The Breathing Under Water online course is a multi-faceted educational opportunity. The intention of the study and commentary is to delve deeper into Fr. Richard's book Breathing Under Water and expand your understanding of the Twelve Steps and their relationship with spirituality. The study will focus on exploring themes each week to facilitate fuller engagement, personally and collaboratively, with Fr. Richard's book.
Throughout the fourteen week course you will find reflections, expanded commentary, and links to articles and multimedia—including exclusive teachings from Fr. Richard.
Welcome to Breathing Under Water
- Letter of Introduction from Fr. Richard
- Course Overview
- Table of Contents
- Course Navigation Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions & Course Navigation Primer
- Pre-Course Work and Readings
- (1) Teaching by Father Richard
- (2) Contemplative Practice
- Pre-Course Assignments
- Pre-Course Discussion
Introduction
- Introduction Overview
- Coursework and Assignments
- (1) Connecting the Gospels and the Twelve Steps
- (1a) Sin and Addiction as a Disease
- (1b) Practiced Truth
- (1c) Worthiness
- (2) A Vital Spiritual Experience
- (3) The Four Assumptions
- (3a) Unpacking the Four Assumptions
- (3b) Journal Reflection
- (4) Reality: Friend or Foe?
- Introduction to Contemplative Practice
- Introduction Assignments
- Introduction Discussion
Chapter 1: Powerlessness
- Chapter 1 Overview
- Coursework and Assignments
- (1) Failure
- (1a) Failure's Legacy
- (2) Ego and Soul
- (2a) Ego
- (2b) Soul
- (3) Teaching from Fr. Richard
- Chapter 1 Assignments
- Chapter 1 Discussion
Chapter 2: Desperate Desiring
- Chapter 2 Overview
- Coursework and Assignments
- (1) The Three Inner Spaces
- (1a) The Banquet
- (2) Mind Space
- (3) Heart Space
- (4) Body Space
- (5) Reconnection
- (6) Chapter 2 Contemplative Practice
- Chapter 2 Assignments
- Chapter 2 Discussion
Chapter 3: Sweet Surrender
- Chapter 3 Overview
- Coursework and Assignments
- (1) Sweet Surrender
- (1a) Surrendering Your Program for Happiness
- (2) The Myth of the Heroic Sacrifice
- (2a) Codependency
- (3) Teaching on Holiness from Fr. Richard
- (4) Meritocracy
- (4a) Grace and Unearned Love
- (5) "As We Understand God"
- (5a) Merciful God
- Chapter 3 Assignments
- Chapter 3 Discussion
Chapter 4: A Good Lamp
- Chapter 4 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) An Honest Task
- (1a) Sin is a Great Teacher?
- (2) Luminosity of Awareness
- (3) Shadow Boxing
- (3a) Chapter 4 Contemplative Practice
- (3b) The Shadow
- (4) If Your Eye is Sound
- Chapter 4 Assignments
- Chapter 4 Discussion
Chapter 5: Accountability IS Sustainability
- Chapter 5 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- Exclusive Richard Rohr Interview
- (1) Where We Are
- (2) Restorative Justice
- (3) God's Economy of Grace
- (4) Confession and Accountability
- (5) Responsibility Through Humility
- Chapter 5 Assignments
- Chapter 5 Discussion
Chapter 6: The Chicken or the Egg: Which Comes First?
- Chapter 6 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) Grace or Responsibility?
- (1a) Audio Teaching from Fr. Richard
- (2) Another Step Toward Humility
- (3) Transformation
- (3a) Contemplative Practice
- (4) Catching the Wild Ass
- (4a) Journal Reflection
- Chapter 6 Assignments
- Chapter 6 Discussion
Chapter 7: Why Do We Need to Ask?
- Chapter 7 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) Why Pray?
- (1a) A Reflection on Prayer
- (2) Entitlement and Humility
- (2a) Contemplative Practice
- (3) Interpersonal Relationships
- (4) Truth Becomes a State of Being
- (5) Humble Beggars
- (6) Spiritual Desire in Life
- Chapter 7 Assignments
- Chapter 7 Discussion
Chapter 8: Payback Time
- Chapter 8 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) Willing to Make Amends
- (2) Preparation for Reunion
- (3) Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- (3a) Nonviolent Communication
- (4) Make a List
- (5) Became Willing
- (6) A Slow Softening
- Chapter 8 Assignments
- Chapter 8 Discussion
Chapter 9: Skillful Means
- Chapter 9 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- The Second Exclusive Richard Rohr Interview
- (1) Wisdom of Jesus
- (2) Face-to-Face Encounters
- (2a) Practicing Skillful Means
- (3) Skillful Means in Cultural Tendencies
- (4) Truth-Telling
- (4a) Contemplative Practice
- Chapter 9 Assignments
- Chapter 9 Discussion
Chapter 10: Is This Overkill?
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) Expanding Awareness
- (2) Audio Teaching from Fr. Richard
- (3) Detachment
- (3a) The Practice of Detachment
- (4) The Inner Witness
- (4a) Participating in the Spirit
- (5) Contemplative Practice
- (6) Inherent Divine Dignity
- Chapter 10 Assignments
- Chapter 10 Discussion
Chapter 11: An Alternative Mind
- Chapter 11 Overview
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) Returning the Divine Gaze
- (2) Processing Life
- (3) Of Two Minds
- (3a) The Contemplative Mind
- (4) The Teachings of Jesus
- (5) Conscious Contact with God
- Chapter 11 Assignments
- Chapter 11 Discussion
Chapter 12: What Comes Around Goes Around
- Chapter 12 Overview
- Coursework and Readings.
- (1) Attraction
- (2) Lifestyle Christianity
- (3) Breathing In. . .Breathing Out. . .
- (4) A Vital Spiritual Experience
- (5) Grounded in Love
- (6) Frustrated Desires
- (7) Contemplative Practice
- Chapter 12 Assignments
- Chapter 12 Discussion
An Unexpected Postscript: Only a Suffering God Can Save
- Coursework and Readings
- (1) The Crack That Lets the Light In
- (2) Crucified God
- (3) The Continual Exchange
- (4) Suffering and Compassion
- (5) The Cosmic Narrative
- (6) Tragic Beauty
- Postscript Assignments
- Postscript Discussion
Resources and Additional Readings
- Letter of Introduction
- The Twelve Step Program as Coded Gospel
- Living Ourselves into a New Way of Thinking
- Is Green A Christian Position?
- Acceptance Was The Answer
- Solitude is not Separation
- Cheap Religion Is Worse Than No Religion
- The Day of Big Paradox
- Persons Transform Persons
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