Class Description
This twelve-week series is a journey you can take as a whole or you may choose any of these four-week courses individually.
The Four Pathways to the Divine:
Hinduism’s Holistic Approach to God-Realization
Tuesday evenings – February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 2021; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Phil Goldberg will be our instructor
Hindu tradition identifies four intersecting pathways to union with the Supreme: Raja Yoga, a pragmatic path emphasizing techniques such as meditation; Bhakti Yoga, the way of devotion; Jnana Yoga, the path of enquiry and discernment; and Karma Yoga, focusing on action and selfless service. Each path contains a repertoire of principles and practices, but they are mutually enhancing and so universal as to enhance anyone’s spiritual life regardless of beliefs or affiliation. The course devotes one lesson to each pathway, emphasizing their smooth interaction and their integration and application to everyday life with specific instructions, guidelines, and shared practices. Each lesson incorporates opportunities for discussion and spiritual practice.
The Stages of the Journey with Rumi & Sufism:
From Presence, to Heartfulness, to Intimacy with God
Wednesdays, March 17, 24, 31, and April 7; 7:30-9:00 EST
Kabir Helminski will be our instructor
Rumi has been quoted everywhere for years now, usually in bite size portions—a line, a couplet or a quatrain, but it is possible to go deeper, to explore the many themes that form a coherent whole in Rumi’s literary and spiritual legacy.
The inspired words of a true spiritual master are nourishment for the soul at a time when such nourishment is vital to sustaining our humanness itself. Engaging with sacred texts can kindle the precious spark of wisdom within ourselves. We will reflect on a selection of Rumi quotes, selected and translated by Shaikh Kabir and arranged according to the following themes: The Journey; Guidance and Companionship; The Divine Initiative; The Glory of Non-Existence; Surpass Yourself; The Passion of the Way; Supplication; Real I-ness.These beautiful, inspiring words from Rumi are an invitation into a deeply transformative experience.
Mystical Christianity:
Spiritual Wisdom of the Divine Presence
Monday evenings – April 19, 26, May 3, 10; 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Carl McColman will be our instructor
Karl Rahner said that Christians of the future will be mystics. But what is a mystic? What do mystics do, and how is their faith and spirituality unique? This course will draw from the wisdom of some of the great mystics like Teresa of Ávila, Julian of Norwich, and Thomas Merton to explore how their profound encounter with the presence of God can bring joy and meaning to our lives today.
Our time together will include an exploration of what mysticism is, why it matters, how it has made a difference in people’s lives, and what implications it has for our time. Because mysticism is a dimension of spirituality, and its heart is meditation and contemplation, this program will be more “retreat” than “classroom” — each session will include a practical exercise for meditation or contemplation based on the teachings of the mystics. We will consider such topics as the hiddenness of God, the role of joy and ecstasy in spirituality, the importance of silence, and the essential link between contemplation and action, or mysticism and justice. While our focus is on Christian mysticism, we’ll also touch on how mysticism is a universal reality and consider how Christian mysticism is similar to (and different from) other mystical paths from around the world.
Class Details
Instructor Bios
Philip Goldberg
The Four Pathways to the Divine: Hinduism’s Holistic Approach to God-Realization
Philip Goldberg has been studying the world’s spiritual traditions for more than 50 years, as a practitioner, teacher, and writer. He is the author or co-author of more than 20 books, published in more than a dozen languages, including American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West and his most recent book, Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. A screenwriter and published novelist, Phil is a member of the Writers Guild of America and the Authors Guild.
An ordained interfaith minister, spiritual counselor, and meditation teacher trained in 1970 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Phil has presented at yoga centers and festivals, universities, retreat centers, religious and spiritual institutions, and other venues throughout the United States and India. He leads workshops on Indian sacred texts, meditation, and related topics, both in person and online. He blogs, mainly about religion and spirituality, in Elephant Journal and contributes regularly to Spirituality & Health online about the intersection of spirituality and social issues.
Phil has been interviewed by a variety of newspapers, magazines, and radio and television outlets. He also conducts journeys to sacred India through his company, American Veda Tours, and co-hosts the popular Spirit Matters podcast, which features interviews with a diverse array of spiritual teachers and leaders. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, acupuncturist Lori Deutsch. His website is www.PhilipGoldberg.com.
Kabir Helminski
The Stages of the Journey with Rumi & Sufism: From Presence, to Heartfulness, to Intimacy with God
Kabir Helminski is a Shaikh of the Mevlevi Order, the lineage of Rumi. Kabir is also Co-Director, with his wife Camille, of The Threshold Society (Sufism.org). The Mevlevis, who trace their inspiration back seven centuries to Jalaluddin Rumi, are known for their hospitality to religious seekers of all traditions. In 2009 Kabir was named as one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims in the World." He has toured North America as Shaikh with the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey bringing Sufi culture to more than 100,000 people. His translations of Rumi and books on spirituality, Living Presence and The Knowing Heart, Holistic Islam, and In the House of Remembering, have been published in at least twelve languages. In 2017 Living Presence is being published in a commemorative 25th anniversary edition in the Spiritual Cornerstones series by Penguin Books. He has been living in Louisville since 2012.
Carl McColman
Mystical Christianity: Spiritual Wisdom of the Divine Presence
Carl McColman is a contemplative writer, speaker, teacher, soul friend, and storyteller. He is the author of numerous books, including The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Answering the Contemplative Call, An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom and Unteachable Lessons.
Carl studied at James Madison University (BA, English) and George Mason University (MA, Professional Writing and Editing). His formation in the spiritual life includes training with the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC; the Institute for Pastoral Studies in Atlanta; and the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA; where Carl is a Life-Professed Lay Cistercian: a layperson under formal spiritual guidance with the Trappist monks.
After a career as a humble bookseller, he entered into full-time lay ministry as a retreat director, writer and speaker. Since 2016 he and his wife have worked as adult catechists, co-directing the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) process at their parish. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter with Contemplative Outreach of North Georgia, and a spiritual director serving individuals both in metro Atlanta and online.
Carl’s writing appears on numerous websites, including Patheos, the Huffington Post, Day One, Contemplative Life, and Medium. He regularly posts new content to his personal blog at www.carlmccolman.com on topics such as Christian mysticism, contemplative practice, Celtic spirituality, and interreligious dialogue. Carl co-hosts the Encountering Silence podcast with filmmaker Cassidy Hall and theologian Kevin Johnson.
Testimonials
“Mysticism is not mystifying at all, but simple, always available, and utterly clarifying. Carl McColman will allow you to experience this for yourself. He gives you much wise direction and broad understanding of the field of contemplative theory and practice… Here is your teacher!” - Richard Rohr
“If you don’t know about Carl McColman and his work, you should.” - Brian D. McLaren