Resting In The Presence | Contemplative Prayer For Beginners - by Nicholas Fournie

COURSE

Resting In The Presence | Contemplative Prayer For Beginners

With Nicholas Fournie

This three-day course offers a gentle introduction to contemplative prayer, a form of Christian spiritual practice rooted in stillness, simplicity, and presence. Each session blends a short teaching with guided silence to help you cultivate a deeper relationship with God through quiet attention. You will learn how to rest in God without striving, how to return to the present moment with compassion when your mind wanders, and how to carry a divine presence into daily life. By the end of the course, you will have a simple and accessible framework for contemplative prayer that you can continue to develop and grow in over time. Whether you are new to prayer or returning after a long pause, this course is a space to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the sacred in and around you.


Meet your Teacher

Nicho Fournie is a contemplative teacher and spiritual coach with a Master of Theological Studies from the University of Toronto. His academic work focused on meditative and mystical practices within the Christian tradition, exploring how silence, prayer, and presence have shaped the Western spiritual imagination. Nicho is trained in Zen Buddhism and facilitates Centring Prayer circles that create space for stillness, depth, and spiritual encounter. He is involved in contemplative organizations that support the renewal of ancient practices for today's world. Alongside group work, Nicho offers one-on-one coaching, helping individuals pursue practical goals and life direction rooted in a contemplative approach to living. His approach honours both inner transformation and outer clarity, grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with deep presence.

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3 Days

152 students

4.8 stars

15 min / day

Divine Connection

English


Lesson 1

Resting In The Presence Of God

This lesson introduces contemplative prayer as a form of spiritual stillness rooted in a relationship with God. You will learn how this practice differs from meditation by focusing on presence and receptivity rather than control. Through teaching and guided silence, you will begin to rest in the loving gaze of the Divine.

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Lesson 2

The Art Of Returning To God

This lesson explores how distraction is a natural part of contemplative prayer and how the invitation is always to return with gentleness. You will learn how to use a sacred word as a symbol of intention, and how each return becomes an act of trust and devotion in your relationship with God.

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Lesson 3

Carrying The Stillness Into The World

This final lesson invites you to extend your contemplative awareness beyond formal prayer. Beginning in silence, the practice opens into a gentle attention to your surroundings. You will learn how to perceive God’s presence in the ordinary and allow the stillness within to shape how you see and live in the world.

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4.8 (25)

Recent Reviews

Tom

October 30, 2025

Just such a beautiful course. The combination of cristian principles and mindfulness was wonderful. Thank you so much.

KatieG

July 17, 2025

While I don’t engage in contemplative practices on a regular basis, I am very drawn to this kind of prayer. The course was lovely, and really resonated with me. I would only ask for even a deeper dive and more to come! Thank you. 🙏🏼

Vee

June 29, 2025

I’ve tried centring prayer before but found these guided sessions much more accessible and easier to stay focused. I enjoyed the idea of ‘returning’. Thank you

Maria

June 28, 2025

Thank you

Nancy

June 25, 2025

I loved finding and practicing with my sacred word.

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