Practicing Spirituality in Nature (Spirituality and Practice)


Source: Spirituality and Practice

Edward Abbey once described his essays as “prose psalms which celebrate the divine beauty of the natural world.” Come along on a retreat conducted via email and explore all the ways you can discover and celebrate the Divine in nature. You will receive 40 emails, each with a short quotations and a related practice suggestion.

You will savor the spiritual insights of Barbara Kingsolver, Linda Hogan, Barry Lopez, Jane Goodall, Joyce Rupp, Annie Dillard, Kent Nerburn, Rick Bass, Diane Ackerman, Wendell Berry, and many others. These poets, essayists, and naturalists tutor in the spiritual practices of wonder, play, reverence, and attention.

Use this retreat as a way to enrich your experiences outdoors any time of year. Find out what prompted Henry David Thoreau to proclaim “My profession is always to be alert, to find God in nature, to know God’s lurking places, to attend to all the oratorios and the operas in nature.”

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Click here to learn more and to register for this online spiritual retreat from Spirituality and Practice.


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

The Grace of Lent (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

For many, Lent has a gloomy, heavy air of the negative — rules, observances, abstentions, do not’s, have not’s, can not’s. Repeating this over and over again each year can seem life-depleting, even superficial and mechanical. What is lost is the deep listening, the atmosphere, you might say, of Lent without which the ascetic practices lose much of their meaning. But another climate — a state of heart, being, and spirit can permeate our entire life for these seven weeks — all in the preparation of softening our heart to open to the joyful reality of the Resurrection, our personal union with God.

This online retreat, originally created for Lent in 2014, aims to create a Lenten atmosphere of silence, stillness, and a quiet inner joy of alert receptivity. You are encouraged to partake of the particular beauty of the season viewing Lent itself as an artful preparation to a slow and sustained intentional journey where the heart is awakened into a new life in and through divine love. Here we are purified not only by what we give up and surrender, but also by how we are inspired and experience illumination.

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Learn more about this online retreat and register at Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

Praying for Justice and Peace (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Praying for justice and peace is one response to the situations in the world, and it is available to everyone. But many of us are unsure how to pray and what to pray for. We may question the efficacy of prayer and wonder about a God that “allows” such suffering. In our confusion, we may never respond to our longing to pray.

This Online Retreat gives us an opportunity to explore these valid questions and free our minds and hearts for prayer. The lessons cover such themes as the five forms of prayer (intercession, action, soul care, discernment, transformation), answers to prayer, calls to action and rest, and the power and promise of a peaceful heart. The course consists of:

• 12 email lessons
• 4 guided audio meditations designed to help you develop your prayer practice
• Recording of a one=hour teleconference with Jane Vennard from when this e-retreat was first offered in February 2012.

This retreat was created by Jane Vennard, who also helmed our e-course on Intercessory Prayer. She is one of Spirituality & Practice’s Living Spiritual Teachers and the author of Embracing the World and other books on prayer. A United Church of Christ minister, she is a professor of prayer and spirituality at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. She has been a spiritual director for more than 20 years and has led retreats on many kinds of prayer in international ecumenical settings.

Praying for peace with justice is always a work in progress. This prayer retreat is designed to help you engage in and contribute to this holy work.

(4 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Learn more about this religious online course and register on Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

The Journey of the Soul in the Teachings of Rumi (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

For this Online Retreat, a group of practicing Sufis, who have been on Rumi’s path for many years under the direction of Shaikh Kabir Helminski and Shaikha Camille Helminski, have collaborated to offer some selections from Rumi’s vast work that capture the essence of his teaching. Depending upon the frequency you chose when you schedule the course, you will receive seven weeks’ worth of emails with a selection from Rumi to be contemplated according to a recommended method of conscious reflection.

We are calling this retreat “The Journey of the Soul” because it focuses on the practical steps of the spiritual journey. It covers seven themes:

• The Call
• Seeking
• Mercy
• Purity of Heart
• Trust
• Surrender in Love
• Oneness of Being

Each week one theme will be introduced and mentored by one of the Sufi elders; later in the week he or she will relate a personal experience of living that theme.

We believe you will find these selections from the teachings of Rumi not only beautiful and inspiring, but informative and practical.

This Online Retreat has been developed by the Threshold Society, which is affiliated with The Mevlevi Order of Sufis. The Mevlevis, who trace their inspiration back seven centuries to Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, are known for their hospitality to religious seekers of all traditions. Spirituality & Practice is pleased to partner with the Threshold Society to bring these teachings to our online community. We hope that you will enjoy the retreat and that it will also be deeply transformative to your spiritual understanding.

(7 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Learn more about this religious online course and register on Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

The Essence of the Quran (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Shaikh Kabir Helminski and Jeremy Henzell-Thomas offer 30 meditations from the Qur’an revealing the universal spiritual principles at its heart. The purpose of this Online Retreat is to highlight those messages from the Qur’an that can guide and strengthen our hearts — whatever path we follow.

This Online Retreat consists of emails with passages from the Qur’an and short commentaries by Kabir Helminski, Jeremy Henzell-Thomas, and other Islamic scholars. Suggestions for reflection encourage you to recognize how the message from the Qur’an resonates with your own life.

Kabir Helminski is an Islamic scholar with a Sufi perspective. He was one of 130 internationally recognized Muslim intellectuals and religious leaders invited to sign the historic document, A Common Word, a message of peace and understanding offered to the Christian world (ACommonWord.com). In addition to his own translations of Rumi and various books on spirituality, he has recently authored The Book of Revelations, A Sourcebook of Selection from the Qur’an with Interpretations and The Book of Language, Exploring the Spiritual Vocabulary of the Qur’an.

Jeremy Henzell-Thomas is Founder of the Book Foundation (TheBook.org), a non-profit charity dedicated to improving understanding of Islam in the West and bringing to light the universal spiritual message of the Qur’an. He has a Ph.D. in linguistics, and speaks and writes extensively on the theme of education, spirituality and society, including a regular Reflections essay for Emel Magazine offering a Qur’anic perspective on contemporary issues.

(4 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Learn more about this religious online course and register on Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

The Wisdom of the Rebbes (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

This online spiritual course will focus on four ways to embrace God:

The Way of Wisdom rooted in an understanding of human and divine nature;

The Way of Study rooted in the teachings of Torah, the Five Books of Moses;

The Way of Faith rooted in the cultivation of a fearless trust; and

The Way of Humility rooted in the fact that in the end it isn’t what we know that saves us, but the realization that we know nothing at all.

The course was designed to be delivered daily over four weeks, although other frequencies are also possible. Subscribers receive emails with a short teaching from the writings of one of the Hasidic rebbes on the theme of the week. The Baal Shem Tov (1234-1234), Dov Ber of Mezritch (1704-1772), Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810), Menachem Mendel of Kotsk (1787-1859) are a few of the rebbes whose wisdom is shared. Each teaching is paired with a brief commentary from Rabbi Rami whose translations of and commentary on Hasidic stories and texts are legendary. In addition, Rami will offer a practice for the day designed to help you live the teaching and deepen your understanding of it.

During the original presentation of this course, Rabbi Rami did three teleconferences in which he discussed issues raised by the study with callers. The recordings of those one-hour teleconferences are also available to those taking the course on-demand.

This Online Retreat has been developed by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, profiled in Spirituality & Practice’s Living Spiritual Teachers Project and author of Hasidic Tales Annotated and Explained, and Tanya, a Hasidic Masterpiece. While rooted in Judaism, the teachings of these Hasidic rebbes are applicable to everyone, and Rami’s commentary and practices are designed to engage people of any religious/spiritual tradition and no tradition.

Learn more about this religious online course and register on Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

The Grace of Advent (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

This e-course for Advent uses Scripture and new teachings by Fr. Thomas Keating and other mystical writers to explore the great themes of this season as they inform and enrich the contemplative life. The retreat content is shared via emails; it was originally designed to be sent on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, beginning on the Friday before the First Sunday in Advent. Included are links to new audio recordings of Fr. Thomas.

Learn more about this religious online course from Spirituality & Practice


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.