WELCOME

A New Vision for the InterSpiritual Age

We live in a time of profound challenge and extraordinary possibility for the human family. The problems we face cannot be solved by the short-sighted and egocentric thinking that gave rise to these problems in the first place. What is needed is nothing less than an evolutionary leap to a more inclusive level of human consciousness. Even in the midst of the many difficulties we face on the planet, signs of this evolution have begun to appear, particularly in the emergence of a more inclusive, more integral vision of spirituality.

The Interfaith initiatives of the late twentieth century – the opening of dialogue and sharing of wisdom among leaders and practitioners of different religions – have flowered into an exciting new possibility for spiritual exploration and expression. The late Wayne Teasdale, author of The Mystic Heart, coined the term InterSpirituality to describe this new spiritual perspective. The InterSpiritual perspective draws from the deeper essence that underlies the spiritual treasures of every tradition, the essential spirituality found at the mystic heart of every great expression of faith.

One Spirit Learning Alliance and One Spirit Interfaith Seminary were founded to support just such an emergence, a deeper and more widespread focus on Essential Spirituality. We recognize that all authentic spiritual traditions, at their core, are committed to the common values of peace, tolerance, compassionate service, and love for all creation. Beneath the diversity of theological beliefs, rites, and observances lies a deeper unity of experience. While there is great value in learning what others believe about the Divine, it is only on the deeper ground of how we experience the Divine that we can recognize and embrace one another as brothers and sisters.

At One Spirit we draw from the resources of the great wisdom teachings, both ancient and modern, to increase our appreciation for the diversity of life and to nurture a direct experience of the unity that underlies it. We see ourselves participating in a great wave of unfolding, where more of us on the planet develop a consciousness worthy of our common humanity. In our families, in our communities, in our nation, on our planet, and in each of our hearts, the time has come for us to remember who we are, and to recognize how closely related we are to each other. Opening our minds and hearts to this deeper level of experience to inform and guide our inner journey is central to One Spirit’s vision of InterSpiritual education.

Rev. Diane Berke, Ph.D., Co-Founder & Spiritual Director
Rev. Michael Pergola, MBA, J.D., Co-Founder & President