Contemplative Leadership Retreat
Bethany Spring Retreat Center
November 7-9, 2010

Contemplative leadership brings together worldviews, perspectives and experiences that initially seem incompatible. It invites us to let go of dualistic thinking about being either contemplative OR active and to engage the tensions created by living contemplatively in the midst of active daily life and leadership.  Successful leadership requires a willingness to develop an inner life and awareness capable of meeting the complexity of today’s world.

Leadership is a process of influencing the direction, actions, and opinions of others to achieve the purposes of a group or organization.  Self knowledge is the leader’s most important leadership asset. Becoming deeply conscious of who we are and what influences our leadership requires a special effort and discipline.   
    
Contemplative leadership is a way of leading that evolves from living in right relationships with self, others, nature and God.  These relationships are the source and focus of a leader’s awareness, influence and vision. They guide a leader’s ethical behavior, create trust, and provide the deeper meaning and purpose for achieving a group or organization’s mission.  Contemplative leadership seeks to realize human potential and improve the human condition.

The Contemplative Leadership Retreat is for leaders from all sectors of society. The retreat begins at on Sunday, November 7 at 3:00 pm and concludes on Tuesday November 9 at 1:30:pm. Registration fee of $595 includes lodging, meals and retreat materials.  Registration is limited to 8 people. For more information contact rtoth@mertoninstitute.org  

 

About the Presenters:

Robert Toth is the past Executive Director and current Director of Special Initiatives of the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living. The Institute works to create greater awareness of contemplative living and to support all who are striving to live a more contemplative life in the secular world. He is the co-editor of Bridges to Contemplative Living, a series designed for small group dialogue. He received his A.B in Classics and M.A. in Education degrees from John Carroll University. He taught English in secondary schools for six years and worked in healthcare administration for twenty-two years before joining the Merton Institute in 1998.

Janet Drey brings experience as a program director, facilitator, consultant, and executive leader. For over 25 years she has created learning environments where critical reflection, dialogue, and transformation can occur for persons, groups, and organizations. Her interest in leadership and spirituality began as a search for more effective leadership practice in ministerial settings and grew four years ago to exploring contemplative spirituality as a component of leadership development in professional settings. She holds a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a certified coach for Spiritual Intelligence. Janet lives in Des Moines, IA with her family.