THE SPIRITUAL EYE OF THE HEART
Discovering Radical Love & Vision in The Gospel of Mary
THE ART OF LIVING
Boone, North Carolina | June 5th-7th 2026
Join bestselling author and feminist theologian Meggan Watterson for a powerful weekend of connecting to what The Gospel of Mary refers to as “the treasure,” or “the spiritual eye of the heart.”
This “spiritual eye” exists within us and allows us to know what’s true and real for us. It’s an inner guide and source of vision whenever we feel lost.
This three-day retreat will invite you to learn about the hidden scripture from antiquity not included in the traditional canon of the New Testament, like The Gospel of Mary and The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Scripture that contains a spiritual vision that’s possible for each of us to acquire. Then you’ll also put that wisdom into practice through The Soul-Voice Meditation, a form of focusing inward, and returning to the heart.
Through lecture, meditation, and lively discussions, shaped by Watterson’s unique blend of theological depth and embodied spirituality, you’ll learn as much about your true self as you will about the true spiritual teachings of Mary Magdalane.
The invitation here is to find a love that has existed within you all along, and to learn a practice that helps you return to it, again and again, for sustenance and guidance, from here on out.
WHAT WE’LL REVEAL
The teachings in Mary’s gospel are powerfully made for these times. We’ll reveal together the secret teachings Christ gave to her, and we’ll practice a form of meditation that her gospel refers to as an inner spiritual vision, that allows us to know what’s real, and true for us.
We’ll reveal the history of the earliest form of Christianity, contextualizing the gospel of Mary Magdalene within the 1st century, and we’ll piece back together the bits the bible left out in excluding other sacred texts like the gospel of Philip, and the gospel of Thomas.
And all throughout the weekend, we’ll be practicing the soul-voice meditation so that we’ll not just acquire academic knowledge about Mary Magdalene but also, we’ll begin to integrate her teachings personally, from a direct experience with the form of love Mary knew by heart.
This is an opportunity to reassess and realign, to make certain that the choices we make from here on out are coming straight from the heart, from the soul of who we are.
YOUR FACILITATOR
This retreat will be led by author and feminist theologian Meggan Watterson.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday 4:00PM-7:00PM Check In
7:30PM-9:00PM Workshop
Saturday 10:00AM-12:00PM Workshop
2:00PM- 5:00PM Workshop
Sunday 10:00AM-12:00PM Workshop
1:00PM Check Out
PREPARATION
No meditation experience is needed, and there’s no required reading.
IF you are inspired and hungry to take in more before arriving, here are some options:
THE GOSPEL OF MARY OF MAGDALA by Karen L. King
BEYOND BELIEF: THE SECRET GOSPEL OF THOMAS by Elaine Pagels
THE GOSPEL OF PHILIP: JESUS, MARY MAGDALENE, AND THE GNOSIS OF SACRED UNION by Jean-Yves Leloup
THE MEANING OF MARY MAGDALENE by Cynthia Bourgeault
MARY MAGADALENE REVEALED by Meggan Watterson
For questions about what we’ll cover during the retreat, please email Meggan’s team at questions@megganwatterson.com.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
You can contact The Art of Living directly with logistical questions about enrollment and your visit, as they are handling all administration of the retreat.
