The Retreat House at Hillsboro

Book Circle - Wild Mercy, by Mirabai Starr
2025-10-29 15:00 - 2025-11-05 15:30, 2025-11-05 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-05 15:00 - 2025-11-12 16:30, 2025-11-12 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-12 15:00 - 2025-11-19 16:30 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Wild Mercy
Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics
by Mirabai Starr
A Zoom Book Circle
September 10 – November 19
and December 3 – 17
Wednesdays, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST

Join us for this online book circle, where we will explore and ponder the many gifts of the women mystics throughout both time and culture. We will read Wild Mercy slowly over many weeks, allowing for generous conversation and wondering. Wild Mercy is essential reading for anyone ready to learn more, to awaken the feminine mystic within, and birth her loving and creative essence into the world. The author’s voice has been known to be both humorous and down-to-earth. As part of our journey with the author, we will delve into the at-home spiritual practice of reflective journaling. To prepare us, for those who are drawn to this practice, we will be guided and inspired by Lisa Groen, friend of The Retreat House, contemplative writer, and author of soon to be released The Cassatt Sisters: a Novel of Love and Art.
Register HERE.

We will read one chapter a week, and come to the first gathering having read the book’s introduction. A Zoom link will be sent.
The book can be purchased by means of Amazon, The Retreat House Bookshop, or your favorite book seller:
RETREAT HOUSE BOOKSHOP:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/wild-mercy-living-the-fierce-and-tender-wisdom-of-the-women-mystics-mirabai-starr/16648245?aid=19040&ean=9781683641568&listref=community-favorites
AMAZON:
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Mercy-Living-Fierce-Mystics/dp/1683641566/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ar-ajtFMhcwfbw6el0GFklw2j4gfnhM-G9hZ99xmeoYggHKa2xZoxo_Vx5fHq9Xh7UhrvxJ4tiGijBSU0-n_Iadu37Il8CjS4nrIuYKrwcm8cuBo0MEiVMhpngxRhZAbBz-fSh486rArZRxseFdO6RhuymJB2Dw6TMsdF_nWfRg.OClcDxUOiYBKOlwC4GfFsGnws8pRFGZ977xKjKcmWNQ&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693905370856&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9051691&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=12696072715795967962–&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12696072715795967962&hvtargid=kwd-754024912921&hydadcr=8264_13544396&keywords=mirabai+starr+wild+mercy&mcid=611b907d2315335eab08c2f5bf6385fa&qid=1752877932&sr=8-1

More about reflective journaling: Journaling as a spiritual practice can be akin to prayer, and a grounding way at home to deepen self-awareness and welcome clarity of the heart. Lisa Groen will inspire and guide us in this at-home practice, a practice unique to each of us and encouraged in Wild Mercy. She is author of The Mother’s Book of Well-Being: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Baby and the soon to be released, The Cassatt Sisters: A Novel of Love and Art.
More about Wild Mercy: We live in a world that has suffered from an unbalanced masculine rule for thousands of years—but the feminine is rising. “Seeds of feminine wisdom that have been quietly germinating underground are now breaking through the surface,” writes Mirabai Starr. “Women everywhere are rising to the collective call to step up and repair our broken Earth. And we are activating a paradigm shift such as the world has never seen.”

With Wild Mercy, Mirabai shares the subversive wisdom and fierce compassion of the feminine mystic across cultural boundaries and throughout history. From saints and sages, to goddesses and archetypal energies, to contemporary teachers and seekers—you’ll meet women who blazed a path that will illuminate your own.

Each chapter explores a different facet of feminine mysticism through a tapestry of teachings, reflections, and stories, along with a practice for integrating the chapter’s themes into your own life. As you journey through these pages, you’ll explore:

Taking refuge in contemplative practice with St. Teresa of Avila and the Shekinah
Longing, embodiment, and union as the heart of feminine spiritual practice with the Hindu poet Mirabai and Mary Magdalene
Your relationship with the Earth, motherhood in all its forms, and a loving call to action alongside Gaia and Ix Chel
Community and the web of life with Indra, the Beguines, and female prophets throughout history
Wild, playful, and compassionate mercy with Tara and Kuan Yin
Finding joy in creativity and the arts with Saraswati and Chiyo-ni
More inspiration from archetypal goddesses and amazing women past and present—Julian of Norwich, the Sufi saint Rabia, Pachamama, Sophia, Old Spider Woman, Hildegard of Bingen, Demeter, Kali, and more.

Wild Mercy provides a much-needed alternative to the models of religion and spirituality that have dominated history, an alternative suited for both men and for women. Here, Mirabai invites you to welcome the wisdom of women back into the collective field where it may transform the human family, heal the ravaged Earth, and awaken the divine love in our hearts.

Wisdom Café
2025-11-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM
We will take a break on Labor Day, September 1st. See you on Monday, September 8th!
Wisdom Café

All are welcome to join in this Retreat House gathering – the Wisdom Café, held each Monday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST on Zoom.

We usually begin with an inspirational reading, enjoy a bit of quiet time. Then we take turns sharing what bubbles up and listen to each other’s reflections. It’s an hour of friendly companionship–no commitment, no charge.

Come and go as you please!

If you would like to receive an email reminder on Monday mornings (which will include the zoom link) please sign up here.

Otherwise please add the date to your calendar for the Wisdom Café on Mondays at 12 Noon.
Here’s the Zoom link.

Mary Magdalene and the Mystics
2025-11-03 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-10 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-17 15:00 - 16:30 | ZOOM
Mary Magdalene and the Mystics
Mondays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET on Zoom
September 22, 2025 – May 4 2026
or, for a shorter session
September 22 – November 17, 2025

Gather with us as we explore the life of Mary Magdalene through the lens of Cynthia Bourgeault and several women mystics devoted to Mary. Whether this is your first time learning about the journey of Mary Magdalene, or you are continuing on from previous circles, we will explore new learnings and invitations. What is there to learn about the life of Mary Magdalene? Why did certain mystics resonate with Mary Magdalene and how is that expressed in their spiritual life and writing? Is there more to learn from the mystics about Mary Magdalene and ourselves?
Our central reading throughout the weeks will be The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity, by Cynthia Bourgeault, modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, and writer. In addition, select readings by these and other mystics who were deeply influenced by Mary Magdalene will be considered and shared by email: Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Catherine of Siena. Like other contemplative book circles, we will read our book and the select readings slowly with ample time together for wondering out loud, experiencing the invitations offered, and listening to one another.
September 22 – November 17, including holiday breaks — 9 session – $90 (This is a good selection if you are only able to sign up for a portion of the circle. Simply let us know if you change your mind and we can adjust your registration!)
September 2025 – May 4 2026, including holiday breaks — 27 sessions – $250
Please register (HERE).
Find the book at your favorite bookseller or support us by purchasing it at The Retreat House Bookshop:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-meaning-of-mary-magdalene-discovering-the-woman-at-the-heart-of-christianity-cynthia-bourgeault/9663152?aid=19040&ean=9781590304952&listref=mystics-and-mysticism
Find the book at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Mary-Magdalene-Discovering-Christianity/dp/1590304950/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ywfry9qcHT78hCf6LlUPoTIJax2eH5RJVCsxvsr2Q3e1QiIX5sPtD1HXg0TIXI7tAT5-N78WqkJzzX3-cUvKHSHtSttDc1rQr8wlcfRrN-cW9EGwfBmmLriQsbE3bacjccbYU_Tk5wyaxO0TU04sE4YYXF6AXM15lkABnB-M617dhoivFKBHKk8eS0BJMvFKwVqsa3WNLvbwz1DVyQ_G6Kwyuyu-ZaaEYFLtovi79Pg.7ZwQqmKw92OFZDOHIyE_ooXmNQPAiWjcgkk4tsKvMcM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=713526083658&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9051691&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=9322657857537107084–&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9322657857537107084&hvtargid=kwd-323962432274&hydadcr=22569_13730725&keywords=the+meaning+of+mary+magdalene&mcid=f34d849e64173bec8549399800f1873f&qid=1755705064&sr=8-1

Day's End Meditation
2025-11-03 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-04 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-05 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-06 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-07 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-10 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-11 17:15 - 17:45, 2025-11-12 17:15 - 17:45 and 3 more dates | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Wherever you are, listen, breathe, and be still.

Move peacefully into your evening each evening.
Weekdays 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. EST

Feel free to log in to hear a beautiful prayer or poem followed by just the right amount of quiet meditation time.
Come a few minutes early and say hello.

“It has been a way to honor the shift in the demands of the day,
breathing in God’s Love,
breathing out gratitude for the Divine Mystery…”
Join online: https://zoom.us/j/212677840
Password: [REDACTED]
Call in/Audio only: +1 301 715 8592

Gospel of Thomas - the mystical sayings of Jesus
2025-11-04 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-11 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-11-18 15:00 - 16:30 | ZOOM
Gospel of Thomas

Tuesdays
September 9 – November 18 and December 2 – 16

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
On Zoom

Gather together as we explore and listen to the Gospel of Thomas. Each week we will prayerfully listen to one of Jesus’ sayings from this ancient source and take time to reflect upon what rises for each of us.

We ask for a suggested donation of $85. All of our programs are supported by donations. Whether you pay less, or more to support another, we are grateful. Please never let finances keep you from gathering. A Zoom link will be emailed before the start this circle.
Please register HERE.

More about The Gospel of Thomas:
The Gospel of Thomas is one of the 52 texts discovered at Nag Hamadi in 1945 and represents some of the earliest Christian teachings. Many of the Nag Hamadi codices were initially classified as Gnostic, a category that placed them outside of mainstream Christian thinking.
It is highly likely that The Gospel of Thomas was written before the four New Testament gospels. Stevan L. Davies, Ph.D. is an influential author of 18 scholarly books and Professor of Religious Studies. He argues that the apparent independence of the ordering of sayings in Thomas from that of their parallels in the first three Gospels shows that Thomas was not evidently reliant upon the canonical gospels and probably predated them.
The Gospel of Thomas is very different in tone and structure from the four canonical Gospels. Unlike the Gospels in our Bibles, it is not a narrative account of the life of Jesus; instead, it consists of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus.
Scholars regard the Gospel of Thomas as one of the most important texts in understanding early Christianity outside the New Testament. A central theme of the Gospel of Thomas is that salvation comes through a mystical understanding and experience of the words of Jesus rather than through doctrines to believe in or sacraments to do.

Lament and Hope - a six-week gathering online
2025-11-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:00 | ZOOM
Register for this free offering here: https://building-communities-lament-hope.eventbrite.com/

Prayer Gathering for Resilience in Community
2025-11-10 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM
Please join us
Monday, November 10
for a
PRAYER GATHERING FOR RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITY
with
short readings and poetry
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon EST on Zoom

With our world in such a time of change, we invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer. We will gather on Zoom for a time of community and silent meditation. Join us to be together, holding our hearts open to the Great Love of the Divine and listening deeply in the quiet for the guidance, encouragement and love that we can all lean into as we start walking the long road into the unknown. We invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer.
Come when you can, leave when you must.
We will be together from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon EST.
The gift of your presence in the circle
will mean so much to all who gather.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235 Passcode: [REDACTED]
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