Chaplaincy Institute

City: Berkeley

State: CA

Languages: English

Personalized Affiliation: Interfaith

Spiritual Spheres: Eco/Nature-based, Interfaith, Interspiritual, Spiritual but Not Religious

Affinity Groups:

Category: Formation/Training School

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 510-705-6745

Website: https://chaplaincyinstitute.org/

Focus Area: Group Spiritual Direction

Social Media:

Profile: NON-DIRECTIVE APPROACH Our Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate Program teaches a non-directive Interfaith approach. We do not believe in telling people how to think, what to believe, how they are supposed to feel, or what to do in any specific circumstances. We believe that the person who comes to us for direction is the expert on his or her own spiritual life, and given time and prayerful or meditative reflection, can discern what is best. Thus, we teach skills to help people discern their own deep inner wisdom and to live with a deeper sense of connection and alignment with Spirit. INTERFAITH SPIRITUAL DIRECTION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM This program is designed for those who feel called to a private practice in personal, one-on-one spiritual direction, and who anticipate working with clients from a variety of faith traditions. It is also well-suited for those who intend to do group spiritual direction, and for those of other helping professions who want to add a spiritual guidance perspective to their current work (such as psychotherapists, social workers, health practitioners, ministers and chaplains). Upon successful completion of the program, participants are qualified to provide spiritual direction in the context of their choosing. This offering is designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve as Spiritual Directors in an Interfaith capacity in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative course features a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of personal spirituality, and spiritual direction skills… all in a creatively infused and experiential context. ORIENTATION OF PROGRAM The techniques and concepts taught in this program rely on there being a Divine reality or a larger Self. How each student experiences and names this sacred presence will be quite diverse. Some students will call it “God,” or “Brahman,” “Buddha Nature,” or many other names, but however it is conceived of some acknowledgment and engagement with this Divine reality is essential. Students who do not believe in any Divine reality may be able to engage if they can rest in and trust a transcendent concept of Life seeking wholeness and harmony in all things. Students who do not believe in any Divine reality whatsoever will find this a difficult and frustrating program, since much of our practice depends on a deep trust, connection, and reliance on a Divine reality. If you have concerns about this, please contact the program director to discuss whether the program is right for you.