In chaos theory the tipping point is described as the time when all the familiar structures and systems no longer work. At that point we are invited to either breakdown or breakthrough. This program invites you to explore the world views that are operative today. Drawing on integral theory, the various stages of consciousness will be explored. We will see how each stage perceives reality differently and how this contributes to the polarities we experience in the political and ecclesial arenas today. Realizing that we need to address these growing divisions if we are to survive as a planetary community, we will ponder whether what is necessary is really impossible. Drawing on our faith tradition, we will explore the power of contemplation to transform our consciousness and help us imagine other ways of being and doing. The week will be a blend of prayer, presentations, small and large group processes - all of which are rooted in communal contemplation. 

Resource Person: Nancy Sylvester, IHM, MA, Nancy completed her three-year term as President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in 2001 and served as vice president of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, MI from 1994-2000. She served on staff of NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby, from 1977-1992, first as researcher, then as lobbyist and beginning in 1982 as National Coordinator and board member. Prior to NETWORK, Nancy taught secondary education in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area. Nancy is an author and well known speaker having addressed diocesan and international conferences, university institutes and assemblies of women religious. She has lectured widely on a number of topics including: contemplation, the transformation of consciousness, societal shifts in the world and church; leadership for transformation and the new universe story.  Nancy has served as advisor on the United States Bishops’ International Policy Committee, National Board of Mary’s Pence; the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice where she was a founding member; the National Board of the Africa Faith and Justice Network; the National Governing Board of Common Cause and the Board of Trustees of Marygrove College, Detroit, MI. 

Nancy did her undergraduate work at St. Louis University majoring in philosophy and political science and received her graduate degree, from St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN, in human development with a concentration in economics and theology. 

Nancy founded the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue in 2002 in response to her experiences working for justice and right relationships in church and in society.  She serves as President of the Institute and as Executive Director of its major project. Nancy believes that the impasse being experienced currently in the work of transformation of church and society requires a contemplative response. 

Recommended readings:

 Bourgeault, Cynthia.  Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Lanham, MD: Cowley Publications. 2004. 

The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice.  Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications, Inc. 2016.

Friedman, Thomas.  Thank You for Being Late.  New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2016.

Sylvester, Nancy ,IHM. “Finding Our Balance in the Political Landscape”.  www.iccdinstitute.org

Wilber, Ken.   Books and resources on his web site or on the Integral life website https://integrallife.com/three-principles-integral-thinking/

Integral Theory.  A good summary of integral theory and the main concepts of Ken Wilbur’s work.  http://www.dialogue4health.org/resource-library/detail/an-overview-of-integral-theory-an-all-inclusive-framework-for-the-21st-cent