Art of Contemplative Practice 1 : House of Prayer Townsville
Art of Contemplative Practice (UD code DS9201W))
Overview:
Art of Contemplative Practice 1 is offered for those seeking to explore contemplation as a basis for living and ministry.
This unit explores the foundational principles of contemplation and their relevance to our life, work and spiritual practice. The formation program will draw on the various contemplative elements of inner silence, solitude, spiritual practices, listening, discernment and the human experience of the Transcendent.
Participants will be invited to reflect on these aspects of contemplation and the impact on their developing awareness of spiritual aspects and practices in participant’s everyday life experience.
Teaching Team:
Course Supervisor: Rev. Dr Peter Bentley
Course Director and Lecturer: Margaret Trevethan
The Spiritual Formation Team: Made up of a diverse group of teachers and supervisors who are experienced spiritual companions. Together they bring a creative and balanced approach to this ministry.
Course Co-ordinator: Brianne Falconieri
Art of Contemplative Practice 1 – 2024 dates to be advised
This unit will be taught over 3 weekends beginning with an orientation evening.
The units will be offered in person at the House of Prayer and Spirituality in Townsville.
Teaching Method:
Lectures, personal reflection, sharing in triad groups, supervised practice,
Cost
Costs are as per University of Divinity fees schedule for 2024 (postgraduate single unit).
Eligible* students enrolling for academic credit may defer the payment of fees through the FEE-HELP loan scheme.
(*Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa.)
There is also the option of auditing this unit, at a reduced cost.
Fees for auditing for 2024 are payable in full to Whitley College at the time of registering as an audit participant.
Further Information
Art of Contemplative Practice 1 (UD code DS9201W) is offered for those seeking to explore contemplation as a basis for living and ministry.
This program has the attraction of the following features:
- A flexible program allowing participants to adapt it to their own circumstances.
- Participants may benefit from completing this unit on its own or using it to lead into other formation programs. (NB: Completion of this course is strongly recommended prior to enrolment in the Art of Spiritual Companioning or The House of Prayer: Tending the Holy Spiritual Direction Formation Program)
- There is a good balance between teaching, practicums and peer groups.
- Both teachers and students come from diverse faith traditions, and this adds to the depth and richness of the program.
- The House of Prayer provides an attractive venue and excellent resources for training.
- The unit is recognised by the University of Divinity and may earn credit towards the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction or Spirituality and the Master of Spiritual Direction or Master of Spirituality. FEE-HELP may be available for course fees, for those who enrol through the University of Divinity.
Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an informed and critical appreciation of contemplation
- Articulate an understanding of various experiences of contemplation.
- Assess models of spiritual practice, listening and action that relate to everyday life experience.
- Compare and contrast various approaches to contemplative practices as they relate to vocational engagement and systematically evaluate the traditional approaches to contemplative practice.
- Creatively apply the principles of contemplative practice to discernment processes in life decisions.
Assessment:
Participants will be required to complete two assessment tasks:
- Essay (5,000 words)
- Book review (3,000 words)
For more information, please contact Brianne Falconieri at the House of Prayer
Participants who audit the unit are encouraged to complete the written tasks to gain full benefit.
NB: If you choose to complete the unit as an audit participant, no academic credit can be claimed for the unit, either at the time of enrolling or retrospectively.
Process for enrolment
Numbers are limited so please enrol as soon as possible.
Academic Credit:
This unit can be taken for academic credit through Whitley College, a college of the University of Divinity.
If you already a student with the University of Divinity, contact the registrar at your own Home College to arrange enrolment.
To register as an audit participant:
Please download/complete this form and return it to Registrar at Whitley College.
Contact for New Students:
Registrar
Whitley College
Ph: (03) 9340 8000
Email: registrar@whitley.edu.au
NB: Art of Contemplative Practice 1 is strongly recommended before enrolling in either The Art of Spiritual Direction Unit 1 or Tending the Holy Spiritual Direction Formation Program, and can also be taken on its own without progressing on to further Spiritual Direction studies
