You are invited to
Because all growth starts in the dark.
A 12 Month Rhythm of Wondering, Wrestling, and Welcoming All the Darkness Has to Offer
We don't want to come out of this season the same as we went in.
There's a name for what we're living through. The mystics called it the Dark Night–a season of uncertainty, descent, and holy unraveling.
But this isn't a detour.
It's the path.
Night School is a twelve-month journey through the Dark, offering the rituals, practices, and companionship humans have long relied on in times of deep transformation—whether the descent was chosen or unchosen.
Across twelve live gatherings, elders like James Finley, Christine Valters Paintner, and Ronald Rolheiser will invite you into three essential thresholds:
- befriending the dark (shadow work, embodiment, nervous system wisdom),
- transforming what hurts (grief tending, spiritual poverty, holy longing), and
- discovering Night’s gifts (wonder, play, rest, creativity, dreams).
This is not a series about solving suffering. It is a gathering place for people who recognize a threshold when they see one–and are open to following its invitation into the underworld.
There we learn that darkness does not signal abandonment, but intimacy.
That breaking open is also a becoming.
And ultimately, that longing stretches our hearts open for the only thing that will satisfy: union.
"I AM OVERWHELMED BY THE RICHES! You guys have really outdone yourselves. This is the kind of stuff I've been starving for in church but never found. I will be savoring this for years to come."
- Mark N.
"This was a powerful, moving, and enlightening class. We had so few questions at the end of it because we were all still absorbing everything we had heard. It was absolutely beautiful. Thank you!"
- Sarah L.
"I am in awe. This course has stirred so much in me! You take us to places I never would have gone on my own. I love that I feel nourished in both head and heart."
- Olivia T.
World Renowned Speakers
James Finley
Beloved Contemplative Teacher & Student of Thomas Merton
Barbara Brown Taylor
Episcopal Priest, Theologian & Best‑Selling Author
Christine Valters Paintner
Abbess of Abbey of the Arts, Creative Teacher, & Best-Selling Author
Ronald Rolheiser
Award-winning Author of The Holy Longing
Coke Tani
Spiritual Director, Writer & Certified Teacher of InterPlay®
Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Lakota Elder, Activist, & Host & Executive Producer of First Voices Radio
Edwina Yeow
Soul Tender, Spiritual Director & Founder of Anam Cara Ministries
Alexander John Shaia
Spiritual Teacher, Depth Psychologist, & Founder of Quadratos
Cynthia Winton-Henry
Embodied Wisdom Teacher, Playful Artist, & Co-founder of InterPlay
Laura Huff Hileman
Certified Dream Consultant & Spiritual Director
What You'll Receive:
LIVE Monthly Workshops
Step into teachings from those who have traveled through the Night. Ask, wonder, and discover in a live Q&A at the close of every session.
Monthly Spiritual Practices
Each month, a contemplative or embodied practice invites you to slow down, connect, and explore what’s stirring within.
Threshold Overviews
Each month, explore a key threshold of the journey through the Dark. These overviews help you understand, reflect, and connect with the terrain you’re navigating.
Private Community
A circle for sharing your journey—moments of growth, struggle, and revelation alike. Reflect, witness, and be witnessed by others who are exploring their own inner terrain. The Community package offers live small group gatherings plus the members-only forum.
World Renowned Speakers
Learn from top-notch contemplative teachers like James Finley, Barbara Brown Taylor, Ronald Rolheiser, Christine Valters Paintner, and more!
Personalized Reading Lists
Hungry to dive deeper? Check out our recommended reading list, so you don’t have to sort through the plethora of books yourself.
Rich Continuing Education
You'll receive 18 hours of course time and 12 hours of discussion.
All the best formation, all in one place
A home for your journey—where practices, teachings, and reflections live together. Step in, explore, and let the guidance unfold at your own pace.
Your Classes Include:
All classes will be held on Saturdays from 12-1:30pm Eastern time. Small groups begin 15 minutes after, from 1:45-2:45pm EST. Order of classes are subject to change.
| February 7, 2026 | The Night Sea Journey: Into the Depths |
| March 7, 2026 | Night Body: The Lantern Within |
| April 11, 2026 | Ancestors: What the Dead Still Teach the Living |
| May 2, 2026 | Dreaming in the Dark |
| June 6, 2026 | Grief Tending: How to Carry What Cannot Be Fixed |
| July 11, 2026 | Learning to Walk in the Dark |
| August 1, 2026 | The Sacred Feminine & the Wisdom of the Womb |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Shadow Work & IFS: Making Friends with the Dark |
| October 3, 2026 | Creativity & Playing in the Dark |
| November 7, 2026 | Longing & Spiritual Poverty |
| December 5, 2026 | Wintering: What Nature Knows About Rest |
| January 9, 2027 | Darkness as Intimacy: The Dark Night of the Soul |
What You’ll Carry With You
- A broader spiritual map for grief, longing, and descent
- Simple embodied practices to steady your nervous system in times of uncertainty
- Greater capacity to stay present to sorrow without losing touch with joy
- A felt sense of companionship, knowing you don’t have to walk these seasons alone
- A quieter confidence that this darkness is shaping you, not undoing you
"Absolute goosebumps.
No where have I found such insight, heart, and depth."
- Eleanor S.
"Just sending heartfelt gratitude. I've found a home where I hear the language of the soul.
No need to respond. I'm sure you receive many such emails.
I pray for you and the continuation of this Holy work."
- Josephine T.
"My goodness, what an amazing presentation. I will have to go back more than once to attempt to take it all in. There was years’ worth of material there, at least!"
- Martin A.
Select Your Package
Conferences featuring just a fraction of what we offer cost $895-$2000. We wanted to make this kind of formation available to everyone - for the price of a monthly dinner out! For those with limited funds, please contact us for scholarship information.
SELF -STUDY
$897
$27/mo
Each Month You'll Receive
- A LIVE 90-minute Monthly Workshop on a different Night School Threshold
- “Enter the Threshold” Guide
- Personalized Reading Lists
- Video recordings of each workshop, to watch at your convenience
- Downloadable audio for screen-free listening
- Monthly practices to support reflection and integration
- Seasoned guest teachers
- Earn up to 18 CEUs
- Pay in full and get one month FREE + Lifetime Access! (click here)
LEARN IN COMMUNITY
$1,597
$47/mo
*MOST POPULAR
Each Month You'll Receive:
- Everything in Self Study, PLUS:
- Private Community
- LIVE monthly small group discussions
- Discussion partners
- Earn up to 30 CEU's
- Pay in full and get one month FREE + Lifetime Access! (click here)
1:1 FORMATION
$3,397
$197/mo
Each Month You'll Receive:
- Everything in Self Study, PLUS:
- Private Community
- LIVE monthly small group discussions
- Discussion partners
- 1-on-1 Spiritual Direction each month
- Psycho-Spiritual Maturity Assessment
Satisfaction GUARANTEED
30-day Money Back Guarantee
We offer a full 30-day money back guarantee for all year-long products.
100% Secure
All orders are processed through 100% secure network. Your information is safe, secure, encrypted, and private. And will NEVER be shared.
Cancel Your Subscription Anytime
You may cancel your monthly subscription at any time - no commitments or contracts.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to refugee relief.
"I love working with Spiritual Wanderlust because they're a true contemplative organization—they're holistic, taking in all of life.
I highly recommend them."
- James Finley
Meet the Host
Kelly Deutsch
Kelly is the founder and bestselling author of Spiritual Wanderlust. A former nun, Kelly is passionate about supporting others on the path to divine union. She has facilitated popular programs such as The Women Mystics School, The Celtic Spirituality School, and the worldwide Contemplative Summit. She speaks internationally and writes on the intersection of mysticism, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and embodiment.
"I have been blessed beyond all expectations. I am filled to overflowing."
- Mary Kay C.
Questions Fellow Travelers Asked Before Joining Night School
When will the classes be held?
How do I access the classes?
Can I take one/a few of the classes?
How long do I have to access the course?
Do you offer scholarships?
How do small group sessions work?
Can I use this with my group?
What is your refund policy?
I have another question!
We don’t want to come out of this season the same as we went in.
The journey begins FEBRUARY 7, 2026!
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