The Monk Within Self-Study Program is open to anyone seeking a deeper contemplative commitment through the study of mystical wisdom, engaged practice, and prayer. It is also a program for individuals who wish to discover a new monastic way of life in the context of their current life situation and spiritual affiliation.

The courses being made available through this program have been designed to maintain, in spirit, the classical ideal in which access to holy texts and transmission of spiritual wisdom is shared heart to heart and soul to soul. When taken in their entirety, they provide an opportunity to study with Dr. Lanzetta, anywhere and at any time, in a way that was previously only available at in-person retreats and presentations.

Dr. Lanzetta’s teachings on new traditions of contemplative wisdom and the vows that have inspired the monastic vocation throughout history, incorporate an authentic mystical discernment meant to ignite the longing for divine intimacy at the heart of every spiritual quest.

Individuals who are pursuing a deeper contemplative commitment are invited to participate in various spiritual formation courses, offered at no cost.

The self-study online courses are based on original lectures given by Dr. Lanzetta and include audio clips, text, reflection questions, practices, prayers, and a virtual library of resources.

Most courses are divided into eight sessions, and are designed for you to move through at your own pace, allowing plenty of time for silence, prayer, and reflection between sessions. We recommend doing no more than two session per week, so that a course comprised of eight sessions would take a minimum of a month to complete.

Upon registration, you will receive a welcome email with instructions for how to access the courses via a password-protected web page, which will contain the entire course library. Courses will be added to the library as they become available.

On each individual course page you will find a description of the course, a short introduction for each session, links to access the audio clips, and a PDF to download with the text, reflections, practices, and prayers for each session. Each course also includes a virtual library to enhance the course content.

Access to email and an internet-connected device, as well as Adobe Reader are required.

A project such as this would not be possible without the passionate commitment of like-hearted friends who have given of their wisdom, time, and expertise to co-create The Monk Within website and the Self-Study Program, with the hope that new traditions of contemplative wisdom will reach a wider audience.

In many years of teaching, I never had an assistant until 2019, when Vania Kent miraculously joined this effort. To call her an “assistant” is truly inadequate to convey the gifts she has brought to my life, and her open-hearted commitment to every aspect of our work together. Her spiritual insight and wisdom, kindness and compassion, and knowledge of all things electronic is vast. She not only posts and manages my weekly meditations, edits selected lectures, and watches over the needs of retreat participants, Vania also created The Monk Within website platform, designed the beautiful contemplative vision for the interior layout, and attended to every detail of its launch. It is because of her steadfast desire that this project has come to life. Vania is my dear friend and a wonder of efficiency, grace, and love.

I first met Nelson Kane in 1982 when he attended one of my spiritual classes and we have been close friends ever since. Influenced by the great work of religious art from the past, he is an award-winning art director and graphic designer who brings the sacred back into contemporary literary design. Nelson has contributed his beautiful designs to so many of my projects—websites, book covers and interiors, retreat flyers, and logos. His unfailing commitment to our work together and the gifts he offers come from a generous heart and a deep center of stillness. His gentle wisdom and extensive knowledge of graphic design, are evident in The Monk Within website, especially his sensitivity to how visual imagery enhances the contemplative experience, drawing us into silence and solitude. Where would I be without his consistent presence!

For members of my community—the Community of a New Monastic Way—I have tremendous gratitude and love. With a wish and intention that these teachings become available to all who seek the Divine Mystery, they have graciously and consistently transcribed (and edited) my lectures for more than forty years. Without their desire to study—which, in a sense, compelled me to teach—and commitment to this work of spirit, we would not have a written record. In their hearts and with their help, together we have brought something of our years of mystical study to you.

Courses

Click here to see current and upcoming courses.

"The transformative effect that Dr. Lanzetta has on those who study with her and engage with her mystical scholarship correlates to the qualities she possesses of a deep integrity, a clear ethical and moral base, and that rare capacity to embody the principles and practices she imparts. What marks Dr. Lanzetta as an extraordinary teacher, however, is not simply her expert knowledge of the field. It has to do with the depth of her personal spirituality and its application to the global transformation in which she is currently engaged."
Sarah Stein