The Learning Lab
An experiential journey through the ancient wisdom of the beatitudes, The Ninefold Path was developed by Mark Scandrette, Danielle Welch and a global collective of practitioners. It was piloted in church contexts in USA & UK, with at-risk Youth in London, and in drug and alcohol recovery programs in California. It has been utilized in school chaplaincy programs in the U.K. and South Australia and has been enthusiastically received by leaders and churches in South Asia and East Africa. Members of the collective have facilitated events and training at festivals, pubs, churches and schools on four continents. This multifaceted yet simple, practical approach has changed hearts and lives across language, location and culture.
The Learning Lab format is really simple: get together with a small group of others; use the Ninefold Path notebook or films to reflect on one of the nine beats; agree to put that beat into practice through some intentional practices, for at least a week; reflect back together on your experience.
“The combination of group and individual practice … has been a transformative experience for our community of faith.” – Rev Vince Anderson, Citylights Community, NYC
We have found these practices to be liberating – helping us to experiment, take risks, and try on new ways of thinking and doing. These NINE BEATS speak to us about empire and power, and how we might really change the world. They whisper to us about our inner selves and our daily habits. They invite us to a way of trust, lament, humility, justice, compassion, right motive, peace-making, surrender, and radical love. Check out the Learning Lab Guide, the Notebook, and the Ninefold Path films to get started.
“The Ninefold Path helps us see Jesus in a new light. Where Christianity arrive to tell us the ‘correct’ thing to think, the Ninefold Path helps us to see the way Jesus wants us to live. For us Aboriginals, that’s a much more powerful understanding of faith and practice.” – Auntie Denise, Christian leader, South Australia