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The Still Point of the Turning World: Finding Rest Amidst Suffering

Yoga, Philosophy & Meditation Retreat
Rebecca Stephens

Leader

Rebecca Stephens

Dr Rebecca Stephens is a scholar and a teacher in her daily life. Chair of The Eckhart Society, Rebecca is a regular speaker at the Society's annual conference, co-organises and presents Eckhartian One Day Events in York and Cambridge, and is an Associate Editor of the journal, Medieval Mystical Theology.

Date

10 - 15 Jun, 2025

Location

Bonnevaux Retreat Centre
86370 Marçay, France

How can Meister Eckhart help us in life’s ‘Why Me?’ moments? We will explore the principles of Eckhart’s theological and philosophical outlook in daily lectures and group discussions, personal reflection and journaling. 

Meister Eckhart forms the foundation of Ursula Fleming’s pioneering work in pain relief based on a doctrine of acceptance and self-grounding. Through focus on breath and letting-go it enabled even those experiencing insupportable pain to reduce their suffering. The Fleming Method has much in common with restorative practices such as Yin Yoga and we will work through simple floor-based exercises suitable for all bodies and levels of experience (with chair-based variations for those unable to lie) in daily guided sessions.

Above all, we will seek to find stillness – to hold space at ‘the centre of the tornado’ – a place of peace amongst the world’s turmoil by immersing ourselves in the daily rhythm of meditation.

As we learn to let go of each moment and accept each new moment in all its objective reality, we will find ourselves able to change our reaction to seemingly intractable circumstances, and surrender into the (literal and metaphorical) ground.

Rebecca Stephens

This event takes place at Bonnevaux and offers an opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical French and European heritage of the 12th-century Abbaye de Bonnevaux, as well as to explore the varied and natural beauty of the land which we cultivate as a model of ecological responsibility.

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
Rebecca Stephens

Leader

Rebecca Stephens

Dr Rebecca Stephens is a scholar and a teacher in her daily life. Chair of The Eckhart Society, Rebecca is a regular speaker at the Society's annual conference, co-organises and presents Eckhartian One Day Events in York and Cambridge, and is an Associate Editor of the journal, Medieval Mystical Theology.

  • Schedule

The still point of the turning world:
finding rest amidst suffering

ArrivalTuesday 10 June 2025, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30
DepartureSunday 15 June 2025, after lunch (14h00)
  • Contribution (per person)
Single room with ensuite bathroom€950
Single room with shared bathroom€800
Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom€600                              

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 Frauke Riether from Pixabay 

Rebecca Stephens

Leader

Rebecca Stephens

Dr Rebecca Stephens is a scholar and a teacher in her daily life. Chair of The Eckhart Society, Rebecca is a regular speaker at the Society's annual conference, co-organises and presents Eckhartian One Day Events in York and Cambridge, and is an Associate Editor of the journal, Medieval Mystical Theology.

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