ISCC Program Overview
This program arose from the emergent and exciting interspiritual/interfaith movement, which recognizes that, although there are many faith traditions and spiritual paths, they share a common commitment to uplifting universal values of love, compassion, and service. Consequently, the ISCC curriculum is grounded in the understanding that these central values transcend differences in our spiritual beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences. Our goal is to support ISCC students in deepening their own spiritual beliefs and practices while also exploring the gifts offered by many faith and wisdom traditions.
We, therefore, welcome a diverse set of belief systems, religious traditions, and spiritual paths as we companion others through the uniqueness of their own spiritual journey, including:
those who are spiritual but not religious
those who primarily practice within a singular religious tradition
those who practice multiple traditions
those who are agnostic or atheist, and
those with no religious tradition
A Word on
Racial Diversity
and Decolonization
One Spirit is dedicated to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion as we work to become an anti-racist organization. This program is deeply dedicated to the ongoing work of anti-racism and decolonization within the program’s curriculum and features. We make space for and encourage discussions of anti-racism, diversity, belonging, inclusion, and radical equity.
Nigerian poet-philosopher Bayo Akomolafe encourages us to engage in this work with a very specific kind of urgency:
“one which comes from the realization that the system is not the cause of our problems, it is a consequence of our separation from each other. It is a consequence of our complicity with our own destruction. In other words, we are the system we fight against."
Our Learning Model
Video Conference
Through ISCC’s professional development program, students participate in heart-centered, intellectually stimulating learning experiences that not only enhance their skills in the art of Interspiritual Companioning/Counseling but also actively nourish their spiritual lives.
Specifically, our educational methods:
Emphasize experiential learning that enables students to directly apply and hone interspiritual companioning skills through interactive exercises, reflective group discussions, and supervised practice with pro-bono clients.
Incorporate a blend of live online classes and eLearning modules that include pre-recorded video and audio presentations, individual and group assignments, and written homework. (All ISCC classes and group meetings are conducted via Zoom.)
Encourage students’ ongoing spiritual exploration and personal growth via reflective exercises and discussion, peer group meetings, private companioning sessions, and one-on-one supervision.
Establish clear standards for assessing student progress toward learning goals.
Prioritize self-care as a necessary practice for Interspiritual Companions.
Promote shared accountability for ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of the program (e.g., course content, communications, the composition of ISCC’s faculty, student body, practitioners, and guest presenters).
Create opportunities for building an intercultural spiritual community, whereby people of different cultures develop authentic relationships via the sharing of their experiences and ideas in ways that exhibit openness, mutual respect, empathy, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.
ISCC is offered fully by live online videoconference bringing together students from around the world. With your computer or hand-held device and an Internet connection, you are present with faculty and other students, sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and participating in real-time. Learn More.
Curriculum
“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.”
— Marian Wright Edelman
Focus Areas
The ISCC program is designed to support students in developing 5 foundational interspiritual companioning/counseling competencies:
Commitment to Personal Interspirituality
Embodiment of Sacred Presence and Service
Active Respect and Inclusion of Others
Cultivation of Personal Ethical Behavior
Facilitation of Spiritual Growth
Specific areas of study include:
Essential Interspiritual Companioning/
Counseling Skills:
Students will learn key concepts and practices that are fundamental to serving as a skilled Interspiritual Companion/Counselor, such as understanding interspirituality, maintaining a personal practice, Sacred inquiry and listening, shadow work, cultural competence, and self care. These practices will be integrated throughout ISCC, with the aim of promoting continual learning and skill development.
Awareness and Engagement Lenses:
Students will explore what it means for Interspiritual Companions to maintain a perspective of wholeness, cultivate and lead with self-awareness, build authentic connections while maintaining safety and appropriate ethical boundaries, and effectively manage power dynamics in companioning relationships.
Common Issues in Interspiritual Companioning/Counseling:
Students will explore issues that often arise for those who seek spiritual companionship —e.g., life transitions, relationships as healing ground, grief and loss, forgiveness, work-related stress, seeking clarity about one’s purpose. Students will also engage in practices that can be used to companion others in supportive, culturally responsive ways when these issues emerge.
Practical Tools in Interspiritual Companioning/Counseling:
Students will be introduced to a variety of tools and methods designed to assist those they companion in connecting with their inner wisdom, intuition, and authentic selves, inviting Divine guidance and assistance, deepening their experience of the Sacred, and embracing their wholeness. In addition, ISCC will explore how interspiritual companioning skills can be applied in various professional roles and provide guidance for those seeking to establish a private practice and/or facilitate group work.
Requirements for Completion
ISCC students are awarded a Certificate as an Interspiritual Companion/Counselor after the successful completion of:
A 9.5-month Core Curriculum that includes:
23 live classes held every other Saturday, where students engage in interactive discussions, faculty demonstrations, individual and group exercises, and supervised practicums.
eLearning modules featuring video and audio presentations, reflective exercises, and homework assignments that prepare students for each live class.
3 credits or more of One Spirit electives to deepen areas of interest
Monthly peer study group meetings.
Monthly supervision and mentoring with an ISCC Supervisor.
Participation in individual interspiritual companioning/counseling sessions facilitated by an ISCC-approved practitioner.
Development and maintenance of an ongoing self-care plan.
Conducting interspiritual companioning/counseling sessions 1-2x per month with assigned pro-bono clients.
2. One Concentration Track
A Concentration Track allows for deeper development of Interspiritual Companioning/Counseling skills in a chosen area. Each concentration track consists of 6 live class sessions and corresponding eLearning modules, with course topics selected based on input from One Spirit students, alumni, and faculty regarding current learning needs.
For the 2023/2024 cohort, we will offer three Concentration options:
Companioning Mother Earth:
We now understand that there is a spiritual dimension to our present ecological crisis. For too long we have neglected or viewed Nature as a resource to do with as we saw fit. A new worldview is dawning upon us, though: We are integral to the health and well-being of all life. How then, do we reconnect with what we feel we have lost, or never connected with in the first place? How can we recognize the interconnectedness of all life? This concentration will provide an experiential journey into Nature as Spirit manifest in the world. Eco-Spirituality will guide us in seeing the cosmic journey we are all on, so that we may be spiritual guides companioning others seeking to realize this journey.Spiritual Activism:
In this concentration, participants will explore the history, diverse concepts, and practical application of Spiritual Activism. Through a multicultural lens, the exploration will examine its origins, the relationship with standard forms of faith and spirituality, and how it has evolved since the late 19th century through to the present. Participants will explore the art of Interspiritual companioning/counseling through this lens and consider how spiritual activism will contribute to societal transformation, whether through a personal context, 1:1 companion/counseling, or working in group settings.Companioning within the Workplace:
The workplace has, for many, become a profane space led by a singular, bottom-line focus. We have a sense that discussions of faith are not welcome (at best) or illegal (at worst). And yet, inherent within the gathering of humans is the creative potential of the sacred. This concentration examines the variety of ways that are emerging within the workplace to engage with the fullness of the spiritual lives of workers. During this concentration, we will discuss the various intersections between spiritual companioning and elements of the workplace (e.g., management theory, diversity, working in teams, leadership, influencing, sustainability, mentoring, etc.) as well as our own personal development as spiritually mature leaders working to navigate the ineffable.
Please Note:
Current ISCC students have the option of enrolling in more than one concentration track at an additional cost. See the Tuition section for more information.
Past graduates of ISCC (or another qualified Spiritual Direction program) are also invited to apply for enrollment in one or more Concentration Tracks to support their ongoing personal and professional development. For more information, visit the One Spirit Workshops page.
3. Review and assessment by program faculty will be conducted to ensure satisfactory fulfillment of ISCC competencies.
