Living School

Dear contemplative friends,

This post comes to alert you to an extraordinary learning opportunity, which I hope you will find as exciting as I do. Richard Rohr, James Finley, and I are teaming up as core faculty for what Richard is calling his “Living School”, a two-year program of cognitive learning and spiritual formation in the best of the Christian mystical tradition. The program will feature a combination of onsite and distance learning. Over the two-year course of study there will be an annual 4-day symposium (three altogether) in a resort facility near Albuquerque, a week-long residential study with Richard at the Rohr Institute in Albuquerque (organized in groups of 25 to provide for more intimate interaction with faculty and with fellow students), and user-friendly computer distance learning modules. The three core faculty will be joined by quite a stellar galaxy of invited master teachers.

Cynthia and Richard Rohr

The program aims to be (in the words of the promotional brochure), “an underground seminary…creating three-dimensional twenty-first century people in the best that Christianity has to offer.” The emphasis will be on Christianity’s innate nondual Wisdom teachings and practices, taught in an atmosphere of inclusivity and deep respect for all spiritual traditions.

There is quite a heritage of spiritual Wisdom in the core faculty itself. Richard is a worthy descendent of his spiritual father St. Francis, upholding the Franciscan tradition of radical surrender and compassion. Those of you who were with us in Assisi this May know first hand what a rare treasure he is.

James Finley

James Finley is also an authentic spiritual son: of Thomas Merton, who was his novice master during his early years at Gethsemani Abbey. Jim now lives in California, where he works as a psychotherapist, writer, and retreat leader. He is an unsurpassed master in his teachings on the Christian mystical tradition, particularly John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.

As for me, as most of you know, I am particularly interested in Christian contemplative Wisdom, particularly the interface between monastic and mystical insight and the classic teachings of the Christian inner tradition.

Our invited master teachers will draw the circle wide, including representatives from both liberal and evangelical camps, and occasionally from other spiritual traditions as well. We are held together by a common passion for transformation and reconciliation in a fractured and frightened world. Our aim is to make a difference: to turn out people who are ready and willing to step into a future based on our common humanity and the oneness of all living beings. Christianity is where we come from, but the future is where we are headed.

Tuition for the entire two-year program is about $3600— quite a bargain considering the quality and quantity of instruction being offered.

Enrollment in the inaugural school (which will start in September 2013) is limited to 150, and the enrollment period is now open, with application packets already going fast. The enrollment period will close on September 30, so I would encourage you not to delay, as frankly, I’d love to connect with you all again in this powerful new format. Check it out at https://cac.org/living-school/living-school-welcome/; all the information you need to proceed can be found there….

I hope we’ll have some takers!

All blessings, Cynthia