Course Description

A 10-week online course exploring the True Self and the False Self, based on Richard Rohr’s book, Immortal Diamond. Learn to “die before we die” and discover how the promise of resurrection is true for each of us—right now.

Immortal Diamond is an opportunity to mine for the real you that has been there all along, hidden under the trappings of ego and False Self.

As Richard Rohr writes, “Life is not a matter of creating a special name for ourselves, but of uncovering the name we have always had.” We need ego to help us function, succeed, and belong. But if we let it stay in charge, ego stands in the way of living freely and authentically, from our God-given identity and calling. We are called to “die before we die,” to discover that the promise of resurrection is true for each of us, now.

This course will deepen your understanding of the True Self, what it means to die before you die, resurrection, and the transformative journey. Rediscover your forgotten Self that can never be destroyed—only transformed to live in eternal Love.

Learning Objectives

• Discover a vision of your True Self through reading, reflection and engagement with Fr. Richard’s book, Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self
• Deepen your enjoyment of divine friendship by opening spaces for God’s love and life to flow through you
• Develop contemplative practice(s) to form the alternative consciousness on the path toward spiritual maturity
• Connect and learn with other spiritual seekers

Course Details

Immortal Diamond is a 10-week online course. Students should expect to invest 4–6 hours of work each week on course material, reading assignments, online discussions with other students, and time for personal reflection.

• This course is taught in English.
• There are no pre-requisites for this course.
• Learn more about the technical requirements for taking this course.

Students will have access to course content for the duration of the course. Course content will be available one week after the course ends, or until Midnight (MT) on the Tuesday following the course end date.

Required Materials

A copy of Richard Rohr’s book Immortal Diamond is required reading for this course (not included in course registration).

Financial Assistance

To apply for financial assistance, please complete the online Financial Assistance Form at least 1 week before registration is scheduled to close. Please do not register for the online course until your request for financial assistance has been processed.

Course Overview

Each week students will explore a new topic of study through teaching material, reflections, student discussions, contemplative practice, and supplemental articles and multimedia—including exclusive teachings from Fr. Richard. 

Coursework includes weekly reading assignments, discussions, journaling reflections, and contemplative practice. Contemplative practices are designed to help you break down the dualistic walls separating education from practice and are not meant to substitute for your regular contemplative practice. Students can progress through each week at their own pace.

Outline

• Week 1 — Course Overview & Pre-Course Work
  Prepare yourself for the course and get a feel for the lessons and functions that follow.

• Week 2 — Invitation and Preface
  By the end of this lesson, you will be able to see why Fr. Richard wrote this book and perceive the open invitation to be in deeper touch with your True Self.

• Week 3 — Chapter 1: What Is “The True Self”?
  Explore and unpack “What is ‘The True Self’?” and gain a better understanding of what Fr. Richard means by the True Self and its importance in your life.

• Week 4 — What Is “The False Self”?
  You will gain a better understanding of what Fr. Richard means by the False Self and the role that it plays in your life.

• Week 5 — What Dies and Who Lives? & Chapter 4: The Knife Edge of Experience
  By the end of this lesson, you will gain a better understanding of the transformative process of recognizing and experiencing your False Self and the emergence of your True Self.

• Week 6 — Thou Art That
  Continue your journey with Fr. Richard into understanding your True Self.

• Week 7 — If It Is True, It Is True Everywhere
  Learn why we resist union and the necessary suffering we go through to resurrect into the fullness of our True Self.

• Week 8 — Enlightenment at Gunpoint
  Through the video teachings, Contemplative Practice, and a recorded interview with Fr. Richard, you will continue to see how the Franciscan Way can be integrated into your daily life.

• Week 9 — Intimate with Everything
  You will explore Chapter 8, Intimate with Everything, of Immortal Diamond, and will see the importance that risk plays in Divine and human intimacy.

• Week 10 — Love Is Stronger Than Death
  You will have greater insight into the ways that your True Self has always been present and inspiring you on the transformative journey.