Walking on Water Conference workshops give time, space for feeding a richer inner life
For many of her readers, Madeleine’s exploration of the inner life both fed their understanding of different traditions and prompted deeper self-reflection. It’s why when some of us read her work, we’re often underlining long passages, nodding, yes, I feel that, too. We’re creating space for more of those yes, I feel that, too moments at the first Madeleine L’Engle-Walking on Water Conference. Workshops on Saturday talk about contemplation, meditation, and “feeding the lake,” and you’re welcome to participate:
Meditation on Contemplation: Madeleine L’Engle and Buddhism in Conversation
This workshop will cover the distinction between meditation in the Buddhist sense and Christian contemplation. Madeleine’s devotion to Christianity was so confident as to allow the influences of many different spiritual traditions into her thinking, including that of Buddhism, which she referenced many times, notably in Walking on Water.
In this morning workshop, psychoanalyst-in-training Edward Jones will talk about meditation and contemplation, as well as how they intersect and where they might differ, with an eye toward reconciling any perceived tension between them. Some time will be devoted to exploring Buddhist meditation techniques including some actual practice together, and putting Buddhist philosophy into a 21st century context. Jones is in training at the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies. He’s energized by the intersection of yoga philosophy, Buddhism, and psychology and seeks to draw from these three deep and potent sources for the benefit of his students and clients. He is also Madeleine L’Engle’s grandson.
“Feeding the Lake: A Journaling Workshop”
After lunch that day, author Sophfronia Scott will provide insights and prompts for the regular habit of journaling, which Madeleine herself practiced. (Madeleine’s advice to unpublished writers was to write anyway because all of it helps “feed the lake,” to quote Jean Rhys). Scott, author of the novel Unforgivable Love, has also published a spiritual memoir, This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, co-written with her son Tain; and an essay collection, Love’s Long Line.
“Walking on Water: The Gallery Tour”
Later Saturday afternoon, artist Albert Pedulla will lead participants on a tour of a L’Engle installation, which is a collaboration between All Angels’ Church and CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts), featuring a number of artists and works inspired by Madeleine. The tour features a number of artists and works inspired by Madeleine. Pedulla is an artist, and occasional writer, and curator. He designed and built Madeleine’s bedroom furniture and writing desk that she used for many years. He also served on the Board of Directors of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) for 16 years.
** Last call! **
Registration prices increase after Sept. 15 from $169 to $199, so reserve your spot today! Registration for the Friday retreat is $79, and can be completed here, too.
The Walking on Water Conference is Saturday, Nov. 16, at All Angels’ Church, 251 W. 80th St., NY, NY, with a smaller pre-conference retreat on Friday, Nov. 15. Headline speaker for the conference will be acclaimed children’s author Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins), with award-winning singer-songwriter Audrey Assad as Musician-in-Residence (Evergreen).
Watch here for more info about the conference — we’re getting SO excited!
Tesser well,
~Erin F. Wasinger, for MadeleineLEngle.com.
