The School for Contemplative Living

Creating contemplative communities who practice the presence of God for personal transformation and compassionate service with the world.

We offer Compassion Cultivation Training classes with a wide range of persons across the globe, from men returning to society from the Angola State Prison to healthcare workers, from educators to clergy, and from psychotherapists to retired volunteers. We offer weekly and monthly classes and contemplative practice groups, like our contemplative justice group, to help participants ground their justice work and service in the world. We offer workshops, retreats, and an annual conference to deepen participant's personal, spiritual, and emotional growth. Our fundamental work is spiritual education to support compassionate service. An example is our most recent annual conference, "Fiercely Loving Ourselves and Others: A Conversation Where Contemplation and Compassion Meet," with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes, and Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown as presenters.

Testimonials

The SCL has become my spiritual community since I left formal religion behind. Liz
I come for inspiration with the SCL community to keep going in my work as a judge. It's like my church. Lauren
Beginning with contemplative practices and then studying authors like Father Greg Boyle who live Love in the world motivates me to small acts of kindness. Beth
I am launching a contemplative group for younger adults because I want a community of spiritual seekers like me. Laura
I lead a weekly group called Yoga as Prayer to practice embodying our spirituality. Susan