 Welcome to SpiritLife Online
. . . Audio presentations (60 hrs.) and handout materials from the two-year spiritual formation program offered at Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend, KS.
SpiritLife is a two-year spiritual formation process sponsored by Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend, KS., with additional training and formation for those interested in the ministry of spiritual direction. Classes are held on Saturdays at Heartland Center with live presenters who have at least Masters Degree level educations -- often more.
Listed below are the courses taught, descriptors of the individual classes, and the names of the instructors. You will see a few live links to give you an example of the quality of the material. Presentations were before a live audience, and the quality of audience participation varies.
Please note that this material is provided for your personal enrichment only and may not be used as part of any enrichment/training program without permission from Heartland Center for Spirituality. Also, no certificate of completion or recognition is made available for those who listen to these presentations as for live participants in Great Bend. If you would like to discuss this material with a spiritual director from Heartland Center for Spirituality, you can inquire of our staff for this process.
Pay now by credit card for immediate online access to all presentations for $165
. . - or -
DVD option: receive immediate access as above plus a DVD with all the files listed below for $195 (plus S&H); this will save hours of download time, making it easier to transfer mp3 files to your iPod or other mp3 player.
Order either option above by check or money order.
. . . Note: options to purchase individual courses or presentations also found below
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Links to order individual classes for $5.00 each will be provided by 11-30-09.
- Year One -
Introduction to Christian Spirituality
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Human Spirit, Holy Spirit
 We will review definitions, understandings and experiences of these terms and begin to focus on the meaning and practice of Christian spirituality.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Encountering Christ
How do we encounter Christ in his personal/historical, ecclesial (Church), sacramental, and cosmic modes of presence to us? We will review ways to do each.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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The Holy Spirit and Theosis
Theosis refers to the process by means of which we are enabled to participate in the life of God and so be transformed into a likeness of Christ. In this class, we will review some of the ancient Christian teachings on theosis.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Wounded Human Nature
Sin/non-love has wounded us all, and has catalyzed the development of a false-self system that sabotages our growth in many ways. We will examine some of these ways and the dysfunctional dynamics that perpetuate them.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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The Inner Nature of Faith
God takes the initiative and calls us just as we are to a relationship of love. How do we hear this call? How can we respond to it?
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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People of the Trinity
The New Covenant in Christ brings us into the family of the Trinity. We will reflect on what we mean by "Trinity" and how this understanding of God moves us to community.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Gifted by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit has often been called the "unknown Person of the Trinity." Yet without the Spirit, there would be no Church and no Christian life, as it is the gifts of the Spirit that enables us to live the life Christ calls us to.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Ongoing Conversion
 The journey is one of constantly dying and rising in Christ. In this class we will review the different kinds of conversion we must undergo as the Spirit grows us to be sons and daughters of God.
- by Connie Burkholder, M. Div. |
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Spiritual Practice
There is an active aspect to the Christian life which entails spiritual practice. We have reviewed many of these practices in the "Inner Explorations" course, but here we look at them in terms of the operations of our human consciousness, and how, through the practice of spiritual living skills, we come to live a life of love.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Summary: The Five Consents
In conclusion, we will reflect on five ongoing consents we are called to make in order to grow in our life with Christ.
- by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Contemporary Issues in Christian Spirituality
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Impetus of the Second Vatican Council
Vatican II is like an umbrella over present contemporary issues related to spirituality. Of necessity this input is quite Catholic in tone but hopefully one can make associations with one's own faith tradition and all of us can learn from each other.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Encounter with World Religions
God works in ways that we may not fully understand through the multiple religions practiced by faithful people around the globe. Expanding our understanding of different religions will help us to respect others the way Jesus did during his life and ministry.
- Sr. Jolene Geier OP |
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Spirituality for an Ecological Age
We will reflect on how earth spirituality can be redeeming. Thomas Berry tells us if there is no spirituality in earth, then there is no spirituality in humans. We are earthlings. Earth is our origin, our nourishment, our support, our guide.
- Sr. Gemma Doll OP |
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Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
The 12 steps of recovery for alcoholics have been proven to be simple and yet effective ways to overcome numerous problems in current society. The program principles provide basic helps in learning to pray, in deepening healthy relationships, in finding serenity during chaotic periods of life. Learning to live these principles brings freedom, happiness and deep peace.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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From Patriarchy to Christian Feminism
Christian Feminism is a value transformation where freedom and mutuality characterize our personal and social relationships. When one moves from patriarchy to Christian feminism our view of social reality is radically changed. Vatican II affirms “With respect to the fundamental rights of person, every type of discrimination…based on sex…is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent.”
- Sr. Jane Belanger OP |
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Modern and Postmodern Perspectives
In contrast to the world of medieval times, the Western world today is rationalistic/scientific (Modern perspective) and tolerant of a wide variety of cultures and ways of understanding things (Post-modern perspective). How this influences our understanding of the Christian message will be the focus of this class.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Bio-spirituality, Focusing
Focusing is a very special way of coming home to one's self. It is not complicated, just unfamiliar. This is an opportunity to learn to sense how an issue feels in your body, not just what you think about it. You will also learn to befriend and make space for the issue so it can tell its story thereby finding a doorway for grace to surprise you. It is not the logic of reason and control which operates here, but some awesome power, direction and purpose different from anything we could ever imagine.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Process Spirituality
How do we understand God's role in an ever-changing, evolutionary universe? Process theologians have been grappling with this question for over a century, and this class with briefly review some of the approaches that have been taken.
- Fr. Kerry Ninemire |
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Toward a Spirituality for Global Justice
Our Judeo-Christian tradition calls us to be a people who seek justice and reverence our kinship with all members of the community of life on planet earth. We will explore this call in broad terms and also in application to specific justice issues of our time.
- Sr. Rene Weeks OP |
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Integration of Action and Contemplation
The integration of action and contemplation can be viewed as learning to walk on two feet! Out of the silence of our contemplative prayer comes the Word that has the power to recreate our world.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Check out
Tools for Inner Exploration
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Rhythm for Daily Living
Religious people from every faith have recognized the unfolding story of the universe summoning us to a stance of wonder while still offering a context for the ordinary activities of daily life. As the earth turns toward the sun we engage in creative activity; as the stars come to view we are called to reflect on the vastness of the universe and our place in it. The rhythm of work and prayer is reflected in the liturgical prayer of the Church.
- Renee Dreiling OP |
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Kataphatic Prayer, Icons, Lectio Divina
The two prayer styles we will be using today are examples of kataphatic prayer i.e. prayer that is mediated through the senses. Through holy images or icons our spirits are nourished, our eyes are refreshed and our whole bodies become full of light. Icons are windows unto the vast spaciousness of God. Lectio Divina means “divine reading” and describes a way of reading the Scripture in order to let go of our own agenda and to open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. Through its four stages of reading, reflecting, responding, and resting, we allow God's word to penetrate our hearts so that we may grow in an intimate relationship with God.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP and
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Contemplative Prayer Methods
We might understand mystical contemplation as a "resting in God's love." This class will present methods of prayer that dispose us to receive this marvelous grace.
- Connie Burkholder, M. Div. |
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Working With the Twelve Steps
We will discover practical ways to apply some of the 12 step principles in our lives.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Journaling Process
Journaling assists us in that inner reaching toward meaning in life and toward a larger-than-personal connection that is present in all of us. Writing about where we are in the quest for wisdom, truth, meaning and a personal relationship with God gives us a groundedness as well as an openness to the truth of one's own journey.
- Connie Burkholder, M. Div. |
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Spiritual Direction, Soul Companioning
“Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director, the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul”. Thomas Merton. Among other aspects of spiritual direction, we will primarily address what are the actual activities that are common when people come for direction rather than speak theoretically about what should happen.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Focusing Practice
This time provides an opportunity to experience the focusing method developed by Eugene Gendlin, which enables self-acceptance, relaxation, and openness to inner integration.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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What's Your Type?
Knowing our personality type can provide a helpful key to understanding why we relate the way we do, and even how our growth has unfolded through the years. We will introduce some of the key themes of the Meyers-Briggs approach to assessing personality types in this class.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Enneagram Basics
A practical and spiritual introduction/overview of the ennegram, an ancient tool which provides insight for personal growth. Study of the ennegram often enables one to learn much about one's strengths and weaknesses.
- Sr. Jane Belanger OP |
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Dreams and Dreamwork
What is the meaning of dreams and dreaming? What might we learn from our dreams? How might we work with our dreams to benefit from the messages they bring?
- Christine Wagner, M.A. |
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Check out
- Year Two -
History of Christian Spirituality
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Biblical Spirituality: part 1
We’ll look at an overview of the Old Testament and especially at praying the Psalms. I will share a methodology for Scripture Study that I learned in the seminary.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Biblical Spirituality: part 2
The parables of Jesus enable us to look anew at our lives and the decisions we make. They also challenge us to be transformed. We’ll look at the parables and some of the other sayings of Jesus in the light of historical criticism and social customs of Jesus’ day. A short look at narrative criticism, rhetorical criticism and allegorical interpretation will follow.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Anthony and our Desert Mothers and Fathers
Radical Christians, eccentrics, wisdom figures are all ways to describe our desert fathers and mothers. They sought to live the original, unedited life of a disciple of Jesus after Emperor Constantine made Christianity a part of the status quo. These early spiritual seekers/spiritual magnets have much to teach us about spirituality. We will explore the lessons we can learn from Anthony and the other desert fathers and mothers.
- Sr. Jane Belanger OP |
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Monastic Life and the Search for God
 From the hermitages of the desert abbas and ammas, Benedict and Scholastica called Christians to a life of community, prayer and manual labor. A rule of life is written for this experiment in human courage and endurance; stability of place becomes a grounding principle.
- Sr. Joel Christoph OP |
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Dominic and Francis
We will explore the life and times of these thirteenth century saints and how their vision for Gospel life impacted the medieval church.
- Sr. Rene Weeks OP |
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Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola
Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola lived at a time of pivotal change in the world and new awareness of Church corruption. We will explore their similar but different responses to the challenges of the era. We will also examine how their theology helped people find God in their everyday life experience - again similar but different.
- Fr. Kerry Ninemire |
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The Carmelite Doctors of the Church
 The writings of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Theresa of Lisieux have been a foundation for the spiritual life of many. All three have been declared Doctors of the Church. All three are Carmelite religious with a spiritual focus on contemplative prayer. The Carmelite tradition begins with the hermits living on Mount Carmel in Palestine and symbolically drinking from the well of Elijah. We will briefly explore the life and writings of these three Carmelite Doctors.
- Sr. Diane Traffas OP |
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Therese Lisieux and Jean Pierre de Caussade
Caussade, though a Jesuit, had a great deal of influence on the Carmelite saint, St. Therese of Lisieux. She was born in 1873 and Caussade's book was first published in 1861. Caussade said, "To achieve the height of holiness, people must realize that all they count as trivial and worthless is what can make them holy." and St. Therese always insisted that it is not the greatness of our deeds that matters but that the most trivial task is supremely important if done in obedience to God's will and for love of God. Today we reflect on the spirituality of these two great spiritual giants and apply their wisdom to our own lives.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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The Quietist Backlash
During the years following the writings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, there was a renewal of enthusiasm about contemplative spirituality. But then came the misinterpretations and misapplications of their teachings, bringing about a reaction to contemplative disciplines that has lasted to this day. We will trace this history and show how we are still dealing with some of these issues.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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The Age of the Laity
Vatican Council II called all the laity, the baptized people of God, to work for the transformation of the world. It specified that as they share in the function of Christ, priest, prophet, and king, they are to have an active part of their own in the life and activity of the Church. Furthermore their activity within the Church communities is so necessary that without it the apostolate of the pastors will frequently be unable to obtain its full effect.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Check out
Spiritual Development
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Spiritual Development: the big picture
What do we mean by spiritual development? How would we compare it with other aspects of human development (moral, social, psychological)? This class examines the big picture of human development to set the stage for future discussions on this topic.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Personal Spirituality: three approaches
Following up from the previous class, we will take a closer look at different kinds of intrapersonal spiritual development, or what is sometimes called personal spirituality. We will identify three distinct lines -- psychological, metaphysical, and religious -- and reflect on how they intermingle as we grow.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Traditional Christian Perspectives - part 1
From the earliest days of Christianity, patterns of spiritual growth were noted. In this class we will review some of these writings to better understand how our ancestors in the faith understood the Christian journey.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Traditional Christian Perspectives - part 2
Eventually, something of a consensus teaching on Christian growth emerged through the centuries. This was expressed in different ways by different teachings, the most common being purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways or stages. We will examine this understanding and its relevance to us today.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Eastern Systems and Approaches
The growing encounter between Christianity and Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism has brought to our awareness other understandings of spiritual development. In this class, we will review some of these Eastern perspectives to widen our own and to see how they are similar and different from the traditional perspectives on Christian spiritual growth discussed in previous classes.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Spiral Dynamics
This more recent approach to understanding human growth and development is based on the work of Clare W. Graves, a late-20th C. professor of psychology. His work was elaborated on by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan, who published Spiral Dynamics in 1996. We will review a DVD developed by Phil St. Romain that he created following a workshop he took with Don Beck in 2004.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Dark Nights of the Soul
The dark night of the soul has become an almost popular term these days. It actually goes back to the 16th century and St. John of the Cross. We’ll look briefly at what it might entail and how it is actually an ongoing process that characterizes our growth in the spiritual life.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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James Fowler's Stages of Faith
We will explore the evolution of images, beliefs, values and commitments that guide and give meaning to our lives. Fowler has delineated six stages on the journey of spiritual development. The application of these stages to spiritual direction is one of the challenges of today.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling OP |
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Ken Wilber's 4QAL
The writings of Ken Wilber are enormously popular in certain circles. Making use of Spiral Dynamics, Eastern approaches and traditional Western views on human development, he has articulated a vast and comprehensive understanding of human development and has influenced many contemporary spiritual writers. This class will serve as an introduction to his basic approach by reviewing his Four Quadrants, All Levels perspective.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Daniel Helminiak's Four Viewpoints
One of the great gifts of Daniel Helminiak is to explain the teachings of Bernard Lonergan, S.J., the great 20th C. philosopher-theologian. This class will review some of the basic contours of Lonergan’s approach with special emphasis on what Helminiak calls the four viewpoints or perspectives on reality.
- Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. |
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Check out
Discernment and Lifestyle
Purchase this course for $40 or use the links in the "Buy Class Only" column to buy individual presentations. Immediate online access to handouts, Real Audio and podcast links provided on response page after online credit card payment. If you prefer to pay by check, click here.
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Following Your Call
God made us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. That purpose is straining for fulfillment inside of us right now. Our inner call summons us to our purpose. If we pay attention to our inner call, our lives will be filled with meaning and purpose. If we ignore the call, our lives easily become marked with frustration and boredom. During this class we reflect on the importance of finding the place where our deep gladness and the world's hunger meet.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Principles of Discernment
We will overview St Ignatius’ “Rules for Discernment,” seeing how they are applicable in our everyday life as we are attentive to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
- Connie Burkholder, M. Div. |
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Models of Discernment
What does it mean to be a spiritually discerning person in our daily lives? We will overview some ways of practicing discernment for individuals and faith communities.
- Connie Burkholder, M. Div. |
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Monastic Spirituality
In the sixth century, a monk named Benedict devised a code of practical principles by which his community could live together and grow in the Christian spirit. Centuries later, this source of timeless wisdom continues to guide and nurture contemporary men and women who seek to live a balanced spirituality based on listening with the ear of one's heart.
- Sr. Joel Christoph OP |
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Mendicant Spirituality: Dominic and Francis
At the close of the 12th century, there was a deep hunger for a down to earth Christianity. Like a spark of electricity, the mendicants, particularly the Franciscans and the Dominicans responded. The hallmark of the 13th century spiritual renewal was the quest for a simple Christian life lived in poverty of spirit and in common with others for the sake of preaching the gospel. We will reflect on this movement in the light of what it has to say to our spiritual quest today.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Apostolic Spirituality
The word "apostle" means "to be sent." In this session, we will see that all spirituality focuses on the relationship between God (especially in the person of Jesus Christ) and the individual; however, apostolic spirituality will stress how this is carried into love of neighbor. We will examine how there is a flow between our personal relationship with Christ and our love of neighbor. Finally, we will explore how our prayer life can help us discern the best way to love our neighbor in a particular situation.
- Fr. Kerry Ninemire |
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Spiritual Charisms: what are they?
One way God carries out healing and restorative work in the world is through the spiritual gifts or charisms which we have been given. These charisms help us to meet the challenges of our church and world today by enabling us to see our selves, the church and the world in a new light.
- Sr. Jolene Geier OP |
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Spiritual Charisms: how do we use them?
Through a charism inventory and descriptions of clusters and patterns we can get a better grasp of our call to discipleship and move us to be true and daring apostles bearing witness to Christ in our families, our church and the world.
- Sr. Jolene Geier OP |
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Mission Statement: focusing one's priorities
One of the most powerful ways to cultivate purpose and vision is to create and live by a mission statement. If you have already written a mission statement, this can be an opportunity to revisit your current one. A mission statement represents the deepest and best within us and comes out of a solid connection to our inner life, fulfills our own unique gifts, and integrates the physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions. It is written to inspire oneself, not to impress anyone else. You will be guided through a process that will facilitate writing a mission statement.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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Rule of Life: act in accordance with what matters most
Today we review your Mission Statement in which you named what really matters most/ what is supremely important to you. We will be guided to translate this mission statement into an action plan considering one’s roles and naming one’s goals. We will include these personal developmental dimensions: physical, spiritual, mental and social/emotional. By balancing one’s life around one’s various roles and including all four personal dimensions, we harmonize our activities with our deepest values.
- Sr. Louise Hageman OP |
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