THE
CONTEMPLATIVE SUMMIT
Join the world's largest contemplative gathering—and find support on your path to wholeness and divine union.
REGISTER FOR FREE!
This September, we invite you to stretch your heart wide open—together with over 15,000+ other contemplatives.
In bewildering times, our natural inclination is to constrict, fold in, protect, numb.
But what if we could soften instead of shut down?
What if there were a way—in safety—to stretch our hearts open to receive all of reality?
What if we could make space in our hearts for joy and for pain;
for our kinfolk of every persuasion, shape, and species;
for stillness,
for courage,
for awe—
for death, and for fullness of life?
Guided by 40+ leading contemplative voices from diverse traditions, we’ll reflect on questions like:
◆ What can holy texts (the Bible, Qur’an, the Earth, our own bodies)—teach us about holding suffering with love?
◆ Where does the contemplative path meet the cry for justice?
◆ Why might wonder and uncertainty be indicators of spiritual growth?
◆ Who are some surprising guides during these times? (from forgotten mystics to your own shadow)
◆ What does spiritual practice look like for those who are neurodivergent or differently abled?
◆ What kinds of disciplines are we called to in this moment? (Rest? Rage? Release?)
Join us for the Contemplative Summit—where we’ll breathe, rest, listen, and stretch open toward a Love that receives and embraces all.
What People Have Been Saying
"Life-giving, nourishing, and a deeply spiritual experience."
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"I would just like to express my deep, deep gratitude for what you have provided for me (and others) over the last few days through the Contemplative Summit. It has been absolutely WONDERFUL. I have found it life-giving, nourishing, informative, enriching and a deeply spiritual experience."
- Marie O' Donovan
"The best summit I have ever attended."
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"I want to thank you for one of the best summits I have attended ever- The Contemplative Summit. Each and every session was full and rich and I have been immensely blessed."
- Rev. Dr. Zoleka Adams
"I am filled to overflowing."
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"I have been blessed beyond all expectations. I listened to Matthew three times and took notes. I didn't want to forget the grace he planted in my soul.
I thought your words as you interviewed were as powerful as your guests.
I am filled to overflowing."
- Lorraine Coscia-Ackerman
IS THIS YOU?
If you are a:
- Contemplative
- Seeker
- Deep Diver
- Mystic Misfit
--this Summit is for you!
DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Learn a new contemplative practice each day guided by a variety of teachers. Take these new spiritual tools with you!
WORLD RENOWNED TEACHERS
Learn from world-class contemplative teachers, authors, monks, spiritual directors, and fellow explorers.
LIVE SMALL GROUPS
Meet kindred spirits in the daily deepening circles! Join a small group of 4 other people to steep in the wisdom shared.
WATCH ON YOUR SCHEDULE
Miss a session? Recordings will be available for 48 hours following each session. Want to take your time to simmer in the wisdom? Purchase lifetime access to the whole library!
RICH INTERSPIRITUAL
EXPERIENCES
Immerse yourself in a wide variety of wisdom traditions, from Carmelite to Ignatian, Sufi to Buddhist--and more!
40 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
Clergy and other professionals can earn 40 CEU's upon completion of the summit. Enrich your ministry or career!
MEET THE SPEAKERS
PARKER PALMER
Best-selling Author & Award-Winning Teacher
JACQUI LEWIS
Author, Activist, Theologian, Justice Architect
GREG BOYLE
Jesuit Priest & Award-Winning Founder of Homeboy Industries
KATHLEEN NORRIS
Bestselling Author of Dakota & The Cloister Walk
CHRISTINE VALTERS PAINTNER
Abbess of Abbey of the Arts & Best-Selling Author
ALEXANDER JOHN SHAIA
Jungian Theologian and Founder of Quadratos
CARMEN ACEVEDO BUTCHER
Author, Teacher, & Award-Winning Translator of Mystics
MATTHEW FOX
Creation Spirituality Pioneer & Author of Original Blessing
SISTER VASSA LARIN
Orthodox Scholar & Host of "Coffee with Sr. Vassa"
CYPRIAN CONSIGLIO
Camaldolese Monk & Vatican Secretary of Interreligious Monastic Dialogue
ESTELLE FRANKEL
Jewish Mysticism Teacher, Psychotherapist, & Author
CARL MCCOLMAN
Author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism & Lay Cistercian
JAMAL RAHMAN
Sufi Imam, Interfaith Minister, & Author
CONNIE ZWEIG
Jungian Therapist & Founder of the Center for Shadow Work
WIL HERNANDEZ
Spiritual Director & Key Promoter of Henri Nouwen’s Legacy
ANGELA HOOKS
Interdisciplinary Writer, Preacher, & Creative Speaker
JUSTIN COUTTS
Celtic-Contemplative Writer & Founder of New Eden Ministries
JOHN DEAR
World-Renowned Nonviolence Activist & Catholic Priest
CINDY LEE
Spiritual Director & Author De‑Westernizing Spiritual Formation
VICTORIA LOORZ
Eco-Spiritual Director & Founder of the Wild Church Network
SARAH BACHELARD
Theologian & Priest Bringing Contemplation to Parish Life
MEGAN MCKENNA
Catholic Theologian, Storyteller, & Social Justice Organizer
SEIFU ANIL SINGH-MOLARES
Zen Priest & Executive Director of Spiritual Directors International
BRENDA BERTRAND
Spiritual Companion, Retreat Guide, Pilgrim
FELICIA MURELL
Spiritual Director, Former Pastor & Author of AND
SIMON DE VOIL
Sacred Musician, Interspiritual Minister, Celtic Bard
HARPINDER KUAR MANN
Yoga Educator, Author, Lineage-Based Healer
AC SEIPLE
Eco-therapist, Contemplative Retreat Leader & Author
TREY CLARK
Professor, Preacher, Contemplative, Companion
LAURIE BROCK
Priest, Storyteller, & Author of Souvenirs of the Holy
HEATHER HEALY
Sacred Singer, Movement Teacher, Yogi, Priestess
KIRK BYRON JONES
Pastor & Educator of Rest, Joy, and Holy Play
MIKE MORRELL
Spiritual Writer & Self-Proclaimed "Spiritual Weirdo"
RICHARD BECK
Psychologist, Theologian, Author, Joy-Seeker
PETER TRABEN HAAS
Contemplative Pastor, Author & Retreat Leader
ERIC ELNES
Spiritual Adventurer, Renegade Minister, Author, Speaker
SUMMIT CO-HOSTS
KELLY DEUTSCH
Contemplative Teacher & Director of Spiritual Wanderlust
KEN HOOD
Poet, Coach, & Spiritual Director at Spiritual Wanderlust
ANGELA HOOKS
Writer, Preacher & Spiritual Director at Spiritual Wanderlust
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
| Jamal Rahman Laughter, Suffering, Growth & Friendship in the Sufi Tradition |
| Jacqueline Lewis Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness |
| Trey Clark The Inner Life of the Contemplative Preacher |
| Felicia Murrell What Is the Most Loving Thing I Can Do Right Now? |
| Angela Hooks [Practice] The Sacred Diary: Writing as a Spiritual Practice |
| Laurie Brock The Spiritual Gift of Waiting |
| Victoria Loorz When Nature Becomes Church |
| Fr. Greg Boyle Tenderness: Peak Spiritual Maturity |
| Megan McKenna The Poor Save Us |
| Cyprian Consiglio Prayer Without Borders: A Modern Monk’s Reflections |
| Kathleen Norris The Hidden Lives We Miss: Disability, Death, and True Community |
| Connie Zweig Why the World Needs Your Shadow Work |
| Wil Hernandez The Courage to Be Human: The Spirituality of Henri Nouwen |
| Discussion Groups |
| Mike Morrell When Faith Falls Apart: Composting Belief into Transformation |
| Sister Vassa Larin 3 Hidden Treasures of Eastern Orthodoxy |
| Estelle Frankel The Wisdom of Not Knowing |
| Omid Safi Session Title Coming Soon! |
| Kirk Byron Jones Rest as Sacred Resistance |
| Heather Healy [Somatic Practice] Awakening the Body, Spirit, and Soul |
| Sarah Bachelard God’s Hiddenness & the Cross, |
| Discussion groups |
| Carl McColman Read the Bible Like a Mystic |
| Peter Traben Haas Centering, Abiding, and Radiating |
| Eric Elnes [Practice] 4 Bows |
| Cindy Lee From Me to We: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation |
| Justin Coutts The Soul of a Sandpiper: Christian Animism Today |
| Christine Valters Paintner From Grasping to Receiving: Desert Wisdom for Modern Seekers |
| Richard Beck The Shape of Joy: Spirituality and Well-Being in a Troubled World |
| AC Seiple Neurodivergent Spiritual Practice |
| Matthew Fox The 4 Paths of the Mystic |
| Carmen Acevedo Butcher Where Wounds Become Jewels: Hildegard’s Healing Theology |
| Alexander John Shaia The Hidden Power of Cataphatic Prayer |
| Fr. John Dear Our God is Nonviolent |
| Parker Palmer On the Brink of Everything: Aging, Heartbreak, & Hope |
| Brenda Bertrand Sacred Next: Moving Beyond Fear, Doubt, and Distraction |
| Simon de Voil [Practice] Music, Meditation, and the Mysteries of Creation |
| Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares The Sacred Art of Walking With Others Through Death and Grief |
| Harpinder Kaur Mann Beyond the Mat: Yoga as Liberation and Healing |
| Discussion Groups |
Learn from 40+ contemplative teachers from a variety of traditions!
Register now to receive immediate access to:
🎁 A free 90-minute webinar with bestselling author Connie Zweig: Creativity & Shadow-work: Opening the Portal to the Creative Unconscious—an experiential dive into the hidden parts of yourself that hold power and insight.
🎁 A free video reflection from Ronald Rolheiser: Turning Aging into a Spiritual Practice—discover how growing older can become a sacred journey of surrender and wisdom.
🎁 A special concert recorded live at the sacred Iona Abbey with Simon de Voil—let the music become your prayer.
🎁 A free download of Moving from Either/Or to And by Felicia Murrell—expand your inner spaciousness and embrace the fullness of paradox.
🎁 A video teaching with former Buddhist nun Kaira Jewel Lingo: Disruption, Embodiment, & Healing—an invitation to slow down, feel deeply, and awaken compassion in turbulent times.
🎁 A video conversation with Alexander John Shaia: The 4 Great Questions—exploring Change, Suffering, Mysticism, and Service through a unifying spiritual lens.
🎁 The Seeker’s Guide to Mysticism—a free e-course with Summit host Kelly Deutsch, revealing the heart of mysticism and the contemplative life.
🎁 A free 8-day mini retreat on Being a Monk in the World—daily reflections to help you cultivate peace, purpose, and sacred rhythm in everyday life.
🎁 A bonus chapter from The Divine Dance by Mike Morrell—explore the relational rhythm of the Trinity in this beautifully written piece.
I'M IN! I WANT MY FREE GIFTS!SUMMIT PRODUCER
Spiritual Wanderlust
SUMMIT PARTNERS:
The World Community for Christian Meditation – USA
Spiritual Directors International
