Research centre for mysticism and spirituality

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School of Spirituality

The Spiritual Process

School of SpiritualitySchool voor spiritualiteit

One of the research lines of the Titus Brandsma Institute concerns philosophical-theological research into the current meaning and relevance of the Christian spiritual and mystical tradition and religious life in contemporary society. In what way does spirituality take shape in the professional and social actions of the present time, in contemporary practices and in the context of social organisations? To answer this question, the TBI is developing an education and training program, which focuses on describing, understanding and guiding the spiritual process of people active in various social contexts. They can participate in the courses, lectures, and master classes of the School of Spirituality.

  1. Previously, the Titus Brandsma Institute organized the Spiritual Counseling course and the Social Spirituality course, among others, under the title of School of Spirituality. Although these programs have been discontinued as such, the Titus Brandsma Institute continues to offer the lectures given for these programs as part of the post-initial 2-year program in Spiritual Counseling, organized by the Protestant Theological University (PThU) in Amsterdam. The lecture series takes place in Nijmegen. The course Spiritual Counseling (refers to another website) is in Amsterdam.

Spiritual Themes

The School of Spirituality is for people (in organizations) who want to learn to discover, fathom and/or deepen their own spirituality. Describing, understanding, and guiding the spiritual process of people active in specific social contexts is done primarily on the basis of spiritual themes. Through the study of these themes, fruitful connections are made between the participants’ own experiences and the Christian religious traditions and schools of spirituality, such as those of the Benedictines, Cistercians, Carthusians, Franciscans, Carmelites and Modern Devout. The learning process thereby takes the form of a reciprocal relational event, a dialogical hermeneutic, and an inspiring interaction that allows for dialogue and contradiction with the traditions.

Our current themes are:

  • Dedication
  • Leadership
  • Creation

Spiritual Sources

Within the School of Spirituality, the spirituality of religious and mystical traditions is unlocked and made fruitful for the lived spirituality of individuals and groups in contemporary society. This is done in an accessible way and from different perspectives (historical-critical, hermeneutical-mystagogical, practical-theological). This interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to search together for the meaning of spiritual and mystical sources (authors, traditions, texts) as inspiration for one’s own life and practice and for the benefit of one’s own sense of purpose, identity, moral formation and life orientation. The philosophical-theological analysis is always at the service of one’s own lived, everyday spirituality and the meaning given to it.

Our current sources are:

  • Thomas a Kempis
  • Thomas Merton
  • Titus Brandsma

For more information, see Contact or mail:

  1. Edwin van der Zande, edwin.vanderzande@titusbrandsmainstituut.nl
  2. Krijn Pansters, krijn.pansters@titusbrandsmainstituut.nl
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