One Spirit Workshops in Essential Spirituality

08-802 You Can Heal Your Life: Healing from Religious & Spiritual Injury
with Rev. Joyce Liechenstein, Ph.D.

Monday evenings, April 27, May 4, 11 & 18
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
$125 Public, $95 OSIS Students
OSIS Credit Value: 1

Distance Learning Available (click to learn more)

This course seeks to explore the harm and spiritual injury caused when the intention to exclude and a belief in the illusion of separation is justified by narrow, literalistic interpretations of certain verses in the world’s scriptures. Throughout the ages, mystic wisdom of all great traditions has been co-opted by various organizations, sometimes to the degree that religious dogma occludes the true nature of its prophets’ intentions. Even in our times, some are so injured by certain teachings of religious institutions that they feel the only resolution is suicide. Others are left feeling unworthy, ashamed, guilty and suffering enormous pain. Some leave the faith of their origin, and many remain in unhealthy socio-religious cultures out of fear of retribution from others, or even God.

Students explore how people find healing from these hurtful messages and reconciliation with Spirit. Building upon these learnings and set upon their own healing journeys, the class explores how to be instruments of healing for others as well. This class will include the viewing and discussion of several films, including For The Bible Tells Me So, You Can Heal Your Life and Jesus Camp. Participants will share personal journeys of recovery from false teachings as well as process difficulties that continue to be a struggle.

Course readings will include excerpts from
• The Good Book by Peter Gomes
• The Gospel of Inclusion by Bishop Pearson
• God’s Problem by Bart Ehrman

Rev. Dr. Joyce Liechenstein, PhD, Associate Director of One Spirit Spirit Interfaith Seminary and One Spirit Learning Alliance, has a private counseling and supervision practice and over thirty-five years experience as a minister, counselor, meditation teacher, and director of religious education. Rev. Dr. Liechenstein holds a Master's Degree in Religious Education from New York Theological Seminary, received her Ph.D. in therapeutic counseling, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York, and worked in Human Rights for the City of New York for close to thirty years. She has an extraordinary knowledge of the scriptures of many faiths, an infectious enthusiasm, and a personal presence that embodies universal love in a way that invites everyone she meets to open their hearts and embrace their life more fully. As a gay person, Joyce has had her own journey of recovering from religious injury.