Welcome to the first episode of the series of talks given by Mary Dwyer at the Contemplative Outreach South Africa National Conference in 2024. In this opening session, Mary Dwyer introduces the conference theme 'Participating in the Divine Flow'.

Mary shares her personal journey with Centering Prayer and contemplative practices, emphasizing the transformative power of saying 'yes' to the divine invitation. She touches on key themes to be explored in the coming days, including the human condition, Welcoming Prayer, and the Forgiveness Practice.

Mary highlights the importance of silence, not as the absence of noise, but as an inner disposition. She encourages participants to engage fully in the practices, reminding them that divine union is our birthright. This introductory session sets the stage for a deep dive into contemplative practices and their integration into daily life.