Meditating and Relating: You, Me, Us, and Our Parts
“…a long, loving look at the real…”
~ Father William McNamara
What This Retreat Offers
Drawing from fifty years of experience as a psychotherapist, meditator, and meditation teacher, retreat leader Gordon Peerman will guide participants through the intersecting wisdom of two landmark books — Richard C. Schwartz's No Bad Parts and Terrence Real's Us — exploring how the practice of meditation can deepen both our relationship with ourselves and with those we love. No prior experience in psychotherapy or meditation is required — only a willingness to take, in the words of Father William McNamara, "a long, loving look at the real." The weekend also includes Qigong mindful movement led by Ryan Black and devotional kirtan chanting led by Kenneth Robinson.
About the Presenters
Gordon Peerman is an Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and mindfulness meditation teacher. He is the author of “Blessed Relief: What Christians Can Learn from Buddhists about Suffering,” and his most recent book, “The Body Knows the Way: Coming Home through the Dark Night.” He leads retreats and workshops at the intersection of contemplative practice and psychological growth. With his late wife Kathy Woods, he led interspiritual gatherings through One River Wisdom School and taught mindfulness practices at Vanderbilt’s Osher Center for Integrative Health. At Vanderbilt Divinity School, he taught courses in Buddhist-Christian Dialogue and Pastoral Theology. He leads meditation retreats at St. Mary’s Sewanee.
Retreat Leadership
Gordon Peerman is an Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and mindfulness meditation teacher, and the author of Blessed Relief: What Christians Can Learn from Buddhists about Suffering and The Body Knows the Way: Coming Home through the Dark Night. He has taught Buddhist-Christian Dialogue and Pastoral Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School and led mindfulness programs at Vanderbilt's Osher Center for Integrative Health. He leads regular meditation retreats at St. Mary's Sewanee.
Ryan Black leads Qigong mindful movement, and Kenneth Robinson leads devotional chanting of kirtan, together creating a rich, embodied retreat experience.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is especially suited for:
Those curious about meditation or mindfulness practice
Anyone exploring the connection between psychology and contemplative life
People navigating relationships and seeking deeper self-understanding
Clergy, therapists, and spiritual directors longing for renewal
Beginners and experienced practitioners alike — all are welcome
Financial Assistance
St. Mary's Sewanee is committed to making our retreats accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance. For scholarship inquiries, contact Reservations@stmaryssewanee.org | 931-598-5342
Registration
After 72 hours of registration, a $100 cancellation fee applies. There are no refunds within 7 days of the program arrival date.
*A minimum registration is required for retreats to take place. If the program does not meet the minimum registration within 2 weeks of the event, there is the possibility of cancellation. If SMS cancels a retreat for any reason, any registered guest will receive a full refund of all payments
Lodging in Anna House (motel style room, private bathroom), meals, program fees and materials included
Lodging dorm style, private rooms, shared bathrooms, meals, program fees included
Meals, program fees and materials