Ken Wilber Class through Evening at Emory
Registration is now open for the class I’ll be teaching on the philosophy and spirituality of Ken Wilber, through Emory University’s Center for Lifelong Learning here in Atlanta, starting on Thursday, July 21. To register, click here.
Here’s the write-up on the class, from the Evening at Emory website:
A Brief History of Everything: An Introduction to Ken Wilber
American philosopher Ken Wilber’s writings combine eastern and western spirituality, psychology, biology, cultural theory, and other strands of contemporary thought to create what the author calls “integral psychology.” Wilber bridges science and religion, explains the dynamics of human consciousness and moral development, and speculates on future evolution of our species. Despite the complexity of his thought, many of Wilber’s books are surprisingly accessible, including the textbook for this class A Brief History of Everything. In this class we’ll read the book, discuss its merits, and consider how Wilber’s ideas can impact the scientific and spiritual communities. Textbook (not included in tuition): A Brief History of Everything.
5 session(s): Thu: Jul 21-Aug 18 / 7:00-9:00 pm
Registration fee: $150 CEUs: 1
Why do Catholics become Protestant?
Why are so many Catholics becoming mainline Protestant or Evangelical? (Image via Wikipedia)
National Catholic Reporter has just posted a fascinating article looking at research by the Pew Research Center on why people leave the Catholic Church. This particular article focuses on those who leave Catholicism to enter a mainline Protestant or Evangelical Church. The research suggests that the common reasons believed by those who are ideologically liberal — or conservative — are not all that important. What is important? A sense of being spiritually nurtured.
Read the article: The Hidden Exodus: Catholics Becoming Protestant
“Of Gods and Men” DVD available for pre-order!
If Of Gods and Men, the luminous French movie about the monks killed during the civil war in Algeria, has not come to your city, or if you missed it, or if — like me — you consider this to be a “must own” film, then your wait is almost over. The North American release date for the DVD has been set for July 5. If you want to make sure you have it when it’s released, you can now pre-order the DVD from Amazon.com.
Not sure what the fuss is about? Watch the trailer or read my review. It’s a beautiful film, and even people who are totally unfamiliar with the contemplative life are saying so. It’s a must.
Christian Mysticism Weekend at Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur, GA, April 15-16, 2011
If you live in or near Decatur Georgia (metro Atlanta), I hope you’ll come to the Christian Mysticism Weekend at Oakhurst Baptist Church on April 15 and 16. Here’s the write-up about the event that appears on Oakhurst’s website:
What is Christian Mysticism?
"Mystical Forest" by Angel of the Morning
“Mysticism” is one of those words that confuses some people, alarms others, and intrigues still others. But what is it? Is there such a thing as Christian mysticism? Is it in the Bible? Can it be relevant to us today? How does Christian mysticism relate to the spirituality of other religions, such as Sufism or Kabbalah or Zen?
On Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, 2011, Oakhurst Baptist Church is offering a retreat with local author Carl McColman that will address these and other questions.
On Friday evening, Carl will explore what mysticism is (and isn’t), where it comes from, and why it matters to ordinary Christians.
On Saturday, Carl will introduce an ancient practice called Lectio Divina (Latin for “Sacred Reading”), which combines a prayerful approach to reading the Bible with meditation and contemplation. Different from (and complementary to) traditional Bible study, this spiritual practice fosters intimacy with God through seeking his presence in the Word, opening our minds and hearts to him, but then resting in profound silence as a response to Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is a simple, safe, and prayerful spiritual practice that anyone can incorporate into their daily devotion.
The retreat will be held at Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. No out-of-town travel is involved, and there is no overnight stay. The retreat sessions are Friday, April 15, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 16, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A light homemade lunch will be served on Saturday.
Anyone of any religious background is welcome. Dress comfortably and bring a Bible and a notebook or journal.
Suggested donation for the retreat is $35. All money will be received at the Friday evening session.
To register for the retreat, or for more information, please e-mail retreat@oakhurstbaptist.org.
For directions to Oakhurst Baptist Church, click the Where We Meet link.
About Carl McColman
Carl McColman is the author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality and The Lion, the Mouse and the Dawn Treader: Spiritual Lessons from C. S. Lewis’s Narnia. He blogs about Christian spirituality and mysticism at the “Website of Unknowing” (www.anamchara.com <http://www.anamchara.com>). His writing has also appeared at the Huffington Post, Beliefnet, Patheos, and various print publications.
Carl received training in Christian meditation and contemplation at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, and in the art of spiritual direction through the Institute for Pastoral Studies in Atlanta. In 2007 he became a lay associate of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia, where he continues his spiritual practice under the guidance of the Trappist monks.
Carl attended college at James Madison University and George Mason University, where he received a Master of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing. He is married to Fran and is the stepfather to her daughter. Carl is a not-too-strict vegan (he cheats with honey and eggs) and keeps saying that one of these days he is going to learn to play the guitar.
Quote for the Day
And here I must say a few words concerning certain things which some reckon as virtues, although they are nothing of the sort—I mean ecstasies, trances, rhapsodies, deific unions, extraordinary transformations, and the like, which are dwelt on in some books, and which promise to raise the soul to a purely intellectual contemplation, an altogether supernatural mental altitude, and a life of pre-eminent excellence. But I would have you see, my child, that these perfections are not virtues, they are rather rewards which God gives to virtues, or perhaps, more correctly speaking, tokens of the joys of everlasting life, occasionally granted to persons in order to kindle in them a desire for the fulness of joy which is only to be found in Paradise. But we must not aspire to such graces, which are in nowise necessary to us in order to love and serve God, our only lawful ambition. Indeed, for the most part, these graces are not to be acquired by labour or industry, and that because they are rather passions than actions, which we may receive, but cannot create.
— St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life
A Book for All Time
I’ve posted the text of the talk I gave in February at the “Awakening in God’s Love” conference to my website. This conference was sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta’s Institute for Ministry and Theological Education. It was a celebration of the life and work of Anglican writer and contemplative Evelyn Underhill, marking the centennial of the publication of her book Mysticism: The Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness.
In the morning at the conference, scholar Dana Greene provided an overview of Underhill’s biography and major works. My talk, presented in the afternoon, was more of an appreciation of how Underhill’s writing remains relevant 70 years after she died. If you’d like to read the talk, just follow this link:
A Book for All Time: Why Underhill’s Mysticism Still Matters
April 2 Quiet Day Postponed
We need to postpone the quiet day at Cedar Hill that was originally scheduled for April 2. As soon as the director of Cedar Hill and I have a date lined up, I’ll post it here. In the meantime, sorry for the inconvenience!
If you’d like to see me sooner than the fall, I’ll be at the Spirituality Conference at First Christian Church of Atlanta April 8-10, and at Oakhurst Baptist Church April 15-16. Perhaps I’ll see you there.
