Stephen Hatch

Stephen Hatch, M.A., describes himself as a contemplative teacher, thinker, photographer and writer. For thirty years he has lived as a "Worldly Monk," combining family life with meditation, silence, solitary time hiking and camping in the wilds, a simple lifestyle, and mindfulness.

He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Colorado State University and an M.A. from Iliff School of Theology, where he specialized in Mysticism. In the 1980s he trained with Thomas Keating, then worked for several years with Contemplative Outreach, the organization Keating established to teach centering prayer. He currently teaches Contemplative Christianity at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.

Stephen practices Wilderness Mysticism, a wisdom tradition he developed with roots in Christian Mysticism. He also considers himself "Interspiritual," drawing on contemplative insights from many traditions, especially Buddhism and Native American Spirituality, and he names Hinduism, Sufism, Taoism, Contemplative Judaism and American nature writers as further influences. He believes in a disciplined life and in building spiritual practices that form a "container" or "lens" through which the Sacred can be more readily experienced.

He has lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, since 1976. His site also offers his photography, including photo quote cards.