Upcoming Women’s Retreat

by | Feb 10, 2026 | Events

Listening in the Spirit — Discernment in a Changing World

Feb. 20–22 | Friday evening through Sunday midday

Mercy Center, Auburn, CA Led by Rev. Amy Denney Zuniga for the women of St. John’s, Roseville & Grace, St. Helena

Registration and cost details pending– email Rev. Amy & let know if you are interested!  revamy@grace-episcopal.org

Have you ever faced a decision—big or small—and felt pulled in different directions within your

own heart and mind? What if those “inner tug-of-wars” contain wisdom waiting to be heard?

In this retreat we will explore the “Four Voices,” a contemplative Christian approach to

discernment inspired by Episcopal priest and mystic Cynthia Bourgeault—a practice she

developed through her own prayer life and has taught in retreats, writings, and online courses.

What We’ll Do *Learn the Four Voices of Discernment—ways our inner life speaks to us when we slow down and listen.  *Watch short clips of Cynthia teaching, including examples from her own life that make the method concrete and deeply human. *Practice spiritual tools she recommends—embodied prayer, journaling, and contemplative listening—that help quiet the mind and reveal deeper guidance. *Have quiet time on our own—to listen deeply and put the tools we are learning into practice. *Explore Christian discernment both as a method for decision-making and as a lifelong pattern of seeking God’s direction.

The Four Voices You’ll Meet

In this framework we learn to notice and respectfully listen to four distinct voices within us as

identified by Cynthia Borgeault:

1. Nafs – the lower, emotional and reactive self (the ego).

2. Soul – the deeper longing of our authentic self.

3. Spirit – the voice of our highest aspirations, connected to God.

4. Heart – the harmonizing voice that connects the others and brings wise clarity.

Each voice has information to offer, and through self-compassionate prayer and contemplative

practices we learn to hear them with curiosity rather than conflict and discern a direction that is

both life-giving and sustainable.