Previous Years' Course Catalogues

The course seeks to outline the trajectory of the work of the Holy Spirit from its contemplative beginnings (Church Fathers, Desert Fathers, and Monasticism), through major medieval foundations (e.g., Mendicant, Ignatian, Carmelite), up to contemporary lay charisms. This three-stage development culminates in: today’s engagement with the secular world; the foundational baptismal spirituality with a universal call to holiness; and the ever-deepening awareness of the spousal union with Christ and divine filiation of the Father. The course aims at fostering a concrete encounter with the infinite furnace of God’s Trinitarian love.

"All the world is not worth the day that the Song of Songs was given to Israel; all the Kethubhim are holy but the Song of Songs is the holy of holies." Mishnah Yadayim 3.5 So Rabbi Akiva aptly testified to The Song's unique and compelling scriptural witness, as early as the second century. Yet, one of the most enticing realities of The Song's two thousand year interpretive history remains the inability for its readers to agree upon a rationale for The Song's appropriate inclusion within the canon. Each interpreter struggles to provide a strategy that illuminates The Song's relationship to other scriptural texts. Like Jacob at Jabbok, scholars' efforts are intense. But remaining questions continually lure others into their own tussling match with The Song. This course examines The Song of Songs' text, and the wide range of interpretative approaches applied to it, including midrashic, allegorical, linguistic, comparative, ideological, form critical, and feminist hermeneutical strategies. Students will become more attuned to the sophisticated and dynamic details of The Song's "text" itself; allowing for the subsequent identification of the various factors at play within the proposals of the exegetes and interpreters we encounter. Careful attention to each scholar's choice of translation from the various English translations of The Song's canonized Hebrew (Masoretic), Latin (Vulgate), and Greek (Septuagint) texts will be incorporated into our exploration of the scholar's findings.

This course presents the mystical traditions of Christianity with reference to other faith practices as the experience of a sacred journey of transformation according to the narrative pattern of life, death, and resurrection (or in Richard Rohr’s contemporary expression, “order, disorder, and reorder”). As we examine the rich history of Christian mystical experience and parallels within other ancient spiritual traditions, we will recognise the special role of entheogens, or sacred fungus and plant medicines, alongside other practices, in facilitating or deepening transcendent experience. We will examine the potential role of entheogens in mystical encounters today, mindful of both ethical considerations and diverse perspectives on their usage. Interdisciplinary reflection will draw upon research in human consciousness, psychology, anthropology, comparative mysticism, medicine, and spiritual care, and invited guest speakers from different contexts, including indigenous spiritual leaders and clinical researchers studying the benefits of psychedelic therapy (including for addiction, trauma, and end-of-life care), will assist students as future faith leaders and spiritual care providers to develop a holistic and coherent response to the current psychedelic revival. We will emphasise harm reduction and overall wellbeing, and uphold sacred narrative, ritual, and spiritual disciplines as essential elements of the “set and setting” for a healthy and transformative use of entheogens. Structured around the key concepts, practices, and texts of mystical tradition, as well as the lives and teachings of influential mystics within Christianity and beyond, the course provides the opportunity to explore the ongoing invitation of the sacred journey of transformation – both with and without entheogenic aids – for us to embrace change, navigate challenges, accept inner healing, experience personal and spiritual growth, and establish a more profound and interdependent connection with the divine, with others, and all creation. Please note that this course neither condones nor encourages illicit or unsafe behaviour.

This course presents the mystical traditions of Christianity with reference to other faith practices as the experience of a sacred journey of transformation according to the narrative pattern of life, death, and resurrection (or in Richard Rohr’s contemporary expression, “order, disorder, and reorder”). As we examine the rich history of Christian mystical experience and parallels within other ancient spiritual traditions, we will recognise the special role of entheogens, or sacred fungus and plant medicines, alongside other practices, in facilitating or deepening transcendent experience. We will examine the potential role of entheogens in mystical encounters today, mindful of both ethical considerations and diverse perspectives on their usage. Interdisciplinary reflection will draw upon research in human consciousness, psychology, anthropology, comparative mysticism, medicine, and spiritual care, and invited guest speakers from different contexts, including indigenous spiritual leaders and clinical researchers studying the benefits of psychedelic therapy (including for addiction, trauma, and end-of-life care), will assist students as future faith leaders and spiritual care providers to develop a holistic and coherent response to the current psychedelic revival. We will emphasise harm reduction and overall wellbeing, and uphold sacred narrative, ritual, and spiritual disciplines as essential elements of the “set and setting” for a healthy and transformative use of entheogens. Structured around the key concepts, practices, and texts of mystical tradition, as well as the lives and teachings of influential mystics within Christianity and beyond, the course provides the opportunity to explore the ongoing invitation of the sacred journey of transformation – both with and without entheogenic aids – for us to embrace change, navigate challenges, accept inner healing, experience personal and spiritual growth, and establish a more profound and interdependent connection with the divine, with others, and all creation. Please note that this course neither condones nor encourages illicit or unsafe behaviour.

This course presents the mystical traditions of Christianity with reference to other faith practices as the experience of a sacred journey of transformation according to the narrative pattern of life, death, and resurrection (or in Richard Rohr’s contemporary expression, “order, disorder, and reorder”). As we examine the rich history of Christian mystical experience and parallels within other ancient spiritual traditions, we will recognise the special role of entheogens, or sacred fungus and plant medicines, alongside other practices, in facilitating or deepening transcendent experience. We will examine the potential role of entheogens in mystical encounters today, mindful of both ethical considerations and diverse perspectives on their usage. Interdisciplinary reflection will draw upon research in human consciousness, psychology, anthropology, comparative mysticism, medicine, and spiritual care, and invited guest speakers from different contexts, including indigenous spiritual leaders and clinical researchers studying the benefits of psychedelic therapy (including for addiction, trauma, and end-of-life care), will assist students as future faith leaders and spiritual care providers to develop a holistic and coherent response to the current psychedelic revival. We will emphasise harm reduction and overall wellbeing, and uphold sacred narrative, ritual, and spiritual disciplines as essential elements of the “set and setting” for a healthy and transformative use of entheogens. Structured around the key concepts, practices, and texts of mystical tradition, as well as the lives and teachings of influential mystics within Christianity and beyond, the course provides the opportunity to explore the ongoing invitation of the sacred journey of transformation – both with and without entheogenic aids – for us to embrace change, navigate challenges, accept inner healing, experience personal and spiritual growth, and establish a more profound and interdependent connection with the divine, with others, and all creation. Please note that this course neither condones nor encourages illicit or unsafe behaviour.

This course presents the mystical traditions of Christianity with reference to other faith practices as the experience of a sacred journey of transformation according to the narrative pattern of life, death, and resurrection (or in Richard Rohr’s contemporary expression, “order, disorder, and reorder”). As we examine the rich history of Christian mystical experience and parallels within other ancient spiritual traditions, we will recognise the special role of entheogens, or sacred fungus and plant medicines, alongside other practices, in facilitating or deepening transcendent experience. We will examine the potential role of entheogens in mystical encounters today, mindful of both ethical considerations and diverse perspectives on their usage. Interdisciplinary reflection will draw upon research in human consciousness, psychology, anthropology, comparative mysticism, medicine, and spiritual care, and invited guest speakers from different contexts, including indigenous spiritual leaders and clinical researchers studying the benefits of psychedelic therapy (including for addiction, trauma, and end-of-life care), will assist students as future faith leaders and spiritual care providers to develop a holistic and coherent response to the current psychedelic revival. We will emphasise harm reduction and overall wellbeing, and uphold sacred narrative, ritual, and spiritual disciplines as essential elements of the “set and setting” for a healthy and transformative use of entheogens. Structured around the key concepts, practices, and texts of mystical tradition, as well as the lives and teachings of influential mystics within Christianity and beyond, the course provides the opportunity to explore the ongoing invitation of the sacred journey of transformation – both with and without entheogenic aids – for us to embrace change, navigate challenges, accept inner healing, experience personal and spiritual growth, and establish a more profound and interdependent connection with the divine, with others, and all creation. Please note that this course neither condones nor encourages illicit or unsafe behaviour.

An introduction to the dynamics, practice, and issues of spiritual direction and discernment in our contemporary culture with components of theological reflection on personal experience.

An introduction to the dynamics, practice, and issues of spiritual direction and discernment in our contemporary culture with components of theological reflection on personal experience.

An introduction to the dynamics, practice, and issues of spiritual direction and discernment in our contemporary culture with components of theological reflection on personal experience.

An introduction to the dynamics, practice, and issues of spiritual direction and discernment in our contemporary culture with components of theological reflection on personal experience. Class participation, readings, short weekly reflection papers.

An introduction to the dynamics, practice, and issues of spiritual direction and discernment in our contemporary culture with components of theological reflection on personal experience.

This course will investigate spirituality and health in light of a wholistic view of human flourishing tha includes physical, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social aspects. Emphatic spiritual care requires the ability to put oneself in the shoes of another. The role of illness narratives and active listening will be examined. Aspects of inter-cultural spiritual care will be named and practiced.