On November 8, 2025, Elena Bertran presented “Coming Home to the Present,” a Zoom retreat featuring Centering Prayer, chanting (courtesy of Avril Bland), readings, an examination of conscience, guided meditations, and time for sharing and reflection. Thirty participants joined this morning of prayer, presence, and contemplative solidarity.
On September 13, 2025, Chris Hagen presented “Jesus’ Third Way: A Response to Cultural and Societal Discord.” A major focus of Jesus’ ministry was to resolve conflicts with mercy rather than retaliation — to “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Today, as we experience a dramatic increase in social, cultural, and societal conflicts, we often feel helpless to do anything that will help resolve them. It is hard for us to feel that turning the other cheek or loving our enemies are responses that will change anything. In this CONSD workshop and discussion, we explore the meaning of Jesus’ teaching “Love your enemies” and how it can be an effective response to conflicts.
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On November 2, 2024, Chris Hagen presented “Happiness: An Experience of Non-Dual Consciousness.” The Eastern concept of non-dual consciousness has long been associated with a state of enduring happiness–a state of being only achieved through inner transformation. This concept is now increasingly discussed among Western contemplatives, including practitioners of Centering Prayer. In this presentation, Chris Hagen explores this relationship within the context of Centering Prayer, focusing on the following five questions: What is happiness? What is non-dual consciousness? What is transformed? How is transformation achieved? What motivates the desire for transformation?
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On June 17, 2023, Chris Hagen presented “Seek and You Will Find: Experiencing a Closer Relationship with God.” Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, Thomas Keating, Richard Rohr, Ilia Delio, and others, Chris explores the transformational opportunities offered through relationship, persistent practice, and unconditional love as humans respond to God’s call to greater responsiveness and compassion. Questions? Contact Chris at hagenanton1@gmail.com.
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On April 23, 2022, Chris Hagen presented “Becoming the Whole Self: Beyond the False Self / True Self Dichotomy,” noting that “we are made of the biological image of our parents and the spiritual image of God. The whole self is the integration of these two aspects of our self into oneness.” This gradual integrative process is explored within the context of Fr. Keating’s teachings and Teilhard de Chardin’s wisdom statement, “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.”
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On November 13, 2021, servant-leader and prayer-group facilitator Elena Bertran led a timely morning of reflection and prayer, “Blessed Are They That Mourn.” A recording of the Zoom event can be viewed below, and a list of resources for the retreat is available at the following link: Elena-Bertran-Resources.pdf
Because Elena’s introductory remarks were not recorded, we include them here:
Elena-Bertran-Opening-Remarks.pdf
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On June 12, 2021, CONSD hosted “The Wisdom and Teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating: A Conversation with Chris Hagen,” with Deborah Lewallen serving as moderator. About 70 people gathered in a “virtual circle” via Zoom. We are happy that we can now share the recording of that presentation:
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From September 2017, here is a recording of Chris Hagen’s “Putting on the Mind of Christ: How Centering Prayer Changes the Brain” :