

Step 1: Meet John Chaffee
After twenty years of pastoring in churches, camps, and prisons, my calling expanded beyond conventional church work—helping the tired pastor, the one who left the church, and the one still quietly questioning in the pew.
Formed by Merton, Nouwen, Barth, and the Desert Mothers and Fathers, I write, teach, offer spiritual direction/classes, and lead retreats on the Christian mystics and contemplative wisdom, with one hope: to walk with you through the dark night, not around it.
Step 2: Join My Free Newsletter or Substack
Somewhat counterintuitively, I choose not to participate in social media. That said, email is the best way to stay in touch!
“The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.”
– Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic Priest
Step 3: Listen to a Podcast or Get the Most Recent Book
Step 4: Join an Upcoming Class
“For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.”
– Thomas Merton, 20th Century Trappist Monk


Step 5: You can also join my Patreon community for the Book Club as well as excerpts of books I am writing.
“There is no other light to guide you except that which burns in your heart.”
– St. John of the Cross, 16th Century Spanish Mystic






