The Wisdom of Listening:

A 7-Week Practice in Active, Contemplative Listening

This experiential training is open to people of all backgrounds, professions, and spiritual paths and is designed for those who learn best through practice rather than lecture.

Each week, participants receive access to a brief 10-minute video introducing the theme and listening posture for the upcoming week. Our live sessions then focus on reflective questions, guided meditation, one-on-one and group listening conversations, offering spacious, supported practice in contemplative, active listening. 

Along the way, we gently notice the habits, pressures, and cultural patterns that can interfere with deep listening, practicing a compassionate return to presence while learning to stay attentive without over-carrying or absorbing what is not ours.

Rooted in the wisdom tradition of spiritual companionship, this series draws from the first year of Wisdom Tree Collective’s formation and spiritual direction trainings while remaining fully accessible to the wider public. No prior experience is required.

For anyone longing to listen more deeply—to others, to life, or to the Sacred.

Early registration rate: $275 
Available through March 7th.

After this date, tuition returns to $325.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

If the cost of this series would be a barrier to participation, you are warmly invited to request a scholarship. We trust participants to discern their needs with integrity, and no additional explanation is required.

👉 Request a scholarship by emailing our Guardian of Financial Well Being, Jill Wright

Grow, Listen, Companion

**Fall 2026 Cohort Application Now Open!**

Our programs cultivate spiritual depth, presence, and compassionate accompaniment. Start with Year One: Certificate in Spiritual Formation, and continue into Year Two: Certificate in Spiritual Direction to practice supervised accompaniment and complete your integrative Wisdom Project.

Learn More About Year One

Unsure if this is the right next step? Our application process includes a 15 minute conversation with an instructor or alumni to explore your desire and readiness for the program.

All students enter through the same application and begin together in Year One. Those who desire the full Spiritual Direction Certificate will engage in a discernment process prior to Year Two.

Each year's cohort is intentionally small to ensure deep formation and community.

Group Supervision for Spiritual Directors

Collective Wisdom Available for Spiritual Directors

For those who desire to be supported as they offer spiritual direction to others. Whether you are offering group or individual spiritual direction, discover how the wisdom of a facilitated group can enrich your own soul and practice. 

Contact Dr. Robbie Pinter for more details about these 2-hour sessions and to submit payment.

Go to our Instructor page to find out more about Robbie.

Total: $160 for 4 sessions

Graduates of Wisdom Tree Collective receive $20 off the 4-session Group Supervision fee.

September Alumni Retreat

It's our first alumni retreat! Yay!!

We're excited to gather and celebrate each other's gifts through storytelling, poetry, song, rap, art, or whatever medium each alum chooses. Plenty of time for conversation, walks, watching the sunset from the colonnade...

And an optional 3rd night is available for those who would like to add a silent retreat to their stay. Group or Individual Spiritual Direction will be available.  

Where: Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, IN

*A limited number of scholarships are available for this retreat. Fill out the Application for Financial Assistance if it would make it possible for you to join us. 

Intro to Centering Prayer 

In this introductory workshop you will discover a centuries-old prayer method. Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God - beyond thoughts, words, and emotions - and opening our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery.
You will learn the method of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with other seekers.

Facilitator: Robbie Clifton Pinter recently retired from a 38-year career teaching English at Belmont University. At Belmont, she enjoyed teaching a wide variety of writing genres related to contemplation and action (Robbie enjoys helping people connect their deepest longing with a sacred call to be fully human). She offers workshops and retreats related to life writing, spirituality, contemplation, and centering prayer.
Robbie is a spiritual director and a Commissioned Presenter of the Prayer.

She has worked with WTC since it began, then as a mentor, a teacher in the 2nd year program, and as a supervisor. She was the chair of Contemplative Outreach of Middle Tennessee until it recently merged with the East Tennessee chapter. She now works with that group. She also serves on the board of Saint Mary's Sewanee (where longer CP retreats are held).

Sunrise Circle

Join us for a peaceful midweek gathering of Lectio Divina (Sacred reading) of Richard Rohr’s CAC (Tuesday) Daily Meditation and Centering Prayer sit. Sunrise Circle offers a sacred space to begin your day with intention and spiritual connection. Watch the CAC's video about this year's theme: "Good News for a Fractured World." 

When: Wednesday mornings at 7:00 AM

Duration: 45 minutes

Where: Online (access provide through registering)

What to Expect:

Lectio Divina (25 minutes): The Meditation will be posted in the Circle on Tuesday. You may find it helpful to read it ahead of time.

Together, we will read the Meditation. We will take a moment to reflect on the meditation and then each participant will be invited to share a word or phrase that touches them. After each person has had a chance to share the word or phrase, then we will go around and tell why or how it touches our life. If there is time for cross discussion at the end, we will do so. If anyone chooses to pass on sharing, they are welcome to--this is a safe space! You can even come in your pajamas and leave the video off.

Contemplative Prayer (20 minutes): A shared time of silence and stillness to be attentive to the presence and action of God in our being and lives.

Whether you’re new to contemplative practices or a seasoned participant, all are welcome to this circle of peace and growth. Rediscover the beauty of the morning with Sunrise Circle—a time for reflection, prayer, and community.

Sign up for CAC meditations at https://cac.org/daily-meditations.

Centering Prayer Circle 

Practicing a holy pause from speaking and doing to rest in the Divine Embrace and listen for the Sacred in text, art, and music

Beginners and long-time practitioners invited to join us for a Centering Practice every Friday from 9-10 am CST.

The Centering Prayer Circle begins by being guided into 20 minutes of silence followed by  opportunities for Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and Audio Divina (reading, looking, and listening with the eyes and ears of the heart):

Facilitated by different members of WTC. 

Wisdom Tree Collective Community Circle

Wisdom Tree Collective is a modest community rooted in ancient and present-day spiritual and listening practices. It supports those navigating their spiritual journey, seeking clarity, grounding, and hope. At the same time, it is a refuge for those called to walk alongside others with wisdom and compassion.

In times like these, we need the support of each other. So, we're bringing all of the Collective together into this online common space.

From students, alumni, and mentors from our School to members of our meditation circles, to those new to us and looking for a place to belong, we have a wealth of gifts to share with each other.

Each of us brings our lived experience of joy and weathering storms of all kinds.

Curating and facilitating this online space and hosting seasonal video coffee hours will be Lauree Morris, an alumni from our School of Spiritual Direction, and Jill Wright, a current year two student. Both have a heart for creating a sacred space of refuge and encouragement.

This is a place for you. Choose to interact as much or as little as you desire. Share wisdom, receive wisdom. Share photos, ask questions, post quotes, invite us to events, talk about your experience in other Wisdom Tree Collective offerings.

Don't feel like posting or replying to anything? No problem, just know we're here for you.

Evergreen Courses

Purchase recordings to watch when you desire!

Recording Available for "Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction 101" with Abby Buter Oakhart

Through this recording, you will receive a foundation in what it means to become trauma-informed and offer trauma-informed spiritual direction.

This is information that is helpful to anyone in a helping profession (or desiring to interact with others through a trauma-informed lens). 

Watch it as many times as you would like and learn: 

• What does it mean to be trauma informed?
• What’s going on in our body when we’re activated (aka triggered)?
• What are tools that we can use when ourselves or a directee is feeling activated?

Proceeds benefit the work & sustainability of Wisdom Tree Collective. 

Recording Available for "Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction 201" with Abby Buter Oakhart

This recording will teach practical ways to offer trauma-informed spiritual direction, focusing on avoiding re-traumatization through power dynamics, creating safe spaces, and using sensitive language. 

A panel of experienced spiritual directors talk about their trauma-informed practices and invite us to consider: 

• Why do I need to think about power dynamics in spiritual direction?
• How can I set up my space in a trauma informed way?
• What are practical examples of how to practice trauma-informed spiritual direction?

 Proceeds benefit the work & sustainability of Wisdom Tree Collective.