SDI New Perspectives Series
This course is the first in a series exploring the evolving landscapes of spiritual direction and companionship across sacred traditions, including Judaism, Buddhism, and InterSpirituality, with more to come.
New Perspectives on
Christian
Spiritual Direction
An 8-Part series presented by
Carl McColman
Presenter
Carl McColman
Dates
April 2 – May 21, 2025
10AM – 11:30AM Pacific
1PM-2:30PM Eastern
Duration
12 hours (total)
Sessions will be recorded.
Hear from Carl in this short introduction video
“Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion must look out on the world.”
― Teresa of Ávila
Spiritual direction and companionship is evolving to meet the needs of spiritual travelers and wayfarers who find themselves navigating a rapidly changing world.
New Perspectives on Christian Spiritual Direction is an eight-part online series with renowned spiritual teacher Carl McColman, designed for all spiritual companions wayfarers, whether you identify as Christian or are interspiritually curious. This series will explore how spiritual direction from a Christian perspective can adapt to today’s shifting political, cultural, and spiritual landscape while remaining deeply rooted in contemplative wisdom.
Each session delves into the growing diversity within Christian spiritual direction, acknowledging multiple approaches to faith and practice. Together, we will explore how mysticism, religious trauma, social and political divisions, interspirituality, gender and sexuality, and justice intersect with the art of spiritual companionship. We will also examine the countercultural role of spiritual direction in a consumer-driven society, embracing radical hospitality and deeper spiritual growth as essential responses to contemporary challenges.
Guided by Carl McColman, this course offers not only fresh insights but also practical tools, group discussions, and exercises to deepen your capacity as a spiritual companion. Whether you are seasoned in the practice or just beginning, this series will empower you to navigate the complexities of modern spirituality with grace, depth, and renewed perspective.
“We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is always needing to be born.”
― Meister Eckhart
Details
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this webinar series as are those with all levels of spiritual experience.
- Each session runs 90 minutes, and has been scheduled to be convenient to as many people around the world as possible.
- All sessions will be recorded and be viewable for at least 12 months after the last session goes live.
“Faith is the belief that the truth of our lives is deeper than all our despair.”
― Howard Thurman
Sessions (subject to change)
Session 1: Spiritual Diversity in Christian Spiritual Direction (Acknowledging Different Models)
Session 2: “The Christian of the Future Will Be a Mystic” — Spiritual Direction and the “Universal Call” to Deeper Spiritual Growth
Session 3: Spiritual Direction and the Crisis of Christianity: Religious Trauma, High Control Religion, and the Rise of “Spiritual But Not Religious” and other Post-Ecclesials Models
Session 4: Spiritual Direction and the Culture of Conflict: Navigating Spiritual Companionship in a World of Radical Social and Political Division and Diversity (also: Intrapersonal Conflict)
Session 5: Spiritual Direction and Religious Pluralism: Interspirituality and other models of religious cross-pollination
Session 6: Spiritual Direction, Gender and Sexuality: Eros and Affirmation on the Spiritual Path
Session 7: Radical Hospitality and the Mortification of Privilege: Spiritual Direction and Justice
Session 8: Spiritual Direction as Counter-Culture: Accompanying seekers in a consumer society
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.”
― Thomas Merton
Presenter
Carl McColman
Carl McColman a spiritual director, retreat leader, and internationally known speaker and teacher on mystical spirituality and contemplative living. He is the author of many books, including The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart: The Mystical Path to a Joyful Life, and Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay. He is one of the co-hosts of the Encountering Silence podcast, and blogs regularly at Patheos, Medium, and his own website, www.anamchara.com. Carl’s approach to contemplation and mysticism is inclusive and expansive; he is dedicated to exploring the common ground between faith traditions, with a particular interest in the connecting points between Christian, Buddhist and Pagan wisdom. Carl lives with his wife, artist Fran McColman, in Clarkston, Georgia, near Atlanta.
Additional Information
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this webinar series as are those with all levels of spiritual experience.
- Each session will run 90 minutes. We understand that the timing of the seminar will not be convenient in every time zone on the planet. For those who have trouble making this time, a recorded copy of each session will be made available to all those who sign up.
- CEU credits are available for all those who participate. SDI will provide a certificate of completion for self-reporting to agencies. More information can be found here: continuing education units (CEUs).
- Cost: $249 for non-members, with significant discounts for SDI members
- Scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship. Please apply here.
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