We believe the growth of faith and spiritual attention will take place not only in organized religion, but also in individual relationships and building small communities of commitment and understanding. Our "Exploring" program is group spiritual discovery - a place to deepen your own spiritual beliefs and practices, and learn about the way others see their own spirituality. The time together includes gathering ritual (everyone gets a chance to lead), sharing our own personal spiritual narratives, conversation around assigned reading and other learning materials (podcasts, video etc) and additional instruction and facilitation of practices during sessions.
Our mission at Zeitgeist is to lead the way with fresh curriculum and an integrated interfaith/interspiritual approach, encouraging participants to grow their own worldviews, and their own spiritual connection.
Details...
All sessions will be via ZG Zoom (online meetings for our distributed community). Coursework will be specifically tailored to the online environment, making use of engagement tools within the Zoom technology.
Sessions are the second Saturday of each month, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. (Eastern Time. See specific dates below)
All students in “Exploring” are asked to have a relationship with their own Spiritual Director. We can help connect you with the best directors in Atlanta, or wherever you're at.
Students will be part of a recurring small group, no larger than 10, to facilitate trusting relationships, and time for meaningful interaction.
Students will be asked to read/view assigned material in between sessions.
Each student will complete a Spiritual Narrative project, sharing their own journey of coming to know themselves in the context of their faith construct.
Prospective students are asked to have an interview with ZG's Executive Director, Debonee Morgan. This makes sure we're a great fit and that your questions get answered so you feel ready. Click the link below to request an interview.
Prospective students are asked to have a brief interview with ZG's Executive Director, Debonee Morgan before enrollment. This ensures a good fit, and creates opportunity to answer any questions about the Exploring program.
Click the button below to request an interview and get registered.
Listen to our podcast episode interviewing Executive Director and students about their experience in Exploring.
Dates and Topics for the 2021 Cohort and examples of suggested material
2021
September 11 - Beginning
Introduction to program & one another
Review curriculum for the year, policies & policies, expectation
Create agreements & sacred space
Define individual goals & commitments
October 9 - Something Greater
Spiritual Direction – History, benefits, finding your own Director
Defining the “God” of our understanding
The Names of God
Traditional faith descriptions
Non-traditional descriptions
November 13 - Discernment / Dark Night
Ignatian discernment & Non-traditional methods
Defining & Exploring the “Dark Night of the Soul”
December 11 - Praxis
Doing that becomes Being
Prayer (Cataphatic, Apophatic – Centering)
Meditation
Lectio / Midrash /Audio Divina
Body praxis (Yoga, breath work, walking meditation)
2022
January 8 - Expression
Creativity as Spirit
Visual art
Poetry
Music
Film
Making
February 12 - Value
Who does Godde say you are?
Identities in context: Women, LGBTQ, racial identity
March 12 - Faith in the World
How does my faith live out?
Social Justice / Activism / “The Other”
Practical values
Day to day life
April 9 - Wisdom
Who and what deepens your connection?
The Perennial Tradition
May 14 - Closure
Ritual and closure
Preparation for Spiritual Director Certification for those who choose to seek training as a Director.
Prospective students are asked to have a brief interview with ZG's Executive Director, Debonee Morgan before enrollment. This ensures a good fit, and creates opportunity to answer any questions about the Exploring program.
Click the button below to request an interview and get registered.