Spirituality and Transformation (DS3305C)

Content

Transformation is the intentionality of the entire spiritual way. (Kees Waaijman)

This unit will approach Spirituality today within a transformative context. Students will explore questions of meaning – identifying the challenges, hopes and possibilities that occupy the contemporary mind. They will then engage with spiritual texts employing a ‘transformative process’ and bring them to bear on these contemporary issues to develop and ‘imagine’ spiritually grounded responses. Texts may include classical and contemporary sources, biblical and mystical, and other sources from the extensive human search for meaning. Contemporary issues may include those relating to justice, health and work, and living spirituality today. Central to the unit will be the opportunity for students to pursue their own area of interest and practice and apply it to their context.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: Two DS units or equivalent

Pedagogy

Learners will engage in intensive mode with lectures, workshops, facilitated peer discussion, electronic resources and practical experience.

Indicative Bibliography

• Barnhart, Bruno. The Future of Wisdom: Toward a Rebirth of Sapiential Christianity. New York: Continuum, 2007.
• Deverell, Garry. Contemplating Country: More Gondwana Theology. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2023.
• Frohlich, Mary. "Spiritual Discipline, Discipline of Spirituality: Revisiting Questions of Definition and Method." In Minding the Spirit: The Study of Christian Spirituality. Edited by Elizabeth Dreyer and Mark S. Burrows, 65–78. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005.
• Holder, Arthur G., ed. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Maldon: Blackwell Publishing, 2007.
• Keator, Mary. Lectio Divina as Contemplative Pedagogy: Re-appropriating Monastic Practice for the Humanities. New York: Routledge, 2017.
• May, Gerald G. The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 2005.
• McGinn. Bernard. Modern Mystics: An Introduction. Chestnut Ridge: Herder & Herder, 2023.
• Perrin, David Brian. Studying Christian Spirituality. New York: Routledge, 2007.
• Thompson, Judith, Stephen Pattison, and Ross Thompson. Theological Reflection. 2nd ed. London: SCM Press, 2019.
• Woods, Richard, and Peter Tyler, eds. The Bloomsbury Guide to Christian Spirituality. London: Bloomsbury, 2012.

Assessment