D O W N L O A D

Admissions Packet

Conscious Leadership Application
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Interfaith Seminary Application
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Recommendation Form  PDF 

Year One

The first year of the curriculum explores the religious and cultural heritage of the human family as a foundation for effective service in an increasingly diverse world. Each month the beliefs and practices of the various world religions will be explored through reading, lecture, discussion, and personal spiritual practices. The emphasis is on experiencing the particular flavor that each religion brings to the universal truths that lie at the heart of every tradition, as well as on developing a clear understanding of the unique aspects of each religion. Contemporary spiritualities, philosophies, healing practices, and psychology are also studied.

In addition, each student will explore their personal history and current relationship to the particular religious or spiritual tradition in which they were raised. Given that almost all of our students were raised in Western society, we also investigate the effect of the Western spiritual tradition on our ways of relating to ourselves and our communities. For many students the first year is an opportunity to make peace with their past or to deepen their spiritual life by incorporating new insights and practices into their daily life.

The opportunity to participate in a safe community of students and faculty deeply concerned about life’s most important questions is a highly meaningful experience for virtually all first year students. On the premise that our relationships with others are a reflection of our inner state, the first year curriculum provides an opportunity to build a foundation for skillful service and effective ministry by developing a more centered inner life and a greater level of awareness about the great diversity of the human experience.

Course of Study
Foundations of Interfaith Ministry - World Religions, Contemporary Wisdom, & Clarifying Your Personal Spirituality

• The Perennial Philosophy & The Interspiritual Approach
• The Spiral of Development
• Indigenous & Earth-Based Religions
• Eastern Religions
• Western Religions
• Contemporary Spiritualities
• Psychological Principles for Ministers: Conventional & Transpersonal Psychology
• Foundations of Interfaith Ministry: The Path of Skillful Service
(including Basic Counseling Skills; Spiritual Dimensions of Addiction; Death & Dying; Hospital Chaplaincy; Alternative Healing Modalities)

Requirements

• Because of our emphasis on experiential learning, first year requirements include participation in the classroom experience through either attendance or listening to audio recordings of the class sessions.
• Active participation in ongoing study groups (in person, conference call, or on-line).
• Volunteer service in the local community.
• Field visits to worship services or ceremonies of various religions and faith traditions, and attendance, where possible, of worship services offered by Interfaith worship communities.
• Active exploration of spiritual practice.
• Homework – Each month’s work includes assigned reading and written assignments, which provide a focus for academic study and structured self-reflection. Year-end assignments include a reflection paper on your spiritual journey.
• A four-day year-end Intensive where you will participate in a learning dialogue with classmates and staff members. All students, corresponding and attending, must participate in order to qualify for graduation.
• Over the course of the year, staff will assess and offer you feedback with respect to your personal, spiritual, and educational readiness to continue ministerial training.
• Electives – In addition to the regular coursework, students are required to take two electives, one in the area of personal enrichment and the other in the area of professional development.

Your first year training will provide a strong foundation in the Interspiritual perspective. You will study a variety of sacred texts and spiritual practices, the world’s religions, contemporary spiritualities, and various approaches to psycho-spiritual development and counseling. You will also be supported in the process of integrating your spiritual understanding into your daily life and your relationships with others.