Pray and Paddle with the wisdom of John Muir

Program Details

On Lake Cochichewick, we share in Lectio Divina, an ancient practice of listening to a piece of sacred wisdom three times. Each reading includes a question to ponder, followed by an extended time of paddling in silence.

On this paddle, we will be accompanied by the wisdom of environmental prophet and mystic, John Muir (1838–1914). Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and an advocate for national parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, and the Grand Canyon, was influenced by the Celtic tradition of his native Scotland. He calls us to connect with the Creator as we learn from and seek to be wise stewards of the natural world.

Muir said, “Into the wild I go to lose my mind and find my soul.”

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About the Leaders

Kent Harrop

Kent Harrop is an avid outdoorsman and an ordained American Baptist minister. He was introduced to contemplative paddling on a Zen meditation kayak trip to the Tongass Wilderness in Alaska in 2002. Since then, Kent has enjoyed guiding both novice and experienced kayakers and canoeists in the practice of "listening on the water."

A favorite verse of his is:

"Listen, and your soul will live." — Isaiah 55:3

Kent is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, the Shalem Institute for Contemplative Leadership, and the Franciscan Spiritual Direction Program. For 40 years, he pastored congregations. Currently, he leads Pray and Paddle events for Rolling Ridge, coordinates North Shore: SING (Spirituality in Nature Group), and serves as a Spiritual Director.

Kent can be reached at kentdharrop@gmail.com