Pagan retreats.

A special feature on Retreats and Renewals in The Catholic Register, April 1, 2007, contains advertisements for Retreats and Training Programs on Cosmic Love (Sisters of Providence on St. Vincent de Paul, Kingston); Ontario: Reclaiming Inner Potential (Loretto Maryholme,--Roach's Point, ON); Mandala Exploration, (Mercy Centre, Inc., Colorado Springs); Centering Prayer, (Providence Renewal Centre, Edmonton, AB); Enchanted Garden Retreat, (Salt Spring Island, B.C., inter-religious, including Catholic). These retreats and training programs are based on one or more of the following pagan beliefs, Hinduism: Yoga, Tantric Love, Chi Kung, Taoism, and Pantheism.

* Cosmic Love (Tantra) is defined as the "use of universal energy for pleasure, worldly goals and spiritual evolution." It uses astrology, numerology, and Feng shui.

* 'Reclaiming Inner Potential involves the use of yoga for "self-healing, and self-development of the spiritual and psychic sciences."

* Centering Prayer involves the use of a repeated mantra to attain "union with God."

* A Mandala is a symbol of the universe, dwelling place of God. A Mandala is used to acquaint a person with Tantra.

* The Enchanted Garden Retreat uses yogic breathing, Tao Yoga, meditation, Chi Kung, Taoist sexual practices.

* A Mandala is also used to "connect you with the universe."

Comment;

It is difficult to understand how the Catholic Register can imagine that it is fulfilling its apostolic mandate by publishing these advertisements. On April 22 it published an advertisement for a retreat called "Cosmology of Fulfillment," to be held July 19-22 at the Sophia Summer Institute, California. Many of the speakers at this retreat support the pantheism of Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin. One speaker promotes the healing power of shamanic practices, particularly that of singing and chanting. Is it any wonder that some Catholics now say "We are the universe becoming aware of itself." (J.S.)