Exploring ~ Group Spiritual Direction
 
Enrollment is now closed

for the 2024 cohort.


Look for news next Spring about the next cohort.
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 ...

  • The program kicks off with an in-person Intensive meeting, Saturday September 14 - Monday September 16, 2024 in Atlanta, GA, USA.  (ZG will supply hotel recommendations and travel advise for non-local students.)
  • The school year ends with another in-person Intensive meeting in Atlanta, Saturday May 3 - Monday May 5, 2025.
  • In-between sessions will be via Zoom, held once a month for two hours. (Schedule and topics are below.)
  • All lessons and materials, and Zoom integration will be via the ZG Student Portal, where you will be able to continue conversations with your cohort throughout the year.
  • All students in “Exploring” are asked to have a relationship with their own Spiritual Director.  We can help connect you with great folks, wherever you are.
  • Enrollment will be capped at 10 students, to keep the learning environment and access to your teachers intimate.
  • Students will be asked to read/view assigned material in between sessions. "Materials" will include books, articles, podcasts, youtube videos and more!
  • Each student will complete a Spiritual Narrative project, sharing their own journey of coming to know themselves in the context of their faith construct.​
  • All "Exploring" students have Partner Membership in ZG for the year they are enrolled.
  • "Exploring" is a comfortable introduction to the direction experience, and a pre-requisite for entering the Spiritual Direction Training Program. 
  • Pricing and policies are here.
  • Prospective students are asked to have an informational conversation 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 make sure we'll be meeting your expectations, and request an interview.
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Click here for specific information about pricing
​and policies
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Your 2024/25 Teachers


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. Carl’s approach to contemplation and mysticism is inclusive and expansive; they are dedicated to exploring the common ground between faith traditions, with a particular interest in the connecting points between Christian, Buddhist and Pagan wisdom. In December of 2023, Carl formally joined Red Clay Sangha of Atlanta, and continues as an adherent of Buddhist practices.

They are also Zeitgeist's Contemplative in Residence.


Bec Cranford is a Bapticostal Misfit floating in the Mystic, Interfaith, Ecumenical, and Spiritual Waters. She’s a long time abolitionist, advocate for Atlanta’s #unhoused, and believes in harm reduction. She’s taught contextual education (practical ministry) for 10 years at Candler School of Theology. She has served in various amazing organizations, including Wild Goose Festival, Center for Progressive Renewal, The Ministry Collaborative, Policing Alternatives and Diversion, and many more. Bec holds a BS in Practical Theology, and a Masters of Divinity, but she likes to believe her Masters of Divination came from Hogwarts. Bec resides in West Georgia and likes walking in the woods and making messes with acrylic. 


Karen Cote  has a heart for contemplative living, spiritual development, and social justice. Karen serves on the Racial Healing and Justice Ministry of the Episcopal Church, Diocese of Georgia working to inform, educate and reconcile injustices related to racism. She is a graduate from the inaugural cohort of Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation’s Living School. Karen is an experienced workshop leader, focusing on contemplative practices and the Enneagram to provide a lens for noticing and awakening to transformation in our lives. Grounded in the mystical tradition, she creates a brave space that is open and affirming to all persons seeking deeper connections with self, God and others. She received certification as a Spiritual Director from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology and a Master of Theological Studies from Lexington Theological Seminary.


Stacey Atkins has most recently studied Celtic Shamanic practices through Embracing Shamanism in Inverness, Scotland. Stacey is a believer in inter-spiritual faith and non-dualism and a Certified Spiritual Director through Zeitgeist's own Spiritual Direction Training Program. Her Master's of Theological Studies is from Perkins School of Theology as she was raised in the Methodist Church and still worships there as a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Stacey is a cancer survivor, and focuses her work as a spiritual direction practice companioning those who are experiencing a life-threatening illness and their caregivers.
ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED FOR 2024. FEEL FREE TO INQUIRE RE 2025 COHORT.

Prospective students are asked to have a brief conversation 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 some time to talk about 2024.

Dates and Topics for the 2024 Cohort
and examples of study material​
2024
September 14 - 16 In-Person Intensive in Atlanta
  • Introduction to program, teachers & one another 
  • Review curriculum for the year, policies & policies, expectation
  • Create agreements & sacred space
  • Define individual goals & commitments
  • Relationship building
  • Catered meals with community
  • Contemplative time for self reflection & social breaks
October 19
Zoom - "Something Greater" and Language Around Spirituality
with Karen Cote
  • Why does language matter?
  • Defining the “God of our understanding"
  • The Names of Godde
  • Traditional faith descriptions
  • Non-traditional descriptions
  • Spiritual wounding by language
November 16
Zoom - Dark Night of the Soul
with Carl McColman
  • Defining & understanding the “Dark Night of the Soul”
  • The importance of not-knowing
  • What are our own stories of spiritual emptiness or distance?
  • What does recovery and deepening look like?
December 21
Zoom - Spiritual Practices
with  Bec Cranford & Stacey Atkins
Doing that becomes Being
  • Prayer (Cataphatic, Apophatic – Centering)
  • Meditation
  • Lectio / Midrash /Audio Divina
  • Embodiment (Yoga, breath work, walking meditation)
2025
January 18
Zoom - Creativity & Expression as Divine Presence
with Stacey Atkins & Karen Cote
Creativity as Spirit
  • Visual art
  • Poetry
  • Music 
  • Film 
  • Making
February 15
Zoom - Identities, Intersectionality & Value
with Carl McColman
Who does Godde say you are?​​ Do cultural constructs agree?
  • Identities in context:
  • Racial  & ethnic / White Body Supremacy
  • LGBTQ+
  • Women
  • Socio-economic status
  • Intersectionality
March 15
Zoom - Social Justice & Faith in the World
with Bec Cranford
How does my faith show up in the world?
  • Social Justice & Activism
  • The myth of  “Other”
  • Practical values
  • Day to day life
May 3-5 In-Person Intensive

  • WISDOM:
  • Who and what deepens your connection?
  • The Perennial Tradition

  • FILM & DISCUSSION
  • Where do we find spirituality in pop culture?
  • Students will watch a flick together & share thoughts
​​
  • Relationship nurturing
  • Personal & Program reflection
  • Preparation for Spiritual Director Certification for those who choose to seek training as a Director.
  • Closing ritual
Location
In-Person Intensive Meetings are in our ZG Headquarters in The High House, Downtown Decatur, GA.
309 Sycamore Street, Decatur GA 30030
ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED FOR 2024. FEEL FREE TO INQUIRE RE 2025 COHORT.
Prospective students are asked to have a brief conversation 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 some time to talk and get registered.
From last year: Exec Director Debonee and Dr Kim talk
about the cohort for Sept 23. This year will be a little different, but with the same vibe. :)
Our podcast episode (Summer 2020) interviewing Debonee and students about their experience in Exploring.