School Teaching Programme

The International Resource Group looked at the 'School' teaching programme in general and at who usually delivers this.

1. Introductory event 'Coming Home Seminar'.

The 'School' has played a key role in preparing Community members to give introductory talks largely through the 'Workshop on the Essential Teaching' supported by the 'Coming Home Resources Book'.

2. Preparatory event for giving the Six- week Course based around 'The Pearl of Great Price'. (Available from Medio Media)

National School Resources Teams often play a key role in organizing these.

3. Six Week Introductory Course

These are now largely given by Community members supported by the ‘Workshops on the Essential Teaching’ and the Course outline brainstormed by the International Resource Group and enlarged on by Fr Laurence is included in ‘The Pearl of Great Price’. (Available from Medio Media)

4. Workshops on the Essential Teaching

Run by the National Resources Teams

5. Deepening events

The following books, resources and events are developments of the three Presentations in the ‘Essential Teaching Workshop’ i.e. the ‘Essential Teaching’, ‘The History of the Tradition’ and ‘The Stages of the Journey’. Some lend themselves to being presented as Seminars.

National School Resources teams would guide or organise these.

Deepening of the Essential Teaching:

· ‘The Hunger for depth and meaning’
An essential book with accompanying CD’s to be recommended at every ‘Workshop for the Essential Teaching’. This excellent book of extracts taken from talks by John Main edited by Peter Ng provides a clear and succinct overview of John Main’s teaching. The short chapters are the right length for using as introductory talks at group meetings. (Available from Medio Media)
To be recommended by National Resources Teams.

· ‘Going Deeper’ (Prepared by Michel Legault).
The essential teaching focusing on specific group related aspects.
Material for this will be in the restricted area of the School Website.
Given by National Resources Team members

· Paul Harris’ Module on Groups.
Looking at all aspects of leading groups.

Given by National Resources Team members or Paul Harris himself.

(Materials available from Paul or Kim and will be in the restricted area of the School Website)

· Sessions on the ‘Resources Book’
A follow-up event to the ‘Essential Teaching Workshop’ organised by National Resources Teams

· Meditation Support Groups
These are meetings to further the practice of meditation by offering the opportunity to air problems in the daily discipline.

Led by Community Members and National Resources Team members

Deepening of the History Presentation

· ‘Roots of Christian Mysticism’ Course.

Presented by Community members, National Resources Team members or invited speakers guided by National Resources Teams.

The Book ‘Holy Wonder’ based on the London ‘Roots’ Course published by Canterbury Press will be available in the autumn of 2008.

· Seminars to deepen understanding of individual spiritual figures or periods after the ‘Roots of Christian Mysticism’ Course.

Presented by Community Members, National Resources Team members or invited speakers guided by National Resources Teams

Deepening of ‘The Stages of the Journey’

· Kim Nataraja ‘Dancing with Your Shadow’. (Available from Medio Media)

This is a programme which specifically targets meditators who have been on the meditative journey for some time and who wish to have a deeper understanding of the interface between the psychological and the spiritual in their own journeys.

Ruth Fowler pointed out that Kim’s retreats were seen in Australia as a welcome deepening of this aspect of the teaching.

· Other retreats focusing on the spiritual journey

Presented by Community members or National Resources Team members

Deepening of the actual practice of meditation

· Desert Retreat
This is a three-day silent Retreat (starting on Thursday evening and finishing on Monday). It is an opportunity for meditators to deepen their practice and experience silence and stillness at a deeper level with seven meditation sessions and four contemplative walking sessions a day. This Retreat may well encourage meditators to move onto the 7 day ‘School Retreat’.

Given by National Resources Team members

6. School Retreats

Given by National Resources Team members


Kim Nataraja
January 2008

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