Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy.
You will not abandon me.
I trust in you, O Lord;
you are my God.
My destiny is in your hands.
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
— Psalm 31: 6, 8, 15-17

This course will explore the gift of life in all its phases, even those of diminishment and death, as phrases of evolution and transformation in and through Christ. It is based on the recent DVD series with Fr. Thomas Keating, The Gift of Life: Death & Dying, Life & Living. Fr. Keating is an internationally renowned theologian and an accomplished author who has traveled the world to speak with laypeople and communities about contemplative Christian practices and the psychology of the spiritual journey. He is a founding member and the spiritual guide of Contemplative Outreach.

Topics for this Lenten e-course will include:

- Stages of Dying
- Death
- Suffering
- Judgment and Mercy
- Surrender
- Coming Home
- Fr. Thomas’ nine meditations on the meaning of the Cross for Holy Week

The course will consist of a combination of email, video, and audio teachings, as well as the opportunity to share and connect with others in the online Practice Circle. You can expect:

- Email teachings will be sent on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Teachings will be excerpted from the Gift of Life DVD series.
- A contemplative engagement with Scripture and the liturgical themes of Lent as a way of seeing, listening, reflecting, and then living the great themes of Lent in your own life.
- A special invitation to participate in the United in Prayer Day on March 19, either through local groups and events and/or a 24-hour, worldwide virtual prayer vigil.

Susan Rush and Mary Anne Best will be guiding "The Gift of Life." Susan has been serving in health care all of her adult life. Her background in Clinical Pastoral Education, Formation for Contemplative Leadership, and Spiritual Direction certification has assisted her in her many years of serving on hospice and palliative care teams. Mary Anne was one of the original editors and producers of The Gift of Life DVD series. A long-time Centering Prayer practitioner and a frequent Centering Prayer retreat leader, Mary Anne has led 10 Gift of Life Centering Prayer retreats.

6 CEHs for chaplains available.

Partial scholarships are available through Contemplative Outreach. Please inquire at clp@coutreach.org.

To register for this e-course as part of our year-long program "The Path of Life," click here.

To register for only this e-course at this time, click on the "Subscribe to E-Course" button below.

Available On-Demand
(choose your own start date and frequency)

$65.00

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