Westward ho, as GladdeningLight took the opportunity to showcase three featured speakers from a different part of our country.  On November 10-13, 2024, we welcomed 144 guests from 24 states to the California coast’s lovely environs under blissfully sunny skies.  Our event site, the Cabrillo Pavilion in the City of Santa Barbara, overlooked a wide expanse of beach and the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean.

James Finley, a contemplative and former student of Thomas Merton, spoke on walking the quiet path exercising care to observe life’s mysteries in the present.  Bestselling author of Ordinary Mysticism, Mirabai Starr, invited us to adopt the ideal of the mystical into our workaday lives.  And two-time Oscar winning composer and performing artist Gustavo Santaolalla spun a web of musical themes as a perfect complement.

In These Holy Mysteries

Exploring the Gentle Art of Contemplative Living

Join James Finley and Mirabai Starr who will draw upon the teachings of the Christian and non-Christian mystical traditions to offer practical guidelines in the gentle art of contemplative living.  Together, learn from God how to deepen our experiences — to understand and respond to God’s presence in each passing moment of our lives.  And how, with God’s grace, our hearts may be opened to radiate a healing presence, yearning to help others. Attention will be given to practical guidelines in the fidelity of meditation and prayer as God becomes more habitually present in the details of our daily lives.

As GladdeningLight is always about the meeting point of art and faith, the contemplative tone of the retreat will be enriched by two-time Academy award-winning composer and Lifetime Latin Grammy recipient Gustavo Santaolalla who will convey the power of music in deepening our awareness of the divine.  Time will be given for periods of silent prayer and meditation in community with others, writing exercises, and mutual sharing.

Upon arrival, the logistics of this westward symposium could not be more convenient.  The two reasonably-priced host hotels, Mar Monte by Hyatt (via this reservation link) and the Santa Barbara Inn (via phone contact at 805-966-2285 for discounted reservations, mention Gladdening Light) are directly across the street from the Cabrillo Pavilion, a magnificent California structure with picture windows overlooking the beach and vastness of the Pacific.  There will be no need for a car at this three-day event, lunch will be provided on two of our days together, and an opening reception for reacquaintance will welcome us into the Gladdening Light.

Schedule of Events

Sunday, November 10, 2024

5:00 – 7:00 pm – Reception with refreshments & heavy hors d’oeuvres overlooking the Pacific at the Mar Monte Hotel
Invocation from Mirabai Starr

Monday, November 11, 2024

8:30 am – Coffee in the Cabrillo Pavilion
9:00 am – Opening session with Mirabai Starr
11:30 am – Box lunch for all
1:00 pm – Book signings
1:30 pm – Afternoon session with Gustavo Santaolalla & James Finley
7:00 pm – Evening bookstore at Cabrillo
7:30 pm – Evening session with James Finley & Mirabai Starr moderated by Community of Divine Love’s Sister Greta Ronningen

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

8:30 am – Coffee in the Cabrillo Pavilion
9:00 am – Morning session with James Finley
11:30 am – Box lunch for all
1:00 pm – Book signings
1:30 pm – Afternoon session with Mirabai Starr
7:00 pm – Evening bookstore at Cabrillo
7:30 pm – Evening session with Gustavo Santaolalla & Mirabai Starr

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

8:30 am – Coffee in the Cabrillo Pavilion
9:00 am – Closing session with James Finley

Don’t miss GladdeningLight’s return to the full symposium experience you know and love.  Click here for more information and registration.  Just two hundred attendees will be accommodated, so don’t be left out!  Note: symposium registration is fully refundable until October 12, 2024, non-refundable after that time.

Where Art and Spirit Meet