Fire and Light:
Week Three: Practice and Practical Applications


The mystics are channels through which a little knowledge of reality filters down into our human universe of ignorance and illusion. A totally unmystical world would be a world totally blind and insane.

Aldous Huxley

11. Monday, November 14: Travel Day

  • Noon: Depart from Armstrong (eat lunch before departure)
  • 4:00 pm: Arrive Crestone; Settle into rooms
  • 6 p.m.: Dinner at Desert Sage
  • 7:30 p.m.—Film: “Teresa de Jesús” 1

Reading today:

  • Egan: Teresa of Avila, pp. 436-441; John of the Cross, pp. 452-465

12. Tuesday, November 14: Carmelite Mysticism

  • Quiet Eye Reflections 8
  • Lecture: Carmelite Mysticism: The Yin-Yang of Carmel
  • 11:30: Bag lunch and trip to Sand Dunes National Park
  • 7:30 p.m.—Film: “Teresa de Jesús” 2

Reading this afternoon:

  • Review Hadewijch, Mechtild, Jacopone, and John of the Cross

13. Wednesday, November 15: Mysticism, Poetry and Prayer

  • Quiet Eye Reflections 9
  • Lecture and writing exercise: Prayer and Poetry
  • Dialogue 9: Hadewijch, Mechtild, Jacopone and John of the Cross
  • 1:30-4:00 pm: Visit the Hogan and al-Hadiyah
  • 7:30 p.m.—Film: “Teresa de Jesús” 3

14. Thursday, November 16: Spiritual Practices

  • Quiet Eye Reflections 10
  • Chart of Spiritual Practices
  • Interreligious dialogue and the Desert Foundation
  • Discuss final paper
  • 7:30 p.m.—Film: “Teresa de Jesús” 4

15. Friday, November 17: Favorite Mystics

  • FINAL CLASS/FAREWELLS
  • Discussion: Who is your favorite mystic and why?
  • Clean rooms, pack, bag lunch, depart for Colorado Springs

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