Exploring ~ Group Spiritual Direction
Now enrolling for the 2021 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...

  • 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. If local Atlanta students would like to join in person, we are prepared to create a hybrid environment to include all students. This will be determined as enrollment shapes the group geography.
  • 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.​
  • 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. 
  • Specific dates and topics are listed below.​
  • 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 request an interview.
Specific information about pricing
​and policies is here.
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.
Our podcast episode (Summer 2020) interviewing Exec Director and students about their experience in Exploring.
Dates and Topics for the 2021 Cohort
and examples of study 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 - Dark Night of the Soul
  • 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 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 - Identity & Value
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 12 - Faith in the World
How does my faith show up in the world?
  • Social Justice & Activism
  • The myth of  “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 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.