Art of Contemplative Practice 1

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an informed and critical appreciation of contemplation.
2. Articulate an understanding of various experiences of contemplation.
3. Assess models of spiritual practice, listening and action that relate to everyday life experience.
4. Compare and contrast various approaches to contemplative practices as they relate to vocational engagement and systematically evaluate the traditional approaches to contemplative practice. 
5. Creatively apply the principles of contemplative practice to discernment processes in life decisions.

• One book review (2,000 words) (30%)
• One essay (4,000 words) (70%)

Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue*

• Benner, David G. Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010. (recommended for purchase)*
  
• Binz, Stephen, J. Conversing with God in Scrpture: A contemporary approach to Lectio Divina. Frederick, MD: The Word Among Us Press, 2008.
• Edwards, Denis. How God Acts : Creation, Redemption, and Special Divine Action. Minneapolis, MI: Fortress Press, 2010.
• Laird, Martin. Into the Silent Land: The Practice of Contemplation. London, UK: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, 2006. (recommended for purchase)*
• Liebert, Elizabeth. The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.
• Merton, Thomas. New Seeds of Contemplation. New York, NY: New Directions, 1972.
• Merton, Thomas, and William Henry Shannon. The Inner Experience: Notes on Contemplation. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco, 2003.
• Rohr, Richard. The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See. New York: Crossroad Pub. Co., 2009.
• Small, Simon. From The Bottom of the Pond: The forgotten art of experiencing God in the depths of the present moment. Hants, UK: O Books, 2007. (recommended for purchase)*
• Tolle, Eckhart. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. New York: Plume, 2006.
• Yaconelli, Mark. Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry. El Cajon, CA; Grand Rapids, MI: Youth Specialties, Zondervan, 2007.