July 9-30, 2025
Course Description
Are you seeking a deeper connection with your true self and God? Explore how contemplative spirituality can transform your life by living each moment as a prayer. This immersive course invites you to engage with a community of fellow seekers and discover the transformative power of Centering Prayer.
Key Benefits:
- Deepen Your Spiritual Practice: Learn how to integrate contemplative practices into daily life
- Connect with Fellow Pilgrims: Join a supportive community of spiritual seekers
- Transform Your Relationship with God: Explore how contemplative practices can heal and open you to God's loving presence
Course Highlights:
- Brief overview of contemplative prayers across multiple traditions
- In-depth exploration of Centering Prayer
- Discussion on how human conditions affect our spiritual journey and how contemplative practices can heal and transform us
Introduction to Contemplative Spirituality is deisgned to be an immersive and practiced-based experience that roots prayer as a way of life, not another thing to do. Participants are invited to use this course to discern if other contemplative spirituality programs at the Center for Lifelong Learning may align with their growth and spiritual development.
Location
Online
Facilitator
Julie Saad
Julie Saad is a spiritual director, author, teacher and retreat leader. Since 1994 she has been a student of Thomas Keating (1923-2018), a Trappist monk who was a found member and spiritual guide for Contemplative Outreach. Julie has served Contemplative Outreach as coordinator of the Denver Chapter, facilitator of spiritual journey courses and retreats, member of the Governing Board, and coordinator of the Contemplative Living Experience Program. She has been practicing and teaching Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices for over 25 years. She recently published the book Contemplative Life: Discovering Our Path into the Heart of God, a guidebook to spiritual formation in the Christian contemplative tradition based on the teaching of Thomas Keating.
Schedule
Weekly readings and forum discussions will be asynchronous. Weekly Zoom meetings will be Wednedays 7:00-9:00 PM ET. Attendance is mandatory; these sessions will not be recorded.
Program Fee
$220, which includes a nonrefundable $50 deposit. All balances are due June 25, 2025. Cancelations must be received before June 25, 2025, to receive a refund of the program fee minus the deposit.
Course Reading
Required Reading
- Contemplative Life: Discovering Our Path into the Heart of God by Julie Saad (Chapter 2 only)
- Invitation to Love by Thomas Keating
Recommended Reading
- Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
- Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
Additional Information
All are welcome to take part in this event. Participants working towards the Certificate in Contemplative Spiritual Formation or who wish to receive continuing education credit will need to comnplete any assignments and papers for credit.
Registration will close two weeks prior to July 9, 2025, or when registration has reached maximum capacity. Day-of registrations are not permitted.
Contact
