Mystical Consciousness

CLASS ONE: May 12

· The different levels of consciousness: Sensorium, Ontological Level,

 Phylogenetic Level, Mysterium

· Defining Mysticism

· Nature Mysticism, Soul Mysticism, God Mysticism

· Mystical States

Praxis: Recalling moments of Kairos not Chronos

CLASS TWO: May 19

On Being a Mystic:

· Mindfulness

· Detachment

· Holy Longing

· Surrender

· Sacred Marriage

The Miracle of Mindfulness

The Cloud of Unknowing

The Song of Songs

Praxis: Exercises in Mindfulness

CLASS THREE: June 2

Classic understanding of Mystical Journey: An Introduction:

· The Dark Night – Illumination – Union

· The mystical journey as a spiral, not as a linear path.

· Dante’s La Divina Commedia.

Praxis: Mapping Seasons of Orientation—Disorientation—Reorientation

CLASS FOUR: June 9

The Journey of Purgation:

· Purgation of the senses and spirit

· Primary addictions

· The False Self

John of the Cross. Ascent of Mount Carmel

The Conference of the Birds

Praxis: The Birds’ Quiz and Reflection

CLASS FIVE: June 16 

The Journey of Purgation Continued: The Conference of the Birds.

· The Seven Valleys of Purgation

· Annihilation of the False Self.

Praxis: Exploration of the Seven Valleys.

CLASS SIX: June 23

The Journey of Illumination:

· Writings of St. Paul

· Hildegard of Bingen: Illuminations and Music

· Julian of Norwich

· St. Francis of Assisi

Praxis: Learning to see

CLASS SEVEN: June 30

The Journey of Illumination Continued:

· Bonaventure’s The Soul’s Journey into God.

· Teilhard de Chardin

· Thomas Merton

· Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si.’

Praxis: Beholding the Divine in Creation

CLASS EIGHT: July 7 

The Journey of Love:

· The Love Poetry of Ramprasad (trans. Lex Hixon)

· The Bhakti Path in Hinduism

· The Bhagavad Gita

· The poetry of Rumi

Praxis: Love poetry

CLASS NINE: July 14

The Journey of Love Continued:

· Selections from John’s Gospel 

· Rolle’s The Fire of Love

· More on the Sacred Marriage/ Divine Union / Divinization

· Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti

Praxis: Contemplative Prayer

CLASS TEN: July 21

Tying it all together:

· Reflections on The Mystic’s Journey

· Reflections on The Contemplative Way