12 Step Spirituality: Every Person’s Guide to Taking the Twelve Steps

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CHRISTIANITY
SERIES

7 days free, then $2.99/month

Deeply rooted in Christian tradition, the 12-step program blends the best of spirituality with the best of modern psychology. Addiction recovery is only one manifestation of its utility. Under the guidance of Fr. Anthony Ciorra, you will come to see how the 12 steps apply to surprising areas of your life. A renowned author, professor, and spirituality expert and recipient of the pontifical honor "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" given by Pope John Paul II, Fr. Ciorra guides you on a transformative journey towards freedom. You will deepen your spirituality as you develop a richer understanding of his profound approach to the 12 steps as a course of action. You're probably acquainted with the first twelve-step fellowship founded in the 1930s: Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. But in this 12-lecture program, Fr. Ciorra shows you that the same principles apply to you regardless of your spiritual tradition or individual makeup. You will look to role models such as John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Augustine—all of whom similarly struggled with but ultimately overcame their dark nights of the soul. In addition to their extraordinary examples, you will also explore samples of moving poetry that will help you stretch yourself spirituality. Sometimes described as a journey from your head to your heart, the 12-step program is truly a life-giving spiritual approach for everyone. By fully realizing the power of the spirituality behind the 12 steps, you will discover a peace in your heart that the world cannot give. Attain your own happiness now. This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide prepared by your professor and course producer.

12 Episodes

Internationally best-selling author, renowned professor, and the "dean of American Catholic Historians," Fr. John O'Malley presents his monumental course on the papacy. This masterpiece series covers the most fascinating history in the Western world. Now you can trace the amazing history of the papacy, the oldest still-functioning institution of any kind in the Western world, in 36 erudite lectures. By focusing on popes that shaped vital moments in global history, you will gain a deep understanding of the people, issues, and ideas that gave us the Catholic church and our world. The story features both trouble and triumph—and Fr. O'Malley deftly tackles both aspects—but above all, it tells of resilience. You will be enthralled as you listen to Fr. O'Malley explains how pope after pope responded to challenges from barbarians, "Christian" monarchs, disgruntled bishops, and, above all, the faults and failures of human nature in order to guide Peter's bark through the rugged seas of time.

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HISTORY
This course will have a profound impact on your faith and thinking. Thomas Aquinas, OP (1225-1274), is one of world history's most influential thinkers. His works indelibly shaped Western thought and Christian belief, and his brilliant ideas continue to resonate in universities and churches everywhere. But his complex thought can often seem inaccessible. In this superb course, taught by an internationally known Aquinas expert, you will tour his towering thought while gaining powerful insights into your faith and values. You will cover his ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophical theology. Under Prof. Stump's guidance, you will see the world through his eyes. You will begin with an introduction to Aquinas' ethics in order to explore his views on human flourishing and morality. Then you will gain tremendous insights into his metaphysics, which engage with the nature of ultimate reality, God's eternity, and much more. After looking at his philosophy of free will, you will explore his epistemology. Finally, you will encounter his complex and fascinating philosophical theology. Along the way Prof. Stump will guide you through complex philosophical concepts with deft and easy-to-understand teaching. Although he died young, it is impossible to overestimate Aquinas' influence on Western philosophy. His thought remains as relevant today as ever. You don't want to miss this enlightening journey through the thought of one of the great intellectual giants of the Christian tradition.

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CHRISTIANITY
How do you find God? When your soul longs for the spiritual, how do you find the time to turn within? Now, this profound series invites you to look to the contemplative tradition for inspiration and answers. Prayer is one of the most essential acts of the Christian life. In this spiritually edifying 24-lecture series, you will join celebrated author and Pauline sister Kathryn James Hermes, F.S.P., in exploring the tradition of contemplative prayer. Regardless of your level of experience, you will find nourishment in this unique series. Sr. Hermes weaves together various strands of Christian living into a tapestry of spiritual development and Christian maturity. In these presentations, you will find new horizons of contemplative living in today's society. You will explore a variety of practical teachings on contemplative prayer from saints and the Catholic tradition that will help you develop your own spiritual life. You will explore what the ancient mystical tradition of the Church means today in our ever-changing world. You will also learn how to avoid the pitfalls of merely tacking prayer onto your routine, or being too busy for prayer altogether. Instead, you will find paths to inner peace when your heart needs healing. This is a truly essential course for all Christians wishing to live prayerfully.

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CHRISTIANITY
Join Thomas Merton in exploring one of the most influential figures in the history of spirituality. Delivered in 1962 to the novices at Merton's monastery, these talks allow you to hear his voice and experience his powerful teaching. Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (A.D. 360 – 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide. These remastered recordings of his lectures give you the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian's philosophy of prayer with Thomas Merton as your guide. A teacher par excellence, Merton breathes new life into ancient texts as he passes tradition onto novices. Merton's conferences are not didactic presentations about Cassian's teachings but meaningful applications of them to the modern world. Cassian integrated Eastern monasticism into Western thought, and his Conferences provide the principles of monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue and his examination of the "prayer of fire" as the goal of contemplation. Merton guides you through these topics and more in his captivating talks. You will discover why the mysticism of John Cassian is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community alike. These conferences will inspire you as you explore your own spiritual life. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.

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CHRISTIANITY
Explore the Fourth Gospel with one of Catholicism's leading biblical scholars. From the time of its first appearance, the Gospel of John has gripped the imagination and the hearts of Christians. Composed towards the latter part of the first century, the so-called "Spiritual Gospel" presents a compelling and distinctive portrait of Jesus and His mission. Now you can explore this powerful portrayal of Jesus with Rev. Donald Senior, one of the world's top biblical scholars, as your personal teacher. You will explore the remarkable philosophical and theological understanding John kindled. Inspiring and beautifully written, the Gospel of John will move you to encounter the Word of God anew. John the Evangelist paints a powerful portrait of Jesus Christ. Distinctive from the synoptic gospels in both style and substance, John reflects a unique type of Jewish literature and contains perhaps the most developed theology in the New Testament. As you move through its powerful Christological themes, you will truly see Jesus as the incarnate Word of God. Throughout the millennia, mystics and ordinary Christian disciples have been drawn to this gospel. It expresses, in powerful words and symbols, the heart of Christian faith: that in Jesus the eternal Word of God has become incarnate. In contemplating the person of Jesus, the Risen Christ, the disciple encounters the human face of God. Encounter the Word of God in the Gospel of John today.

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COURSES
In this brilliantly taught course, you will explore the theology and practice of the Catholic Mass with one of the world's leading liturgical professors as your guide. Catholics believe that every time they gather to celebrate, they are acting in obedience to Jesus' command to ""do this in memory of me. "" Catholics have obeyed this command for nearly two thousand years, and now you can explore anew the spiritual and theological meaning of this vital celebration. Your guide is Fr. John Baldovin, S.J. (Ph.D. Yale), a celebrated professor of liturgical theology at Boston College and past president of the Past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy. Under his guidance, you will gain powerful answers to the most important questions about the Mass: -How did Vatican II influence Eucharistic Liturgy? -How does what we celebrate today find its roots in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Lord? -How has the celebration of the Mass developed over the centuries? How were the Scripture passages used in the Sunday lectionary chosen? -What language and ritual gestures are suitable for our celebrations? -How does the Mass unite us to the Lord and to one another? -How does it participate in the Paschal Mystery? What is the meaning of transubstantiation? Fr. Baldovin answers these and many more questions. Anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the Liturgy of the Eucharist will treasure this course.

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CHRISTIANITY