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.

Healing and Wholeness 1 (Unity Church)


This advanced course based in the spiritual universal principles that support the expression of healing, health and wholeness in students’ minds, bodies and affairs. Students will be working with Myrtle and Charles Fillmore’s interpretation of healing and wholeness, as well as historical and contemporary master teachers. Such principles will be presented to support students in developing a practical understanding of Myrtle and Charles’ theology as heart-centered metaphysicians.

Instructor: Ellen Debenport

Register for this online course on Unity Church


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 on

Practicing Spirituality with Jesus (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

You are invited to explore these lessons during this 40-email course. Each email will contain a thought-provoking thought about Jesus for your reflection and a practice suggestion inspired by the quote. These are concrete ways for people of all traditions to express their respect and love of Jesus and the way he modeled.

(Please note: The 40 emails in this e-course are the same ones that were used in the Practicing Spirituality with Jesus – Lenten Edition in spring 2008; the only difference is that the Lenten edition included extra emails for the Sundays in Lent. If you are looking for new perspectives on Jesus, having taken that course, we suggest you take Practicing Spirituality with Jesus – 2.)

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available for Practicing Spirituality with Jesus – 1.)

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.

Practicing Spirituality with Rumi (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

This 40-part e-course offer quotations from Rumi’s poetry and practices suggested by his teachings. It is our hope that our choices from the great bounty of Rumi’s words will help us all cultivate heart, passion, joy, personal transformation, and renewed devotion. May each email be a reminder that, as Rumi says, “There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

(6 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.

Practicing Spirituality with Henri J. M. Nouwen (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Nouwen’s journey of Christian faith was built on his confidence in a loving and graceful God who speaks to us through community and our service of others. He was a social activist and peacemaker who constantly took the pulse of the world and paid attention to what was going on around him. He struggled with prayer and made devotion a key element in his close communion with God.

All these themes in Nouwen’s writings are explored in the e-course “Practicing Spirituality with Henri Nouwen.” Participants will receive 40 emails, each with a brief quotation from Nouwen’s writings and a practice suggested by this teaching. Henri Nouwen honored the mystery of life and the joy of the spiritual adventure — which moves on so many more levels than we think! This e-course is an opportunity to learn from a true spiritual master of our time.

(6 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.

Practicing Spirituality with Sharon Salzberg (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

“Practicing Spirituality with Sharon Salzberg” is a 40-part e-course led by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Each day you will receive an email with a short selection from one of Salzberg’s books and a suggestion for how you can practice the concept during the day.

The emails discuss how to apply her teachings on lovingkindness, compassion, generosity, equanimity, peace, and love, as well as some of the more subversive spiritual activities of the heart, such as rejoicing in another’s happiness and being compassionate toward those who cause pain. Several cover Salzberg’s creative interpretations of faith, a spiritual practice not often dealt with by Buddhists.

(6 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.

Practicing Spirituality with Brian McLaren (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Brian McLaren is a prolific and profound writer, preacher, blogger, and teacher. He is a Christian adventurer whose exploration of the territory ahead has made him a leader of Emergence Christianity, an ecumenical movement of churches, Christian leaders, thinkers, and bloggers who seek to reinterpret the Gospel and the core values of the early Christian communities into practical strategies for our postmodern era.

The readings from McLaren in this e-course will lift your spirits and turn on your creativity as you contemplate his ideas about a new global love economy, peacemaking, God’s unterror movement, the art of plotting goodness, and ways of working for the common good. You will be surprised by his thought-provoking views on the events of Holy Week and Easter. Best of all, you’ll discover why and how, in McLaren’s words, “Jesus keeps coming back.”
“Practicing Spirituality with Brian McLaren” was created by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, co-directors of Spirituality & Practice who have led more than 40 e-courses in this popular series. This one consists of 47 emails each with:

• a short reading excerpted from one of Brian McLaren’s books,
• a suggestion for a way you can “practice that thought” as you go about your day,
• a link to our review of the book where we found the reading.
You will also be able to listen to a one-hour teleconference with Brian McLaren recorded when this e-course was first offered in 2014.

Take this Lenten e-course and discover for yourself why the solid and substantive vision of McLaren’s Christianity appeals to mainline Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, and spiritual seekers of all stripes. We predict that more often than not during this journey, you will discover that Brian McLaren directly address the questions you are thinking about during your Lenten focus on self-renewal. And by the end, you will have an abundance of inspiring quotes, startling and practical ideas, and simple practices for your spiritual journey of transformation.

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

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

Some books from Brian McLaren


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.

Practicing Spirituality with Joan Chittister (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Chittister is one of the most profound and prophetic voices in progressive Christianity. Her bold vision of the faith is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, including listening, hospitality, humility, and peace. Her vibrant understanding of sainthood enables us to see “the icons of the universal face of God” in fearless men and women from all religious traditions.

In “Practicing Spirituality with Joan Chittister,” we look to her for spiritual practices that are at the core of our devotion to God, our yearning for justice and peace, and our understanding of the mystical and contemplative path. This 40-part e-course consist of emails containing a passage from one of Chittister’s many books and a related practice suggestion.

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

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

Some books by Joan Chittister


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.

Practicing Spirituality with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

In this 40-part e-mail course, we ponder the Tibetan Buddhist wisdom that animates his teachings on the art of happiness, the power of forgiveness, the path to tranquility, seeing enemies as teachers, living ethically, taming the mind, and much more. Each email contains a brief passage from the Dalai Lama’s writings and a suggestion of a simple way to bring that wisdom into daily life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is convinced that each and every moment of the day is an opportunity to practice.

6 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.

Mastering the Art of Resilience (Spirituality & Practice)


Source: Spirituality & Practice

Resilience — the capacity to cope with and rebound from adversity — is a skill that can be mastered no matter how old you are, no matter what your circumstances. Like any skill, it takes knowledge and practice. And the more you know and practice, the better you become. Painful experiences, as with pleasurable experiences, come and go. But if you master the art of resilience you can maintain a level head and a sense of equanimity every day of your life.

“The Buddha is believed to have said, ‘Fall down seven times, get up eight,’ ” says e-retreat leader James Kullander. “During the course we will explore what happens when we fall and get up again, time after time, and learn not only how to break that fall, but also how to stop from falling in the first place. We can shore up our lives as best we can, but true resilience is built from the inside out.”

This e-course offers key ways to learn how to be resilient

• when a relationship falls apart (and how to be resilient to keep it together);
• when we feel betrayed in love, by a friend, by someone in our family, or by a spiritual teacher;
• in the face of illness and impending death (our own and the death of someone near and dear to us)
• at work when we feel stuck, passed over for a promotion, or dealing with difficult people
• during tough economic times, like when we lose our job or when our hard-won investments shrink in a financial collapse
• as we grow older; and
• when we are afraid.

The course offers a rich combination of the timeless wisdom of spiritual and philosophical sages down through the ages, contemplative practices, and the insights of contemporary experts in analytical and positive psychology. It also explore discoveries in neuroplasticity, a fascinating emerging science that explores the lifelong capacity of the brain to create new neural pathways to change old habits and conditioned reflexes so we can better respond to both the everyday and the bigger challenges in our lives.

James Kullander speaks from his own experience and also offer anecdotes from people from all walks of life describing times in which they discovered within themselves untapped sources of resilience, as well as times when they felt they needed to be resilient, and failed. We will learn how our mistakes and suffering can give us meaning and lead us toward transformation.

Subscribers to this e-course receive:

• 12 emails with reflections by James Kullander on the ways we can learn to be resilience in the many situations we find ourselves.

• Suggested practices, journal prompts, and discussion questions to help you apply resilient behavior in your life right away.

• Selective links to articles and videos on the topic of resiliency to build your own online library to learn from anytime.

(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.