The School has a modular structure with three specific intentions, all of which happen concurrently worldwide in the community:

Stage 1. Workshop on the Essential Teaching

Over a weekend with the help of facilitators, participants share the essential teaching, the history of the tradition and an overview of the spiritual journey. They also give short talks with feedback. A strong sense of community is built up, which then reinforces personal confidence in leading or starting new groups.

Open to those who have one year of practice in our tradition and show commitment to deepening their understanding of the ‘Essential Teaching’.

Stage 2.

Roots of Christian Mysticism Course

‘Roots of Christian Mysticism’ Courses now form an integral part of the teaching schedule of the ‘School’. The Course offers the unique opportunity to explore in depth the history of Christian Mysticism and discover within it the centrality of contemplative prayer. Christian Meditation, as rediscovered by John Main, is therefore seen as truly founded in the Christian tradition. The practice of Christian Meditation forms an integral part of each individual session of the course, so as to combine theory with practical experience. The objective of the Course is to follow the rich stream of Christian mysticism throughout the ages seriously and in depth by using the insights of certain key spiritual teachers as stepping stones along the way. In its entirety it leads the participant from the New Testament roots of this tradition to the great Patristic teachers, then on through the Desert Fathers, Meister Eckhart, the English Mystics and the Spanish Mystics and up to modern times, where there is a special emphasis on key figures such as Thomas Merton, John Main and Bede Griffiths. It is not considered to be primarily information gathering, more a spiritual journey of discovery, a process of growth for everyone through being exposed to the whole rich stream of the Christian spiritual tradition.

It can be offered in various formats: a year-long weekly Course, a monthly Course run over three years, an on-going Course offered on a modular basis or a series of weekends, whichever format is appropriate to local conditions. As ‘Roots’ Courses in the future may be offered typically in modular form it is important to situate each module carefully within the whole development of Christian Mysticism.

For more information, please see "Guidelines for running ‘Roots of Christian Mysticism’ Courses"

Open to anyone with an interest in Christian Mysticism and meditation. The outcome of the Course is often that participants become meditators or their commitment to meditation increases; eventually they may want to attend a ‘Workshop for the Essential Teaching’.

School Seminars

School Seminars’ are primarily restricted to those that offer a further deepening of the three main components of the ‘Workshop for the Essential Teaching’: ‘Essential Teaching’, ‘History of the Tradition’ and ‘Psychological Stages of the Journey’ e.g.
-· Presentation Skills
-· Leading of Groups
-· The Body at Prayer
-· History of the Tradition – individual figures or periods in more depth
-· Psychological Stages of the Journey
-· Lectio Divina

Open to anyone with an interest in Christian Mysticism and meditation. The outcome of the Course is often that participants become meditators or their commitment to meditation increases; eventually they may want to attend a ‘Workshop for the Essential Teaching’.

Stage 3. School Retreats

‘School Retreats’ are week-long silent Retreats with a minimal teaching input, 7 meditation sessions, 4 contemplative walking sessions a day, and whenever possible a daily Eucharist. They are meant to lead the meditator deeper into silence and stillness, which will help them focus on their relationship with Christ and their place within the Community. Each participant meets daily with one of the Retreat Leaders.

‘School Retreats’ are a regular part of the offering of ‘The School’ worldwide.

Open to committed meditators, who have already attended a ‘Workshop on the Essential Teaching’

<<<click here to read about the Purpose of the School
click here to read Guidelines for Organising 'Roots" Courses>>>
click here to read the School Teaching Programme>>>