OVERVIEW

The School of Contemplative Listening is a study and practice of spiritual direction within the vital relationship between contemplation and justice.

A certificate in spiritual direction can be earned by those who complete three modular components: two years of in-person or online formation plus a shorter course, “Ethics and Standards of Spiritual Direction.” If you do not seek certification, you are invited to apply to participate in one or two years to add substance and depth to your professional or lay ministry, nonprofit work, activism, advocacy, or social work.

Spiritual direction is a discipline of hearing God’s voice and cooperating with the Holy Spirit to create time and space for God. This is a discipline all Christians can practice in a variety of formal and informal ways. This practicum serves to create time and space for God with you so that you can discern the unique ways you will create time and space for God on behalf of others.

We consider this a “practicum” in the sense that we believe only the Holy Spirit can teach us to pray and form us as spiritual directors. This practicum will allow you many opportunities to attend to a significant amount of inner soul work in solitary prayer and group listening practice to help you learn to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. The reading and writing of this practicum will be substantial, yet our discerning focus will consistently ask how our reading and writing inspires and forms our worship and practice.