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The Marriage of Wisdom and Prophesy

Each tradition has its unique blend between the prophetic and the wisdom.
Br. Martin

Leader

Br. Martin

Born in 1955 in South India to a Hindu mother and a Catholic father, John Martin Kuvarapu's education was interspersed with periods of work to support his family. Responding to an inner call to dedicate his life to God, he entered the seminary in Bangalore. Shortly before his ordination, after reading an article by Father Bede Griffiths, he asked to meet this spiritual master of the Shantivanam ashram, founded by Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux. He stayed at the ashram and took his monastic vows there (Camaldolese Benedictine). He took the name Sahajananda. He was later sent to complete his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome. Rich in two cultures, he deepened his knowledge of Hindu spirituality. He analysed the points of convergence between the two traditions and saw how the spirituality of the Upanishads enriched and enlightened the message of Christ. This message, stripped of its institutional dross, regains its original strength and clarity. For several decades he has been spreading his teachings in Europe and North America, through his conferences, articles and books. He is particularly attached to France, which gave India the Fathers Monchanin and Le Saux.

Date

19 - 24 Nov, 2024

Location

Bonnevaux Retreat Centre
86370 Marçay, France

Religion can be divided into two categories: the wisdom traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, and the prophetic traditions, such as Jewish, Christianity, Islam and Bahaism. However, each tradition has its unique blend between the prophetic and the wisdom. Br Martin, the spiritual successor of Bede Griffiths, will explore these interactions in the light of the contemporary hunger for wisdom and meaning:

“It seems to me that the future of spiritual evolutions is the marriage of these two traditions.
The fruit of this marriage would bring unity and peace to the world in new ways.”
John Martin Sahajananda

The retreat will be held also in French. Go to the French event page here.

"I want to present in this retreat that, Jesus Christ is the marriage of the Wisdom and the Prophetical, Traditions. And he is the bridge and also a peacemaker."
Br Martin

This retreat is both for the beginning and ongoing meditators. There will be four periods of meditation a day to accommodate your level of practice. Mornings will be in silence through breakfast and lunch, with the afternoon opening to times of rest and solitude and a convivial dinner where you can get to know your neighbour.

Bonnevaux is near Poitiers, France, southwest of Paris. It is 20-minute ride from Poitiers Airport and train station. The journey by train to Poitiers is about 90 min from Paris (Montparnasse).

By road

5 hour drive from Paris along the A10. Parking is available at Bonnevaux. Get directions here

By air

Fly into Poitiers Airport, served by low-cost airlines. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the Abbaye. To the Poitiers Biard Airport website 

Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.

Fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.

By train

1.5h by TGV from Paris to Poitiers station which is about 20 minutes drive from Bonnevaux. To the Gare de Poitiers Train Station website

  • Speakers
Br. Martin

Leader

Br. Martin

Born in 1955 in South India to a Hindu mother and a Catholic father, John Martin Kuvarapu's education was interspersed with periods of work to support his family. Responding to an inner call to dedicate his life to God, he entered the seminary in Bangalore. Shortly before his ordination, after reading an article by Father Bede Griffiths, he asked to meet this spiritual master of the Shantivanam ashram, founded by Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux. He stayed at the ashram and took his monastic vows there (Camaldolese Benedictine). He took the name Sahajananda. He was later sent to complete his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome. Rich in two cultures, he deepened his knowledge of Hindu spirituality. He analysed the points of convergence between the two traditions and saw how the spirituality of the Upanishads enriched and enlightened the message of Christ. This message, stripped of its institutional dross, regains its original strength and clarity. For several decades he has been spreading his teachings in Europe and North America, through his conferences, articles and books. He is particularly attached to France, which gave India the Fathers Monchanin and Le Saux.

  • Schedule

The Marriage of Wisdom and Prophesy

ArrivalTuesday 19 November 2024, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30
DepartureSunday 24 November 2024, after lunch (14h00)
  • Contribution
Single room€700
Single room with shared bathroom€600
Shared twin room€550                             

The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. Therefore if you’re able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please, click here to donate.
If you need a concession please let us know. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. Please, click the email address  <contact@bonnevauxabp.com> to contact us.

  • Dietary Information

At Bonnevaux, we aim for healthy, well-rounded, and nutritious meals. Please indicate your meal preference (non-vegetarian, vegetarian) below within the registration process.

* Unfortunately, we cannot cater to specific intolerances and allergies — we do not have the team or facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
* We are committed to balancing protein, carbohydrates, fats and fiber from organic meat, plant-based proteins, vegetables, un-processed carbs, grains, legumes and fruit.
Gluten and Lactose intolerance: we cannot create individually tailored meals. Should the main course at lunch contain your intolerance, you can always choose from the vegetables on offer and rice (plus non-gluten bread). The salad and soup bar in the evening will offer you a variety to balance out and complement what you have eaten for breakfast and lunch.
* Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: contact@bonnevauxabp.com.

  • Registration

Cancellation

— Please ensure you have travel insurance in place as we cannot refund cancelled travel for any reason.
— If you cancel your Bonnevaux booking up to 30 days before the event starts, you will be refunded the full cost of the event.  Cancellations occurring within 30 days of the event start will be offered a voucher for a future event. Bonnevaux reserves the right to cancel events at any point – cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the event start date will be subject to the voucher refund policy only.

Membership Fee ** – 10€

Membership fee is paid once per year, valid from Jan – Dec.

** by French law you must be a ‘member‘ of the charity (association ABP) Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre Pour la Paix in order to participate at an on-the-ground event at Bonnevaux – 86370 Marçay, France.

Membership is non-binding. It simply means that you are invited to attend the annual general meeting if you wish and that you may receive information about our events during the year.

The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP).  The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.

The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP).  The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.

Address : Bonnevaux, 86370 Marçay, France.
Phone number : 06 33 43 71 71 / 06 61 96 57 74.
José Pype (President of the Association); Krzysztof Albinski (Executive Director)
Site hosting: Flywheel

Image by lov2scraplaura from Pixabay
Br. Martin

Leader

Br. Martin

Born in 1955 in South India to a Hindu mother and a Catholic father, John Martin Kuvarapu's education was interspersed with periods of work to support his family. Responding to an inner call to dedicate his life to God, he entered the seminary in Bangalore. Shortly before his ordination, after reading an article by Father Bede Griffiths, he asked to meet this spiritual master of the Shantivanam ashram, founded by Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux. He stayed at the ashram and took his monastic vows there (Camaldolese Benedictine). He took the name Sahajananda. He was later sent to complete his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome. Rich in two cultures, he deepened his knowledge of Hindu spirituality. He analysed the points of convergence between the two traditions and saw how the spirituality of the Upanishads enriched and enlightened the message of Christ. This message, stripped of its institutional dross, regains its original strength and clarity. For several decades he has been spreading his teachings in Europe and North America, through his conferences, articles and books. He is particularly attached to France, which gave India the Fathers Monchanin and Le Saux.

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