SAVE THE DATE

SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2025

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SAVE YOUR SEAT

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.

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE

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."


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


"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!

REGISTER for FREE!

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!

 

REGISTER FOR FREE!

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 

REGISTER TODAY FOR FREE!

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

Day One | September 25
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
Day 2 | September 26
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
Day 3 | September 27
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
Day 4 | September 28
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

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

Lithurgical Press