The Restory Retreat Centre

  What The Mystics Know 4) The Mystical Journey Is A Journey Of Paradoxes “Those who find their life will lose it,  and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” ‭‭Matteus‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭NRSV       ‬‬ “All who exalt themselves will be humbled,  and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” ‭‭Matthew23‬:‭12‬ ‭NRSV     ‬‬ “Therefore I am content  with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities  for the sake of Christ;  for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV               ‬‬ The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music "Bittersweet music is the sound of the soul stretching toward the light, even in the darkest moments." Susan Cain                                "Bittersweet" is in itself a paradox. As always, with our love. George & Matilda

  Wat Die Mistici Weet 4) Die Mistieke Pad Is 'n Pad van Paradokse “Wie sy lewe behou, sal dit verloor, en wie sy lewe ter wille van My verloor, sal dit behou.” ‭‭Matteus‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭AFR20‬‬ “Wie homself verhef, sal verneder word, en wie homself verneder, sal verhef word.” ‭‭Matteus‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬ ‭AFR20‬‬ “Ter wille van Christus verheug ek my in swakhede, beledigings, ontberings, vervolgings en benoudhede; want wanneer ek swak is, juis dan is ek sterk.” ‭‭2 Korinthiërs‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭AFR20‬‬ Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek "Bittersweet music is the sound of the soul stretching toward the light, even in the darkest moments." Susan Cain                                "Bittersoet" is op sigself 'n paradoks. Soos altyd, met ons liefde. George & Matilda

Wakkerstroom Classical Music Festival 2025 20 - 23 March 2025 “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;  he suspends the earth over nothing.  He wraps up the waters in his clouds,  yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.  He covers the face of the full moon,  spreading his clouds over it.  He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters  for a boundary between light and darkness.  The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke.  By his power he churned up the sea;  by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.  By his breath the skies became fair;  his hand pierced the gliding serpent.  And these are but the outer fringe of his works;  how faint the whisper we hear of him!  Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” ‭‭Job ‭26‬:‭7‬-‭‭14‬ ‭NIV                              It is that time of year again! Autumn is...

Wakkerstroom Klassieke Musiekfees 2025 20 - 23 Maart 2025 “God sprei die hemel uit oor die leë ruimte,  Hy laat die aarde hang waar niks is nie.  Hy versamel die water in die wolke, en hulle skeur nie onder die las nie.  Hy plaas die horison op die see,  'n grens tussen lig en donker.  Dit is maar die begin van sy dade,  ons hoor net die gefluister van sy woorde.  Maar die volle krag van sy dade, wie kan dit verstaan?” ‭‭Job ‭26‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭10‬, ‭14‬ ‭AFR83‬‬                           Dit is weer daardie tyd van die jaar! Herfs is oral sigbaar en voelbaar en daar is die geur van kreatiwiteit en voorbereidings in die lug wanneer jy ons klein dorpie binnekom. Hierdie naweek bied ons ons jaarlikse Wakkerstroom Klassieke Musiekfees aan. Wonderlike, talentvolle musikante van oral, tegniese spanne en die mense wat hulle optredes sal bywoon, stroom na Wakkerstroom. Musiek is nie die enigste item ...

What The Mystics Know  3.1) Great love opens us up and makes us vulnerable The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music Maybe we haven't discovered that fire yet. But may we let sparks fly everywhere.  Met ons liefde. George & Matilda

Wat Die Mistici Weet  3.1) Groot liefde maak ons oop en weerloos Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Dalk het ons nog nie daardie vuur ontdek nie. Maar mag ons oral vonkies laat uitslaan. Met ons liefde. George & Matilda

What The Mystics Know 3) Suffering brings growth and wisdom Detail from: "The Last Day of  Pompeii" by Karl Bryullov (1830-1833) The Conversation Elements From The Conversation ~ ❖ ~ “Suddenly, the sacred fire I have been chasing all my life engulfed me. I was plunged into the abyss, instantaneously dropped into the vast stillness and pulsing silence at which all my favorite mystics hint. So shattered I could not see my own hand in front of my face, I was suspended in the invisible arms of a Love I had only dreamed of. Immolated, I found myself resting in fire. Drowning, I surrendered, and discovered I could breathe under water. So this was the state of profound suchness I had been searching for during all those years of contemplative practice. This was the holy longing the saints had been talking about in poems that had broken my heart again and again. This was the sacred emptiness that put that small smile on the face of the great sages. And I hated it. I didn’t want vastne...

Wat Die Mistici Weet 3) Lyding bring groei en wysheid Detail in: "The Last Day of  Pompeii" deur Karl Bryullov (1830-1833) Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek ~ ❖ ~ “Suddenly, the sacred fire I have been chasing all my life engulfed me. I was plunged into the abyss, instantaneously dropped into the vast stillness and pulsing silence at which all my favorite mystics hint. So shattered I could not see my own hand in front of my face, I was suspended in the invisible arms of a Love I had only dreamed of. Immolated, I found myself resting in fire. Drowning, I surrendered, and discovered I could breathe under water. So this was the state of profound suchness I had been searching for during all those years of contemplative practice. This was the holy longing the saints had been talking about in poems that had broken my heart again and again. This was the sacred emptiness that put that small smile on the face of the great sages. And I hated it. I didn’t want vastness of being. I wa...

What The Mystics Know 2.1) Not perfect = Totally lawless? “So what do we do?  Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving?  I should hope not!" ‭‭Romans ‭6‬:‭1‬-2 MSG                   ‬‬ "There is no room in love for fear.  Well-formed love banishes fear.  Since fear is crippling, a fearful life - fear of death, fear of judgment - is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love - love and be loved.  First we were loved, now we love.  He loved us first.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭MSG                ‬‬ The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music In the song  The House Of The Rising Sun someone tells of his not-so-perfect life. Many of the traditional "sins" are there: a brothel, gambling, drinking, run-ins with the law. The basic message or theme revolves around regret, ruin and the consequences of a life gone astray. Where someone has actu...