Where Silence Meets Spirit: Encounters of the Heart
Hello Friends,
This week at Heart of Life, two beautiful events reminded us of the deep thirst people have for God’s presence in their everyday lives. On Wednesday, our annual Retreat in Daily Life began. Over six weeks, retreatants meet with their director once a week to reflect o themes that gently open the heart:
Kindness
Wonder and Awe in the Natural World
Vulnerability
Receiving
Compassion
This year’s retreatants are both in-person and online — with some joining us from as far away as Vietnam. Their commitment speaks to the hunger so many of us carry: to pause, to be silent, to be gentle with ourselves, and to contemplate what truly gives life.
For our Siloam Spiritual Direction students, this retreat is a milestone, marking the final stage of their formation as they accompany others in this sacred journey. To sit with another and listen for the movements of God’s Spirit is no small gift; it is an encounter where both are changed. As Teresa of Avila reminds us: “It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
The second event was a gathering of Spirituality Centres in Melbourne. We were blessed with voices from the Wellspring Centre, the Carmelites, the Josephites, a hermit from country Victoria, and Heart of Life. We began by sharing the struggles we face — including the practical concerns of finances — yet what stood out was the hope and energy that emerged when we spoke of the future.
There was a deep sense that contemplative listening, spirituality, and matters of the heart are not optional luxuries today, but essential callings. In a world often hurried and fractured, we felt God’s Spirit urging us to hold open spaces where people can discover silence, depth, and the mystery of Love.
Together, these two events remind us that God is at work in both the intimate and the communal. In the quiet one-on-one conversations of spiritual direction, and in the wider circle of those committed to nurturing spirituality in our city, the same Spirit breathes hope and courage. God’s love continues to weave us into a greater story — one where hearts are softened, communities are strengthened, and the world is gently renewed
To all those whose hearts are seeking more, please read on…
Peter Hendriks msc
Director
Upcoming Reflection Events
Walking the Land in Spring
🗓 Saturday 11 October | 10:00am–3:00pm | In-person at Williamstown Foreshore
Facilitated by Peter Hay
Join us for a day of reflection and creativity along the beautiful Williamstown foreshore. Guided by Peter Hay, this retreat invites you to immerse yourself in the natural harmony of land and sea, exploring how their balance can inspire your own spiritual journey.
Through storytelling, journaling, and creative engagement, you’ll be encouraged to pause, reconnect with nature, and discover fresh ways of nurturing both your inner life and your relationship with the world around you. Art materials are provided—just bring along your own lunch and a willingness to be surprised by what the sea and sky might reveal.
👉 Click below to learn more and register:
A Quiet Space Before Advent
🗓Saturday 22nd November | 10:00am–3:30pm | In-person at Heart of Life (Croydon)
Facilitated by Cathy Beaton & Gail Crisp
Step into a gentle space of stillness and reflection as we prepare for the season of Advent. Guided by Cathy Beaton and Gail Crisp, this retreat offers time to pause before the busyness of Christmas and enter more deeply into the themes of waiting, light, and hope.
Through silence, prayer, nature, and creative expression, participants are invited to reconnect with God and nurture an inner calm that fosters peace and readiness to receive Christ’s presence anew. Please bring your own lunch and join us for a day of spiritual grounding and renewal.
👉 Click below to learn more and register:
Are You Called to Accompany Others on Their Spiritual Journey?
Applications for the 2026 Siloam Program are now open.
Siloam is Australia’s longest-running and internationally respected program for the formation of spiritual directors — a journey of deep listening, prayer, and contemplative discernment.
If you’re discerning your path for next year, now’s the time to explore this life-giving ministry.
👉 To learn more or apply click below
Applications for the 2026 Damascus Spiritual Leaders Program are now open.
This one-year, part-time program is designed for those in leadership, formation, and pastoral ministries, including clergy, chaplains, teachers, spiritual health workers, and lay leaders.
Grounded in contemplative and experiential learning, the program fosters self-awareness, discernment, and spiritual growth. Participants explore areas such as emotional development, stages of faith, contemplative practice, and leadership influence.
Places are limited to ensure a reflective and personal learning environment.
👉 To learn more or apply click below
Applications for 2026 Emmaus Program for the Formation of Professional Supervisors now open.
The Emmaus Program is a unique, 12-month journey in the art of professional supervision. Designed for those with at least five years of ministry experience, the program equips participants to become confident, skilled, and reflective supervisors.
Offered as a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision – Emmaus (University of Divinity), the program blends theory with hands-on experience through in-person and online learning. It’s ideal for those supervising ministers, chaplains, spiritual directors, or pastoral workers.
Recognised by the Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS), the program includes intensives, group work, and a closing retreat — all within a supportive, contemplative learning environment.
📅 Begins February 2026 – Limited places available.
📄 Two-step application process – early submission encouraged.
👉 To learn more or apply click below
Ongoing, at Heart of Life…
Discover the Gift of Spiritual Direction
Are you longing to pause, reflect, and become more attentive to God’s presence in your life?
Spiritual Direction offers you sacred time and space to listen deeply — not just to your thoughts, but to the gentle movement of God within you. With the guidance of a compassionate, trained Spiritual Director, you’ll be supported in exploring your spiritual journey more openly and authentically.
At Heart of Life, we offer sessions with our fully qualified and experienced Spiritual Directors, who walk alongside individuals from all walks of life. You may also choose to meet with one of our Siloam students, who are Directors-in-training, and receive a free session as part of their supervised formation.
Whether you’re discerning a decision, navigating a challenging season, or simply seeking deeper connection with God — Spiritual Direction can help you find clarity, peace, and meaning.
🌿 Visit our website to learn more and make a booking
Supervision
Supervision is an essential requirement for anyone involved in pastoral ministry. Heart of Life endeavours to uphold the integrity of this ministry by offering Individual or Group Supervision, where pastoral journeys are shared, and skills and sensitivity increased through professional guidance.
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