Past Online Oasis Events
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A Path to Freedom: Moving from the False Self to our True Self in God
You’ve probably heard the terms false self and true self—but what do they really mean for our spiritual journey? While Thomas Merton helped bring these words into common use, the ideas behind them are deeply rooted in historic Christian spirituality. At its core, spiritual transformation is about letting go of the false self—shaped by fear and striving—and discovering the freedom of living as our true self in Christ.
In this Online Oasis we will:
- Clarify what we mean when referring to the false self and true self
- Explore the movement from the false self to the true self, with reflections on several characters from Scripture
- Identify key spiritual practices that open us to this grace
- Slow down and enter into space for reflection
What’s Not Working? Transitions in the Life of Prayer
Drawing on her own journey, her experiences as a spiritual director and the practices of the Christian tradition, Ruth will:
- Create space for being honest about what’s working and what’s not working in your own prayer life
- Provide inspiration and guidance for saying yes to God’s invitation to deeper intimacy in prayer
- Explore why wordless prayer is not a failure, but a doorway
Spiritual Direction: An Essential Practice for Transforming Leaders
Discover why spiritual direction is an essential practice for leaders and how to find a director.
In this online event lead by Ruth Haley Barton, you will...
- Learn what distinguishes spiritual direction from counseling, coaching, mentoring, and discipling.
- Discover what to look for in a spiritual director and how to begin searching for the right director for you.
- Assess your readiness for spiritual direction OR assess when it might be time for a change regarding your current director.
- Reflect on obstacles and resistance to spiritual direction.
When the Road Gets Dark and Dim: Navigating the Dark Night, Depression, and Grief on the Spiritual Journey
Dr. Bob Watson, a licensed clinical psychologist who teaches in our Transforming Community experience, joins Ruth to explore the differences and the overlaps between the dark night of the soul, depression, and grief.
Whether you are wondering for yourself, for someone you love, or someone you are accompanying, this conversation will...
- Equip you to discern what is really going on.
- Help you learn how to welcome God’s presence into each of these aspects of the spiritual journey.
- Guide you in identifying the appropriate resources for each of these experiences.
Recalibrate: Arrange your Life for Spiritual Transformation
We all have a rule of life whether we realize it or not—a pattern of habits, practices, relationships and priorities that shape us over time. The only question is whether it is intentional enough towards what we most deeply want for ourselves and others.
A rule of life provides structure that enables us to arrange our lives for what we say we really want. It responds to these two questions: “Who do I want to be? How do I want to live?” and “How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?”
If you don’t have a rule of life, you will receive guidance for how to create one. If you do have a rule of life, this will be an opportunity to re-assess and make adjustments for the season ahead.