):
Morning session: 9 AM–Noon
90‑minute lunch/rest break
Afternoon session: 1:30–4:00 PM
30-minute rest
Silent practice: 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition: $650
Scholarships
If you would like to attend this retreat but lack the resources, please email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org to be considered. In your email tell us about your financial situation and why you would like to attend.
Lodging
There is no lodging for this retreat. There are many wonderful airbnbs and hotels in the area.
Cancellation Policy:
No refunds will be available within 90 days of the retreat. Prior to 90 days, a 90% refund will be provided with the exception of an administrative fee (10% of payment). To cancel, contact info@lowerlightswisdom.org
Facilitator:Thomas McConkie has been practicing in Buddhist meditation and Christian contemplation for over 25 years. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in transformative practice and envisions a renaissance in consciousness on the Wasatch Front.
Space is limited for this retreat. Please confirm your spot as soon as possible.
Questions? email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org
December 11th-13th, 2025 • Milcreek Canyon • Salt Lake City, UT
In the rich heritage of Christian contemplation, St. John of the Cross and St.Teresa of Avila offer luminous maps of the soul’s journey—through the Dark Night and into the Interior Castle—guiding us to wholeness and intimacy with the Source of Life. Both poets and reformers, their teaching invites us to enter the soul’s crucible: to be purified and ultimately to abide in the flame of divine union.
How do we embody their teachings today? When we long for transformation—but confront our wounding, isolation, the noise of the modern world—where can we find the strength to stay the difficult course? The surprising answer might be: friendship.
St. Teresa and St. John were not merely contemporaries, but had a soulful friendship that ignited a contemplative renewal that still burns brightly today. Though different in temperament and aesthetic, they recognized in each other a common fire: the call to radical union with the Divine.
Through shared silence, story and collective practice, we will set out to practice the art of holy friendship, to walk together in the darkness, and to live from a flame that purifies and unites.
Join us for this immersive retreat, where we’ll enter the path of fire and silence, guided by the contemplative wisdom of St. Teresa and St. John. The retreat will include:
Guided meditation sessions to deepen our interior silence
Open-sharing circles on suffering, transformation, and spiritual friendship
Lectio divina (contemplative reading) and meditative journaling drawn from wisdom texts
Communal meal time every day at noon
Time in nature to be renewed and inspired
This retreat is for you if:
You love the dark, or want to learn to love it more.
You’re drawn to both contemplation and community, and seek to integrate them
You are looking for mentoring and instruction in your meditation/contemplative practice
You long for spiritual companionship
You are navigating a dark night or inner transition and seek the support of community
You wish to live your own calling more courageously—with the support of others who are responding to their unique call.
You want to connect with others who are wrestling with darkness and divine longing
You want to cultivate concrete tools for ongoing daily intimacy with the Source of Life through contemplative prayer.
Daily Rhythm (Thursday-Saturday):
Morning session: 9 AM–Noon
90‑minute lunch/rest break
Afternoon session: 1:30–4:00 PM
30-minute rest
Silent practice: 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition: $650
Scholarships
If you would like to attend this retreat but lack the resources, please email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org to be considered. In your email tell us about your financial situation and why you would like to attend.
Lodging
There is no lodging for this retreat. There are many wonderful airbnbs and hotels in the area.
Cancellation Policy:
No refunds will be available within 90 days of the retreat. Prior to 90 days, a 90% refund will be provided with the exception of an administrative fee (10% of payment). To cancel, contact info@lowerlightswisdom.org
Facilitator:Thomas McConkie has been practicing in Buddhist meditation and Christian contemplation for over 25 years. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in transformative practice and envisions a renaissance in consciousness on the Wasatch Front.
Space is limited for this retreat. Please confirm your spot as soon as possible.
Questions? email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org