Welcome to the Contemplative Summit!

In this session, Christine Valters Paintner, poet and author of over 20 spiritual life books, including A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness, reflects on the profound wisdom found in life's "winter" phases. She speaks to the importance of embracing inner darkness as an essential part of spiritual growth, guiding listeners through themes of grief, shadow work, and creative contemplation. Christine delves into archetypes of the Monk and the Artist, highlighting their significance in her life and work, and shares practices for honoring grief, avoiding spiritual bypassing, and nurturing creativity through seasonal cycles.

May you  be inspired to explore your own "dark night of the soul" with courage, discovering tools to navigate life’s darker seasons. Christine also offers insight into the “cave within,” and explores the richness of contemplating darkness as a fertile ground for transformation, creativity, and a deeper relationship with the Divine.

Speaker bio: Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE is the online Abbess and director of AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery exploring contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet, teacher, Benedictine oblate, and author of numerous books on spirituality and the arts. Her newest book is A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness (https://abbeyofthearts.com/books/a-midwinter-god/)

What if the roots of Christian mysticism run deeper than most of us realize? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Petrow, a Jungian scholar, spiritual director, and Director of Formation at the Center for Action and Contemplation, to explore the profound and often overlooked teachings of Origen of Alexandria. Origen, an early Church Father from the 3rd century, was one of the first great Christian mystics, though today he remains largely forgotten. His writings—especially on the mystical union with God—have influenced countless spiritual giants, yet his name is rarely spoken in modern Christian circles.

In this conversation, Dr. Petrow and I will explore Origen’s reflections on divine union, his allegorical reading of Scripture, and his radical belief in universal salvation. We’ll also dive into his fascinating concept of “health-bestowing wounds,” and how our deepest pains can become sources of profound wisdom.

How might Christianity have evolved differently if Origen had shaped its trajectory rather than figures like Augustine? What wisdom can Origen still offer to us today, especially in a world longing for healing and spiritual depth? Join us for a fascinating exploration of the ancient mystical tradition that continues to inspire seekers today.

Speaker bio: Rev. Dr. Michael Petrow currently works with The Center for Action and Contemplation as Content Specialist, and as a Spiritual Director in private practice. Holding degrees in religious studies, mythology and psychology, he has worked as the director of several spiritual communities, a teacher, a theater chaplain, and a counselor with at risk youth. A certified grief and trauma counselor, as well as a graduate of The Guild for Spiritual Guidance and The Living School, he started his education in religious studies at Moravian College and received his doctorate from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where he explored the psychology of transformation within sacred traditions the world over.

Could the future of Christian mysticism involve plant medicine? In this session, we explore this provocative question with author and contemplative teacher Carl McColman, who has spent years immersed in the wisdom of the mystics. But now, his journey has taken him to an unexpected crossroads: the world of psychedelics.

How do psychedelics compare to traditional mystical experiences? Can they truly lead to divine encounters, or are they simply shortcuts to altered states? Carl shares his thoughts on the spiritual use of psychedelics throughout history, their potential role in Christian spirituality, and how plant medicine might fit into the sacramental legacy of the Church.

Join us as we explore the spiritual frontier of psychedelics and ask whether they have a place in the contemplative life.

Speaker bio: Carl McColman a spiritual director, retreat leader, and internationally known speaker and teacher on mystical spirituality and contemplative living. He is the author of many books, including "The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism", "Eternal Heart: The Mystical Path to a Joyful Life", and "Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay." He is one of the co-hosts of the Encountering Silence podcast, and blogs regularly at Patheos, Medium, and his own website, www.anamchara.com. Carl’s approach to contemplation and mysticism is inclusive and expansive; he is dedicated to exploring the common ground between faith traditions, with a particular interest in the connecting points between Christian, Buddhist and Pagan wisdom. Carl lives with his wife, artist Fran McColman, in Clarkston, Georgia, near Atlanta.