Mystical Consciousness

CLASS ONE: 

Different levels of consciousness:

Defining Mysticism, Mystical States

The Song of Songs

Praxis: Recalling moments of Kairos not Chronos

CLASS TWO: 

On Being a Mystic:

Mindfulness, Detachment, Holy Longing

Surrender, Sacred Marriage

The Miracle of Mindfulness

The Cloud of Unknowing

Praxis: Exercises in Mindfulness

CLASS THREE: 

Classic understanding of Mystical Journey:

The Dark Night – Illumination – Union

The mystical journey is a spiral, not a linear path.

Dante’s La Divina Commedia.

Praxis: Mapping Seasons of Orientation—Disorientation—Reorientation

CLASS FOUR: 

The Journey of Purgation:

Primary addictions, and The False Self

John of the Cross. Ascent of Mount Carmel

The Conference of the Birds

Praxis: The Birds’ Quiz and Reflection

CLASS FIVE: 

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: 

The Journey of Illumination:

The Writings of St. Paul

Hildegard of Bingen: Illuminations and Music

Julian of Norwich

Praxis: Learning to see

CLASS SEVEN: 

The Journey of Illumination Continued:

Bonaventure’s The Soul’s Journey into God.

Thomas Merton

Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si.’

Praxis: Beholding the Divine in Creation

CLASS EIGHT:  

The Journey of Love:

The Love Poetry of Ramprasad (trans. Lex Hixon)

Selections from John’s Gospel 

Rolle’s The Fire of Love

Praxis: Love poetry