Living Well

Living Well is concerned with connections between spirituality, mental and physical health, relationship to others, and the challenges of how to live well.

A series of guided discussions will include an interview, conversation, talk or workshop panel, based on a book or other resource, to set the scene for an open discussion with participants about the issues raised.

A web resource will be gradually developed with links to other resources, reviews, workshop recordings, perhaps an online discussion forum.

A list of sessions is provided on this page.

This is currently a Zoom meeting. If you are interested in taking part please email francis@witneyparish.org.uk. A group of about 10 people will be assembled to enable adequate participation. (A Zoom link will be sent to the participants shortly before each session.)
(The introductory part may be recorded, and made available on these pages, for those not available at the above times. The private discussion that follows will not be recorded in order that participants may speak freely.

Immortal Diamond

Following four interesting discussions inspired by Richard Rohr's book "Falling Upwards" (see below), a new group starting September will go on to look at the same author's "Immortal Diamond". You don't need to have taken part in the previous sessions to join this one. It's recommended, although not required, that participants read the book before the sessions.

In "Immortal Diamond", Rohr, a Franciscan friar, talks about the transformational search for the True Self, buried deep within us, which needs to be unearthed and separated from the debris of ego that surrounds it.

The first session of this new topic is on 22nd September, 4.30-5.30pm.

If you are interested in taking part please email francis@witneyparish.org.uk. 

Falling Upwards

Francis Rumsey discusses Richard Rohr's book Falling Upwards: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life with Mark and Keri Thomas. This will be followed by open discussion with participants about the issues raised.

This discussion topic has finished, after four interesting sessions.

Click to hear a recording of the public part of the discussion on 27th April: Falling Upwards 1

Click to hear a recording of the public part of the discussion on 26th May: Falling Upwards 2

Here are two quotes contained in the preface of a book in which Richard Rohr "offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth." —
"The greatest and most important problems of life are fundamentally unsolvable. They can never be solved, but only outgrown." Carl Jung.
"First there is the fall, and then we recover from the fall. Both are the mercy of God!" Julian of Norwich.

It's recommended, although not required, that participants read the book before the sessions.