"For every man's life contains its share of suffering; each of us is occasionally driven almost to despair, to ask why God allows evil and suffering to overtake him or those he loves. I had seen a great deal of suffering in the camps and prisons in those around me, had almost despaired myself, and had learned in those darkest of hours to turn to God for consolation and to trust in him alone.
" … Through the long years of isolation and suffering, God had led me to an understanding of life and his love that only those who have experienced it can fathom. He had stripped away from me many of the external consolations, physical and religious, that men rely on and had left me with a core of seemingly simple truths to guide me. And yet what a profound difference they had made in my life, what strength they gave me, what courage to go on!"
— Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J., He Leadeth Me
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"When accepted, suffering leads to wisdom, which is the perception of the divine goodness and purpose in everything that happens. Wisdom, peace and faith — that is to say, perfect trust in God — transform suffering into — I won't quite say 'joy' — but give it a meaning that takes away resistance and one can then see a value in one's suffering that is … well, God-like."
— Thomas Keating, The Gift of Life: Death & Dying, Life & Living companion book
This e-course explores the transformation of suffering as an evolutionary and transformative process in and through the divine/human experience — Christ in us, as us. The content includes excerpts from various Thomas Keating videos and writings, the wisdom of numerous contemplative witnesses and the practice of Visio Divina with the crucifix images of artist William Congdon.
You can expect:
- You will receive 20 emails during this e-course, sent to you on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting June 22nd.
- A contemplative engagement with Scripture as a way of seeing, listening, reflecting, and then living the great themes of Lent in your own life.
- The use of music, art and personal stories as evocative invitations to reflect, respond and participate in your own process of understanding and transformation.
- Mini-practices to support a contemplative life rooted in silence, solitude, stillness, solidarity, and service.
- There will also be two, live Zoom prayer groups for practicing and sharing together.
Mondays at 6pm ET, (11pm UTC +1, 3pm PT)
Wednesdays at 9am ET (6am PT, 2pm UTC +1) - Scholarships are available through Contemplative Outreach by filling out this form.
- This e-course will be facilitated by Pamela Begeman, Matt Scrimgeour and Mary Williams
(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)
To register for this e-course, click on the "Subscribe to E-Course" button below.
$75.00
