Following the Beginner Program participants often seek to continue their study of Carmelite Spirituality in a group setting. Short of becoming a Secular Carmelite, either a Friends of Carmel group or a Book study provide the participant an ideal opportunity to deepen their understanding of Carmel and their practice of Carmelite or Silent Prayer. It is of course not necessary to have completed the Beginner program to participate in a Friends of Carmel group or a Book study.
The format is the same as in the Beginner program. In other words, each meeting has three parts: a small group discussion; a teaching not to exceed 30 minutes; and, a silent prayer workshop together as a group. Experience has shown that starting the session with the group discussion, rather than the presentation, puts participants more quickly at ease and fosters group cohesion, important for participants to want to share their personal prayer testimony with one another in group.
Participants are called to experience a progression in their journey. Initially, a daily period of ten minutes of silent prayer is encouraged. This time is gradually increased each week to arrive at 20-25 minutes daily by the end of the class.
