From Reactive to Responsive

Transition from fear-driven, ego-attached leadership to leading from a state of spiritual freedom. Learn to recognize when control, approval, or success are driving your decisions, and choose differently.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Application

Master 500-year-old Ignatian contemplative practices (Daily Examen, discernment of spirits, detachment experiments) adapted for executives, diplomats, and public servants navigating today's complexity.

Practice, not just Theory

12 weeks of daily contemplative disciplines, weekly live formation sessions, graded reflections, and personal transformation. This is spiritual formation, not academic study.

About the Course

The Certificate in Silence, Discernment & Leadership Offered by the Ethica Christian Institute, a Swiss non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland is a 12-week executive formation program that integrates 500-year-old Ignatian contemplative practices with contemporary leadership principles. You'll master the Ten Silences, progressive contemplative practices moving from body awareness to spiritual freedom, learning to lead from interior peace rather than reactive compulsion. Each week combines video teaching, audio meditations, daily practices (20-30 minutes), and live formation sessions. Grounded in Christian wisdom, applicable to all leaders. While rooted in Ignatian spirituality (St. Ignatius of Loyola's contemplative tradition), you don't need to be Christian or religious; you just need to be willing to engage in practices that have transformed leaders for five centuries. You'll develop: 1) Freedom from disordered attachments (control, approval, success, status) 2) Real-time discernment of ego-will vs. true will 3) Daily contemplative disciplines (Examen, discernment of spirits, detachment practices) 4) Capacity to lead from spiritual freedom, not fear-driven reactivity This is formation, not information, 12 weeks of transformative interior work for executives, diplomats, and public servants ready to integrate silence as the foundation of ethical leadership.

Meet Your Mentor

I'm Professor Michele Vincenti, the creator of this course. As a business finance professor with a PhD in Human Organizational Systems, a management consultant, and founder of the Ethica Christian Institute, a Geneva-based Swiss non-profit that provides executive formation programs.I've spent decades integrating contemplative wisdom with leadership practice. My journey from corporate strategy to Ignatian spirituality revealed how silence, particularly the practices you'll learn in this course, transforms not just our leadership, but our capacity to discern truth, resist reactive decision-making, and lead from spiritual freedom rather than ego-driven compulsion. I'm excited to guide you through these ancient practices, which have been adapted for contemporary leaders navigating complexity, ambiguity, and ethical challenges.

About Ethica Christian Institute

The Certificate in Silence, Discernment & Leadership is offered by the Ethica Christian Institute, a Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to integrating Christian contemplative wisdom with contemporary leadership development. Based in the heart of Geneva, the global center for international diplomacy and governance, Ethica serves executives, diplomats, and leaders worldwide who seek to ground their leadership in ancient spiritual wisdom and ethical discernment. Ethica Christian Institute Cours des Bastions 13 1205 Genève Suisse Unique Identification Number (UID): CHE-490.889.809

Curriculum

12 Chapters · 168 Lessons

  1. 1

    Week 1: Silence of the Body

    1. Welcome to Week 1: Silence of the Body Free preview
    2. Learning Objectives Free preview
    3. Core Content Reference Materials Free preview
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      Video Part 2: Core Teaching

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      Required Readings

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      Audio Practice 1: Morning Body Scan (5 min)

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      Audio Practice 2: Quick Grounding Reset (30 sec)

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      Audio Practice 3: Ignatian Body Check for Decisions (6 min)

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      Audio Practice 4: Evening Body Release (3 min)

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      Week 1: Live Session Presentation

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      Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 1: Assignment

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      Downloadable Resources

  2. 2

    Week 2: Silence of the Breath

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 2: Silence of the Breath

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Silence of the Breath

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      Video Part 2: Breath as Spirit in Christian Tradition

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      Required Reading

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      Audio 1: 5-Minute Morning Breath Practice (5 minutes)

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      Audio 2: Box Breathing for Emotional Regulation (5 minutes)

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      Audio 3: Breath Prayer Practice (5 minutes)

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      Audio 4: Relaxation Breathing - Long Exhale (6 minutes)

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      Audio 5: Energizing Breathing (5 minutes)

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      Week 2: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 2: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 2: Assignment

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      Downloadable Resources

  3. 3

    Week 3: Silence of the Senses

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 3: Silence of the Senses

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence of the Mind

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      Video Part 2: How to Practice Centering Prayer

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      Required Reading

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      AUDIO 1: 5-Minutes Silent Sitting (5 Minutes)

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      AUDIO 2: Sensory Awareness Meditation (4 Minutes)

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      AUDIO 3: Digital Detox Preparation (3 Minutes)

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      AUDIO 4: Evening Screen-FREE Transition (2 Minutes)

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      Week 3: Live Session Presentation

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      Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 3: Assignment

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      Downloadable Resources

  4. 4

    Week 4: Silence of Thought

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 4: Silence of the Heart

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to the Silence of Thought

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      Video Part 2: Centering Prayer Method

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      Required Reading

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      Audio 1: 20-Minutes Centering Prayer

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      Audio 2: 10-Minutes Thought Observation

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      Audio 3: Ignatian Discernment Guide

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      Audio 4: Sacred Word Throughout the Day

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      Week 4: Live Session Presentation

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      WEEK 4: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 4: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  5. 5

    Week 5: Silence of the Emotions

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 5: Silence of the Emotions

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence of Emotion

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      Video Part 2: The Power of Emotion Naming

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      Required Reading

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      Audio 1: Emotion Meditation (10 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Self-Compassion Break (3 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Emotion Naming Practice (2 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Welcoming Difficult emotions (4 Minutes)

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      Week 5: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 5: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 5: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  6. 6

    Week 6: Silence of the Will

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 6: Silence of the Will

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence of the Will.

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      Video Part 2: What Enslaves Your Will?

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      Required Reading

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      Audio 1: Daily Examen (10 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Freedom Mantra (2 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Detachment Meditation (5 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Deathbed Perspective (4 Minutes)

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      Week 6: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 6: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 6: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  7. 7

    Week 7: Silence of Attention

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 7: Silence of Attention

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence of Attention

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      Video Part 2: The Work That Matters

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: Deep Work Preparation (3 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Shutdown Ritual (5 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Attention Audit (4 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Attention Reset (2 Minutes)

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      Week 7: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 7: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 7: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  8. 8

    Week 8: Silence of Desire

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 8: Silence of Desire

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence of Desire

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      Video Part 2: What Do You Really Want?

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: Silence and Desire Practice (20 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Five Whys Excavation (6 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Daily Desire Journal (3 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Augustine's Prayer (2 Minutes)

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      Week 8: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 8: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      WEEK 8: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  9. 9

    Week 9: Silence of Relationship

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 9: Silence of Relationship

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to the Silence of Relationship

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      Video Part 2: Solitude Creates Community

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: Preparation for Fully Present Conversation (2 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Compassionate Presence Practice (10 MInutes)

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      Audio 3: Deep Listening Reset (3 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Evening Listening Log (4 Minutes)

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      Week 9: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 9: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      WEEK 9: Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  10. 10

    Week 10: Silence Before God

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 10: Silence Before God

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Silence Before God

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      Video Part 2: How to Meditate

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: Full 20-Minute Guided Meditation (20 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Brief Introduction to Meditation (5 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: 10-Minute Meditation (Shorter Version) (10 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Evening Meditation Log (3 Minutes)

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      Week 10: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 10: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 10 Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  11. 11

    Week 11: Catholic Ethics & Artificial Intelligence

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 11: Catholic Ethics & Artificial Intelligence

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      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

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      Video Part 1: Welcome to Catholic Ethics & AI

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      Video Part 2: When AI Amplifies Injustice

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: Contemplative Tech Check-In (5 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Daily AI Audit (7 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Four Pillars Evaluation (10 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Rule of Tech Development (8 Minutes)

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      Week 11: Live Session Presentation

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      Week 11: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

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      Week 11 Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

  12. 12

    Week 12: Discernment-Driven Leadership

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Week 12: Discernment-Driven Leadership

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

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      Core Content Reference Materials

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Video Part 1: Welcome to Week 12: The Capstone

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      Video Part 2: Two Kinds of Leadership

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      Required Readings

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      Audio 1: 12-Week Integration Review (15 Minutes)

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      Audio 2: Leadership Rule Development (12 Minutes)

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      Audio 3: Ignatian Decision Discernment (10 Minutes)

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      Audio 4: Commissioning Prayer (4 Minutes)

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      Week 12: Live Session Presentation

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Week 12: Daily Practice Journal (For Your Personal Use Only)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Week 12 Assignment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Downloadable Resources

Interior Freedom

Release disordered attachments to control, approval, success, and status. Through the Daily Examen and detachment experiments, you'll develop genuine spiritual freedom, the capacity to choose from peace rather than compulsion, service rather than ego-protection.

Real-Time Discernment

Learn to recognize consolation vs. desolation, ego-will vs. true will as interior movements happen, not just in retrospect. This is the foundation of wise leadership: discerning truth in the moment through Ignatian practices refined over 500 years.

Sustainable Contemplative Practice

Leave with daily disciplines that sustain you for decades: the Daily Examen (10 minutes nightly), silence practices, breath work, detachment experiments, and Ignatian contemplation. This isn't theory,  it's formation through consistent practice.

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Skills?

Unlock the power of silence to lead with clarity, authority, and ethical influence. Enroll today and take the first step towards becoming an exceptional leader. The tuitions are in US Dollars. ($3,095.00)

2 x $1,547.50

Enroll Now Get a Free Preview

Program Investment & Enrollment Policies

Investment: The complete Certificate in Silence, Discernment & Leadership program is USD $3,095.00. Payment Schedule: First payment: USD $1,547.50 (due at enrollment - secures your place) Second payment: USD $1,547.50 (due 30 days after enrollment) Try Before You Fully Commit. We're confident in the transformative power of this program. Attend the entire first week, experience the practices, and engage with the community. If you decide the program isn't right for you, simply notify us by the end of Week 1 to receive a refund, as outlined in our policy below. Refund Policy Before the program starts: Full 100% refund if you withdraw at least 48 hours before the program start date. During Week 1: Full refund of all payments made; you forfeit no deposit After Week 1 (Days 8-30): Refund of second payment only ($1,547.50) if not yet charged; first payment ($1,547.50) is non-refundable After Day 30: No refunds available once second payment is processed Program Duration & Commitment This is a 12-week intensive program. To receive your certificate, you must: Complete all 12 weekly modules, participate in live group sessions or watch the recorded live class videos (schedule provided upon enrollment), submit required reflective exercises, and maintain consistent engagement with the contemplative practices. Withdrawal Process: To withdraw from the program, please email us at [email protected] with your withdrawal request. Refunds will be processed within 10 business days. Technical Requirements: A stable internet connection is required for video streaming. A device capable of accessing the Thinkific platform. Quiet space for contemplative practices and live sessions. Questions? For any questions about enrollment, payment plans, or program policies, please contact us at [email protected] or schedule a consultation call.