Robert Micha'el Esformes

"Investigating Spiritual Practices / Cultivating Spiritual Lives"

April 26, 2009
Miriam's Well: Saugerties, NY
Seminar fee: $ 54
Details on price, food and lodging

Investigating Spiritual Practices / Cultivating Spiritual Lives:

Dear friends,

I'd like to bring to your attention an upcoming retreat day program that marks a milestone in my work.

The material I am offering is the culmination of many years of study and practice of the mystic's path. It is supported by an ongoing critical investigation of how to understand that practice and how to context it in a full and integrated life. Surely this is a difficult, grand and worthy task—and one we can explore together with patience and grace. I hope you will join me in this day of meditation, reflection, conversation, critique, learning and visioning.

My desire is that this gathering will provide, among other things, an opportunity

• to gather in community with other seekers of eclectic and philosophic bent;
• to discuss our practices, their fruits and difficulties;
• to consider critically how that practice is integrated (or not) into the fullness of our lives;
• to examine tacit assumptions about what constitutes a "spiritual" life;
• to disassemble some no-longer-useful concepts about our inner work;
• to examine broadly some basic models of development;
• to explore various themes foundational to a spiritual practice.

I see this gathering as an experimental sub-station for the spiritual work being done globally. Seasoned practitioners will, I trust, find worthy grist for the mill. Beginners will find, I hope, some useful orientation in the midst of much rhetorical confusion on what constitutes sound spiritual practice.

This is, of course, an ambitious program for a single Sunday, but I trust we can, at the least, examine a few interesting facets of the interior life and open up a few new neural pathways. These themes have engaged me for a long time, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my exploration in the good company of friends and fellow travelers. I am hoping that this gathering will open out into an ongoing study and practice circle, perhaps monthly, on the lovely grounds and by the life-giving waters of Miriam's Well.

For more information about the workshop content, contact Micha'el at rmesformes@gmail.com or (845) 657-9873.

To register, and for more information about Miriam's Well, contact Susan Rosen, director, susan@miriamswell.org or (845) 246-3664.

About Robert Micha'el Esformes:

Susan Rosen writes: "I've known Robert Micha'el Esformes for over ten years. In fact, he was the very first presenter at Miriam's Well in 2000. He is a holy man who has walked the Mysical path most of his life. He is knowledgable about many spiritual practices and subjects, but what is especially wonderful about him is how he truly walks his talk. His quiet speaking voice and his beautiful singing voice inspire and induct people into a "Divine walk" that can be taken each day. I hope you will join us at Miriam's Well for this sacred day."

Esformes is a student of the interior life with nearly forty years of investigation of meditative and contemplative practices. He is particularly interested in how inner practices can be part of a full life that includes worthy work in the world, caring community, creativity and the love of beauty, and critical consideration of both the inner and outer worlds. Some might call this the philosopher's work, fulfilling the mystical path through deep reflection on the truths hidden in the everyday realities of each generation.

Micha'el is an ordained cantor, a certified spiritual director, and a masters level teacher of philosophy for children. He travels widely, offering programs in mysticism, music, voice, and philosophy, performing in concert, leading worship services and meditation retreats, engaging in interfaith dialogue and serving as spiritual director.

He lives, mostly peaceably, in Ashokan, NY.