September 11 & 18, 2009
2 Fridays
4 – 6 pm

Program Fee: $25/session;
$45 for both sessions
Early Reg. Discount: $20; $40
if registered by 9/4
Contact Hours:4 (.4 CEU)

While on the spiritual path, it is important to understand the difference between temporary spiritual states and lasting developmental stages. For example, a person may undergo an exalted mystical experience and yet be relationally and ethically immature in daily life.

First, we will discuss a variety of "visions and revelations" within the Christian tradition and compare them with the cartography of meditative states from the Orient. Second, we will put all these temporary states within the framework of the traditional 3-stage map of spiritual development: purification, illumination, union. We will pay attention to the stage of dark night of the soul - which John of the Cross described to exist before the union. Third, we will discuss Fowler's stages of faith - which will provide a bridge between Christian thought and modern developmental psychology.

Finally, we will learn about the contributions to this field made by contemporary transpersonal psychology. The maps of consciousness outlined by such authors as Charles Tart, Stan Grof and Ken Wilber will be compared with traditional systems.