FROM CONFUSION TO AUTONOMY
GIVING A SPIRITUAL MEANING
TO YOUR LIFE
FROM CONFUSION TO AUTONOMY
Initiation to Mystical Theology
TO YOUR LIFE
FROM CONFUSION TO AUTONOMY
Initiation to Mystical Theology
from September 2023 to April 2024
Program description
If the experience is essential for a full life, an enlightened reflection is necessary to deepen it and integrate it into daily life. This is the goal of contemplative theology, which is based on a demand for healing, above all spiritual. It implements all human capacities, including intellectual ones, to better understand oneself in connection with the mysterious Presence that animates us.
How to bring reason down to the level of the heart? What tools for self-knowledge? Which path is appropriate for us? How to orient oneself in the world of spirituality (meditation, yoga, action, psychedelic, new age, etc.)? What does a master-disciple relationship mean? What does spiritual transformation involve? Does it require leaving the world, its familiar environment?
This program brings together the most relevant elements, theoretical and practical, of the Christian contemplative knowledge to offer you autonomy in exploring the paths of Silence and the heights of spiritual life.
If the experience is essential for a full life, an enlightened reflection is necessary to deepen it and integrate it into daily life. This is the goal of contemplative theology, which is based on a demand for healing, above all spiritual. It implements all human capacities, including intellectual ones, to better understand oneself in connection with the mysterious Presence that animates us.
How to bring reason down to the level of the heart? What tools for self-knowledge? Which path is appropriate for us? How to orient oneself in the world of spirituality (meditation, yoga, action, psychedelic, new age, etc.)? What does a master-disciple relationship mean? What does spiritual transformation involve? Does it require leaving the world, its familiar environment?
This program brings together the most relevant elements, theoretical and practical, of the Christian contemplative knowledge to offer you autonomy in exploring the paths of Silence and the heights of spiritual life.
In What Spirit?
The program is offered with a view to incarnating the loving Presence on a daily basis by mastering as much as possible the theoretical instruments at our disposal, necessary for discernment without which it is easy to get lost.
The spiritual experience of each participant is at the heart of the program. How to deepen it, not lock oneself in it, give it meaning, put words to it, communicate it?
This program is then designed in such a way as to bring together experience and theory, faith and reason, artistic intelligence and intellectual rigour, silence and speech.
It is an opportunity to learn to know oneself in resonance with the long and rich Christian mystical tradition. We envisage it in what is most essential (self-transformation in the simplicity of love and silence) in dialogue with other contemplative paths, in particular Buddhists, Hindus and Sufis, in dialogue also with the requirements of an ecological consciousness, with the sciences (anthropology, psychology, neurology, quantum physics, etc.), as well as with important aspects of our society (pluralism, transhumanism, psychedelic therapies, mindfulness meditation, etc.).
The program is offered with a view to incarnating the loving Presence on a daily basis by mastering as much as possible the theoretical instruments at our disposal, necessary for discernment without which it is easy to get lost.
The spiritual experience of each participant is at the heart of the program. How to deepen it, not lock oneself in it, give it meaning, put words to it, communicate it?
This program is then designed in such a way as to bring together experience and theory, faith and reason, artistic intelligence and intellectual rigour, silence and speech.
It is an opportunity to learn to know oneself in resonance with the long and rich Christian mystical tradition. We envisage it in what is most essential (self-transformation in the simplicity of love and silence) in dialogue with other contemplative paths, in particular Buddhists, Hindus and Sufis, in dialogue also with the requirements of an ecological consciousness, with the sciences (anthropology, psychology, neurology, quantum physics, etc.), as well as with important aspects of our society (pluralism, transhumanism, psychedelic therapies, mindfulness meditation, etc.).
For Who?
This program is intended for anyone from the Francophonie who is driven by a thirst for the divine, the transcendent, for a life of fullness, and who wishes to learn about contemplative theology in order to know themselves better in a world in crisis. and in connection with the mysterious presence, whatever name we give it, which animates us, makes us free and connects us with the living.
If the program is appropriate for Christians who struggle to nourish the mystical dimension of their faith, it is also suitable for people who claim to belong to no tradition. It does not promote any particular group, but offers an informed and critical view of various schools and authors.
Likewise, while it offers nuanced and methodical thinking, you don't need a college degree to participate. The program is designed to support everyone in their reflections and experiences from where they are and at their own pace.
This program is intended for anyone from the Francophonie who is driven by a thirst for the divine, the transcendent, for a life of fullness, and who wishes to learn about contemplative theology in order to know themselves better in a world in crisis. and in connection with the mysterious presence, whatever name we give it, which animates us, makes us free and connects us with the living.
If the program is appropriate for Christians who struggle to nourish the mystical dimension of their faith, it is also suitable for people who claim to belong to no tradition. It does not promote any particular group, but offers an informed and critical view of various schools and authors.
Likewise, while it offers nuanced and methodical thinking, you don't need a college degree to participate. The program is designed to support everyone in their reflections and experiences from where they are and at their own pace.
What Format and Schedule?
The program consists of four units or courses, two in the Fall and two in the Winter. Each unit includes four days of teaching, one Saturday per month.
It is possible to follow the units over two years; for example, take units 1 and 3 this year and units 2 and 4 the following year.
The modules are given in a dynamic and interactive way. A balance is maintained between presentation of the material and question period. Exchanges and discussions are encouraged to deepen the points raised. Documents (written, video or audio) will be proposed before each session to go further in the reflection.
The schedules (three hours a day) are established in such a way as to follow the units live as much in different regions of Canada and United States of America, as well as in United Kingdom and in Costa Rica from where the program is given (The following schedules do not take into account the passage to Summer time).
. Canada (Atlantique, HNA): 11am to 2pm
. Canada (Est, HNE), USA (Eastern): 10am to 13pm
. Canada (Centre, HNC), USA (Central): 9am to 12pm
. Costa Rica, Canada (Mountain, HNR), USA (Mountain): 8:30am to 11:30am
. Canada (Pacific, HNP), USA (Pacific): 7am to 10am
. Canada (Newfoundland, HNT): 11:30am to 2:30pm
. United Kingdom: 2:30pm to 5:30pm
The program consists of four units or courses, two in the Fall and two in the Winter. Each unit includes four days of teaching, one Saturday per month.
It is possible to follow the units over two years; for example, take units 1 and 3 this year and units 2 and 4 the following year.
The modules are given in a dynamic and interactive way. A balance is maintained between presentation of the material and question period. Exchanges and discussions are encouraged to deepen the points raised. Documents (written, video or audio) will be proposed before each session to go further in the reflection.
The schedules (three hours a day) are established in such a way as to follow the units live as much in different regions of Canada and United States of America, as well as in United Kingdom and in Costa Rica from where the program is given (The following schedules do not take into account the passage to Summer time).
. Canada (Atlantique, HNA): 11am to 2pm
. Canada (Est, HNE), USA (Eastern): 10am to 13pm
. Canada (Centre, HNC), USA (Central): 9am to 12pm
. Costa Rica, Canada (Mountain, HNR), USA (Mountain): 8:30am to 11:30am
. Canada (Pacific, HNP), USA (Pacific): 7am to 10am
. Canada (Newfoundland, HNT): 11:30am to 2:30pm
. United Kingdom: 2:30pm to 5:30pm
What Strategy for Content Integration?
. The four units are designed to form a coherent whole capable of achieving our objective. Also, the integration of the material will be done gradually by developing the ability to make links between the different contents.
. Each course consists of a presentation and periods of questions and exchanges. The readings done beforehand will allow you to go further in learning.
. Each unit will end with a fifth meeting (3 hours maximum) in order to review all the content. (date to be determined)
. For those who wish, we suggest holding a one-day symposium (3 hours maximum) at the end of the program so that participants can share their discoveries and encourage discussions. (date to be determined)
. Regular sending of documents (written, videos, audios) to deepen reflection in resonance with one's own experience.
. Personalized support is offered as needed throughout the training.
. We will receive special guests for specific interventions, specialists in the fields that interest us.
Evaluation exercises are offered throughout the training for those who wish and according to the pace of each. In particular, we suggest that you respond briefly in writing to specific questions from one session to another, as well as to carry out a writing project (10 pages) to be submitted at the end of each unit.
. Note that the courses are not considered in a spirit of performance; no marks will be awarded. However, comments can only be made to sharpen your skills.
. We aim to create a research community, a platform bringing together people driven by the same desire for fulfillment and wishing to share their questions with fellow seekers. To do this, a forum will be available to allow exchanges and discussions outside of class.
. We ask participants to turn on their camera during virtual meetings to establish better synergy.
. The limited number of participants will allow for better learning and greater interaction.
. Finally, we suggest starting each session with a short period of silent meditation. Indeed, we encourage participants to regularly practice silent meditation alongside more theoretical reflection.
. The four units are designed to form a coherent whole capable of achieving our objective. Also, the integration of the material will be done gradually by developing the ability to make links between the different contents.
. Each course consists of a presentation and periods of questions and exchanges. The readings done beforehand will allow you to go further in learning.
. Each unit will end with a fifth meeting (3 hours maximum) in order to review all the content. (date to be determined)
. For those who wish, we suggest holding a one-day symposium (3 hours maximum) at the end of the program so that participants can share their discoveries and encourage discussions. (date to be determined)
. Regular sending of documents (written, videos, audios) to deepen reflection in resonance with one's own experience.
. Personalized support is offered as needed throughout the training.
. We will receive special guests for specific interventions, specialists in the fields that interest us.
Evaluation exercises are offered throughout the training for those who wish and according to the pace of each. In particular, we suggest that you respond briefly in writing to specific questions from one session to another, as well as to carry out a writing project (10 pages) to be submitted at the end of each unit.
. Note that the courses are not considered in a spirit of performance; no marks will be awarded. However, comments can only be made to sharpen your skills.
. We aim to create a research community, a platform bringing together people driven by the same desire for fulfillment and wishing to share their questions with fellow seekers. To do this, a forum will be available to allow exchanges and discussions outside of class.
. We ask participants to turn on their camera during virtual meetings to establish better synergy.
. The limited number of participants will allow for better learning and greater interaction.
. Finally, we suggest starting each session with a short period of silent meditation. Indeed, we encourage participants to regularly practice silent meditation alongside more theoretical reflection.
Units Content
. Unit 1: Writing and self-knowledge workshop (Fall 2022)
First, it is important to learn about the joys and challenges of writing and research. Better understanding one's relationship to the divine, and those of the great mystical authors, necessarily involves mastering words and their meaning. Experience can deceive us if it is not formulated according to a coherent and time-tested conceptual framework.
We deepen our understanding of who we are through the ability to articulate our questions and find the right words to express our intuitions and better communicate what makes us live.
We learn here to develop our own thinking on spiritual things by transforming our opinions into enlightened and nuanced arguments so as to adopt a vision of the world capable of freeing us from our limits and from our psychological and conceptual shackles. This course is also an opportunity to discover how writing can become a spiritual practice in itself.
. Unit 2: Mystical paths from yesterday to today: characteristics and challenges (Fall 2022)
Secondly, it is important to learn about the great mystical authors of yesterday and today who make Christianity so rich (Saint Paul, Evagrius the Ponticus, Cassian, Dionysius the Areopagite, Saint Augustine, Meister Eckhart, Cloud of Unknowing’s author, Jean de la Croix, Theresa d'Avila, Madame Guyon, Le Saux, Merton, etc.). What are the similarities and differences between the great witnesses who have explored the depths of the heart and who show us the way? Here we discover how to make their teachings resonate in our lives, in our daily activities.
We show how the relationship to the transcendent has evolved over the ages and the challenges it encounters in today's society. What are the conditions for spiritual renewal, especially from meditation practices, in a world where it is easy to be distracted and confused about one's place in the Universe?
. Unit 3: Contemplative Theology and Dialogue (Winter 2023)
Once the first two units have been completed, we will be able to go further in the reflection by exploring the main principles of contemplative theology. We put into practice here the elements of a methodical thought for a balanced and liberating vision of the human condition in connection with the divine Presence within all things.
We also show how a deep dialogue with other contemplative paths can enrich our experience and our understanding. The practice of hospitality is vital today to consider the spiritual in a holistic way and with a view to a new way of living together.
. Unit 4: Steps towards Plenitude and types of accompaniment (Winter 2023)
Finally, it is necessary to deepen the teaching of the great mystical authors to highlight the stages which mark out a self-transformation, the path which leads from confusion to peace, from anguish to joy, from obsession to contentment, from darkness to light.
In doing so, we show the types of support that are suitable for each stage and also the conditions for benefiting from these aids. What kind of master-disciple relationships? The contemplative tradition in fact teaches us that it is unlikely to reach the goal without adequate accompaniment and without sufficient preparation on our part.
. Unit 1: Writing and self-knowledge workshop (Fall 2022)
First, it is important to learn about the joys and challenges of writing and research. Better understanding one's relationship to the divine, and those of the great mystical authors, necessarily involves mastering words and their meaning. Experience can deceive us if it is not formulated according to a coherent and time-tested conceptual framework.
We deepen our understanding of who we are through the ability to articulate our questions and find the right words to express our intuitions and better communicate what makes us live.
We learn here to develop our own thinking on spiritual things by transforming our opinions into enlightened and nuanced arguments so as to adopt a vision of the world capable of freeing us from our limits and from our psychological and conceptual shackles. This course is also an opportunity to discover how writing can become a spiritual practice in itself.
. Unit 2: Mystical paths from yesterday to today: characteristics and challenges (Fall 2022)
Secondly, it is important to learn about the great mystical authors of yesterday and today who make Christianity so rich (Saint Paul, Evagrius the Ponticus, Cassian, Dionysius the Areopagite, Saint Augustine, Meister Eckhart, Cloud of Unknowing’s author, Jean de la Croix, Theresa d'Avila, Madame Guyon, Le Saux, Merton, etc.). What are the similarities and differences between the great witnesses who have explored the depths of the heart and who show us the way? Here we discover how to make their teachings resonate in our lives, in our daily activities.
We show how the relationship to the transcendent has evolved over the ages and the challenges it encounters in today's society. What are the conditions for spiritual renewal, especially from meditation practices, in a world where it is easy to be distracted and confused about one's place in the Universe?
. Unit 3: Contemplative Theology and Dialogue (Winter 2023)
Once the first two units have been completed, we will be able to go further in the reflection by exploring the main principles of contemplative theology. We put into practice here the elements of a methodical thought for a balanced and liberating vision of the human condition in connection with the divine Presence within all things.
We also show how a deep dialogue with other contemplative paths can enrich our experience and our understanding. The practice of hospitality is vital today to consider the spiritual in a holistic way and with a view to a new way of living together.
. Unit 4: Steps towards Plenitude and types of accompaniment (Winter 2023)
Finally, it is necessary to deepen the teaching of the great mystical authors to highlight the stages which mark out a self-transformation, the path which leads from confusion to peace, from anguish to joy, from obsession to contentment, from darkness to light.
In doing so, we show the types of support that are suitable for each stage and also the conditions for benefiting from these aids. What kind of master-disciple relationships? The contemplative tradition in fact teaches us that it is unlikely to reach the goal without adequate accompaniment and without sufficient preparation on our part.
What Does The Program Lead To ?
. The program leads to obtaining a certificate attesting to your active participation.
. Obtaining this certificate gives access to more demanding and advanced Solars courses.
. After obtaining the certificate, we propose holding a seminar in Costa Rica to meet face-to-face and deepen our exchanges around a theme chosen together.
. In terms of personal abilities, the program makes it possible to acquire autonomy in the exploration of contemplative paths with discernment and in resonance with one's own experience.
. It offers to nourish his spiritual life in dialogue with other ways of thinking and praying.
. It allows you to become familiar with great authors of the Christian mystical tradition, its historical evolution and its current challenges.
. It facilitates the awareness of the obstacles and the aids to welcome the divine Presence in oneself and to live it daily in all simplicity.
. The program also offers you the ability to develop critical thinking in writing so as to transform an opinion into nuanced arguments, and in doing so, to engage in informed research on the themes that interest us.
. More fundamentally and above all, following this program is an opportunity to stir up one's thirst for the divine and to further incarnate one's faith.
. The program leads to obtaining a certificate attesting to your active participation.
. Obtaining this certificate gives access to more demanding and advanced Solars courses.
. After obtaining the certificate, we propose holding a seminar in Costa Rica to meet face-to-face and deepen our exchanges around a theme chosen together.
. In terms of personal abilities, the program makes it possible to acquire autonomy in the exploration of contemplative paths with discernment and in resonance with one's own experience.
. It offers to nourish his spiritual life in dialogue with other ways of thinking and praying.
. It allows you to become familiar with great authors of the Christian mystical tradition, its historical evolution and its current challenges.
. It facilitates the awareness of the obstacles and the aids to welcome the divine Presence in oneself and to live it daily in all simplicity.
. The program also offers you the ability to develop critical thinking in writing so as to transform an opinion into nuanced arguments, and in doing so, to engage in informed research on the themes that interest us.
. More fundamentally and above all, following this program is an opportunity to stir up one's thirst for the divine and to further incarnate one's faith.
What Dates?
. Unit 1 (Fall 2023): September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2
. Unit 2 (Fall 2023): September 23, October 21, November 18, December 16
. Unit 3 (Winter 2024): January 13, February 10, March 9, April 6
. Unit 4 (Winter 2024): January 27, February 24, March 23, April 20
. Unit 1 (Fall 2023): September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2
. Unit 2 (Fall 2023): September 23, October 21, November 18, December 16
. Unit 3 (Winter 2024): January 13, February 10, March 9, April 6
. Unit 4 (Winter 2024): January 27, February 24, March 23, April 20
Registration and Costs
The price for the entire program is 750 can$ or 499 €/US$.
Register before November 30
to take advantage of 10% off.
This includes:
. Module teaching (48 hours)
. Summary sessions (16 heures)
. Written and audiovisual documents
. Continuing evaluation
. Intervention of special guests
. Personalized support (1 hour included in the package).
It is possible to take extra hours of private support throughout the training. Voluntary contribution according to the means of each; the suggested rate is 60 can$ / hour or 45 €/US$ / hour.
A minimum of six registrations is required to start the program.
We will send to anyone interested the conditions of registration and the terms of payment. Funding opportunities are available.
The price for the entire program is 750 can$ or 499 €/US$.
Register before November 30
to take advantage of 10% off.
This includes:
. Module teaching (48 hours)
. Summary sessions (16 heures)
. Written and audiovisual documents
. Continuing evaluation
. Intervention of special guests
. Personalized support (1 hour included in the package).
It is possible to take extra hours of private support throughout the training. Voluntary contribution according to the means of each; the suggested rate is 60 can$ / hour or 45 €/US$ / hour.
A minimum of six registrations is required to start the program.
We will send to anyone interested the conditions of registration and the terms of payment. Funding opportunities are available.