Compassionate
Companions in Life & Death
Module
One: August 24-28, 2009
Module Two: February 22-26, 2010
Module Three: August 23-27, 2010
Module Four: February 21-25, 2011
An
official application for the 2009-2011 Apprenticeship
will be sent January 2008.
Please
be advised that all 4 of the Sacred
Art of Living & Dying Units are required prior
to acceptance in the Anamcara Apprenticeship.
And please visit our Calendar/Registration
page for upcoming dates and locations
if you still require these Units.
The
Evolution of the Sacred Art of Living Center
Since
1998, Sacred Art of Living Center has evolved to meet
the spiritual needs of many persons through a variety
of workshops and programs.
Based
on the vision of the founding directors, Richard and
Mary Groves, a pivotal component of Sacred Art of
Living Center’s mission statement is: “The
Sacred Art of Living and Dying is a compelling teacher
of life’s most important priorities.”
More than 10,000 persons have participated in the
Sacred Art of Living and Dying study units. Program
participants include a wide range of health care professionals,
educators, clergy, and the general public from around
the world.
As
graduates from the Sacred Art of Living and Dying
series continue to make a positive impact on society’s
culture regarding death and dying, there is an increased
demand for creative ways to share the content of its
program with new audiences. Students of the Sacred
Art of Living and Dying consistently express
a need to provide more opportunities for in-depth
training in the tools and skills introduced at the
program study units.
The
directors and staff of the Sacred Art of Living Center
have discerned that the focus for its next chapter of
life is a deeper and expanded development of the Sacred
Art of Living and Dying mission because we believe that:
-
Sacred
Art of Living Center is in a unique position to
provide national leadership in the training, certification
and delivery of spiritual caregiving at the end
of life.
-
-
There
is no comparable organization or movement in the
English-speaking world addressing spirituality in
end-of-life care from a holistic and inter-faith
approach.
To
summarize, “We believe that Sacred Art of Living
and Dying is the work which Sacred Art of Living Center
‘has been given to do’”.
Consequently,
the principal energy and resources of Sacred Art of
Living Center will now be dedicated to the development
and implementation of The Anamcara Project. All other
programs provided by the Sacred Art of Living Center
will be in direct service to the training and on-going
support of anamcara.
Ancient
Lineage - Anamcara
(pronounced ahn-im-KAHR-uh) is an old Gaelic word
meaning “soul friend.” In ancient times
the Celts created the role of Anamcara as a life counselor
and spiritual guide. By the 6th century AD, Christian
women and men continued to develop the anamcara tradition
inherited from their Druid ancestors. For centuries
these anamcara became mentors and companions to persons
from all walks of life who yearned for a deeper relationship
with the Divine. As the legendary Brigit of Ireland
wrote, “Anyone without an anamcara is like a
body without a head.”
Spiritual
Midwives - By
the year 1000, Irish anamcara extended their influence
throughout the mainland of Europe, especially among
the newly established hospices. Anamcara earned a
reputation for their extraordinary skills as spiritual
midwives to the dying, especially in diagnosing and
relieving spiritual pain. The earliest Western hospice
tradition called the ars moriendi or sacred art of
dying owes much to the spiritual legacy of the anamcara.
Universal
Spirituality - We
admire these extraordinary soul friends who brought
peace and comfort to countless generations of our
ancestors, regardless of culture, social status or
religious belief. It is worth noting that centuries
ago - when intolerance was the norm - Jews, Christians,
and Muslims co-collaborated to apply the wisdom of
the anamcara in caring for persons at the end of life.
Part of the genius of the anamcara tradition is that
one does not have to be Celtic or subscribe to any
particular spiritual practice to benefit from its
wisdom. The insights of this great tradition transcend
- yet respect - culture and spirituality.
Living
Tradition - Anamcara
represent a refreshing option to “assembly line
spirituality” and the alienating and depersonalizing
tendencies in modern society. The soul-friend is not
interested in immediate results, but commits to be
unconditionally present for the needs their companion.
Anamcara do not offer easy answers or a quick fix
to spiritual suffering. Instead, these spiritual coaches
provide a mirror back to their companions in hopes
of nurturing a deeper relationship with the Great
Mystery.
Why
Today?
Today’s anamcara stands on the shoulders of
a great tradition. Our generation is experiencing
a renaissance in the world's great contemplative traditions
including Celtic spirituality. There is a renewed
interest to apply the wisdom of our ancestors for
today’s needs. In a pluralistic society there
can be many ways to offer this unique kind of spiritual
support for persons who are in a state of change or
crisis.
The
anamcara traditionally had dual yet inter-related
roles:
To
offer one-on-one support using the classical tools of
spiritual discernment.
In
our days more and more people are seeking assistance
from those who are a few steps ahead on their spiritual
journey. The anamcara is a true soul friend who honors
the uniqueness of each person’s path. The role
of spiritual director or companion reflects a similar
tradition.
For
many people a religious belief system provides guidance
when encountering “dark nights of the soul.”
The anamcara builds on and never competes with a person’s
faith tradition. For some persons, spirituality is
experienced outside of an institutional structure,
but it is nonetheless a key for providing meaning
and direction in life. The anamcara is trained to
offer support that is tailored to each individual’s
needs - free from personal agenda.
To
be available as a spiritual midwife for the dying.
The
anamcara tradition has always been associated with
end-of-life care. Modern medicine has eliminated
much of the physical pain associated with the dying
process, but our ancestors also had access to a
rich heritage of practical tools to address the
unique kinds of emotional and spiritual distress
that show up at the end of life.
The
anamcara is trained to know how to apply the “wisdom
of the ages,” both to complement the professional
health caregiver and support the needs of each individual.
Because the anamcara believes that death is not an
end but an opening to another state of awareness,
there are unparalleled opportunities for healing and
hope at the end of life.
Traditionally the two roles of the anamcara were interconnected:
in other words, a soul-friend relationship often spanned
a person’s lifetime. Most people today find
themselves at the end of life without a previous relationship
with a spiritual companion. As this tradition renews
itself in our times, there are creative possibilities
for introducing an anamcara throughout the cycles
of living and dying.
Four
Spiritual Foundations For Anamcara
The
Anamcara Project upholds the following time-tested
criteria for persons who are serious about becoming
anamcara practitioners. True to its lineage, the Sacred
Art of Living Center is as interested in the personal
and spiritual development of anamcara as in theory
and skills.
Soulfulness
- The
spirituality that undergirds the work of anamcara
is rooted in the common language of the world’s
great mystical traditions. Mysticism is a universal
approach to Mystery that both respects the wisdom
of the ages but also requires people to trust their
own experience. A principal requirement for anamcara
is the commitment to some form of daily contemplative
practice. All spiritual traditions teach that quiet
listening enables us to better understand the working
of Spirit in our own lives before attempting to guide
others.
Community
- Historically
the anamcara was never a sole practitioner but remained
connected to a community of spiritual support and
on-going formation. The Sacred Art of Living Center,
founder and sponsor of the Sacred Art of Living and
Dying series, is committed to providing a venue of
continuing education and mentorship for anamcara practitioners.
Although its offices and staff are physically located
in Bend, Oregon, The Anamcara Project is a virtual
international community of prayer and network of support
for the vital work of anamcara in our day.
Skillfullness
- The
anamcara tradition has a powerful reputation because
of the tools which our ancestors tested over centuries
of experience. The Sacred Art of Living and Dying
series teaches only those skills that are validated
by contemporary psychology and, wherever possible,
supported by medical research. The Anamcara tradition
never imposes a standardized solution to spiritual
suffering. Instead, The Anamcara Project teaches basic
principles that anyone can access in providing individualized
support and guidance. All program tracks offer historical
foundation and theory for anamcara practitioners-as
well as opportunities for supervised, hands-on practice.
Mentorship
- No
two sets of soul-friends look alike; however, all
anamcara practitioners are required to maintain an
on-going relationship with a mentor-supervisor. A
commitment to continuing spiritual formation and regular
opportunities for supervision are the key to a fruitful
and ethical anamcara practice. The Sacred Art of Living
and Dying program will be an on-going laboratory for
applying the anamcara tradition in a variety of formal
and informal settings. Mentors will coach, challenge
and encourage anamcara as they apply this tradition
to real-life situations.
Drawing on the wisdom of our ancestors, Sacred Art
of Living Center has developed The Anamcara Project.
Two distinct but interrelated program series mirror
the dual role of the traditional Anamcara: the sacred
art of living and the sacred art of dying.
Sacred
Art of Living - Sacred
Art of Living Center offers education and training
in the classical spiritual tradition of action and
contemplation. Three areas of study that connect spirituality
and everyday life include:
-
-
-
Men’s
and Women’s
Rites of Passage: life-transforming vision quest
retreats
Sacred
Art of Living and Dying - Anyone,
regardless of profession, spiritual background, or
previous experience is welcome to participate in the
core study units offered through the Sacred
Art of Living and Dying series. For persons called
to support others on their spiritual journey at the
end of life, two additional levels of training and
supervision invite persons to become Anamcara end-of-life
practitioners. All levels of the Sacred Art of Living
and Dying series teach practical skills based on the
time-tested lessons of history-but applied practically
to today’s audience and needs. The Sacred Art
of Living and Dying is also based on the ancient wisdom
that, for all of the support an Anamcara may provide,
it is the dying who become their teachers at the end
of life.
Spiritual
Practice - Soul
friendship is ultimately rooted in spiritual practice
rather than a profession or institutional ministry.
In other words, there is no formal governing body
or accreditation for licensing Anamcara. Traditionally
Anamcara were mentored by elders whom the community
recognized as possessing special gifts of spiritual
discernment. Anamcara are called to be life-long students
of the Inner Life and companions of the Inner Journey
for others.
Standards
for Practitioners - Based
on twenty-five years of training and experience in end-of-life
care, Sacred Art of Living Center has established baseline
standards for the education and practice of today’s
Anamcara. In addition to learning about the history,
skills and challenges of this work, The Anamcara Project
offers more intensive levels of practical training and
mentorship. Not everyone who participates in Sacred
Art of Dying programs is necessarily interested in the
formal designation of Anamcara. However, all participants
in a Sacred Art of Dying course will be invited to appropriately
apply Anamcara practices within their life circumstances.
Following
the classical pattern of formation, a person interested
in the anamcara tradition can choose to be involved
in three levels of education and training.
Student
Anamcara: Core Education
Four
study units provide the historical and theoretical
foundation for the Anamcara:
-
Unit
I: Understanding Spiritual Pain
-
Unit
II: Diagnosing Spiritual Pain
-
Unit
III: Healing Spiritual Pain
-
Unit
IV: Transforming Spiritual Pain
Each
unit is a workshop-retreat that offers an ideal way
to introduce the general public, the incidental caregiver,
and the health care professional to the anamcara tradition.
While there is an advantage to taking these education
units in sequence, anyone is welcome to participate
in the parts and order of the series that they find
helpful.
Apprentice
Anamcara: Practical Skills
The Anamcara Project includes an apprenticeship program
that offers intensive Training Modules corresponding to
each of the core study units. Modules provide a supervised,
hands-on experience of the most frequently-used anamcara
tools. Participants deepen and apply the time-tested skills
of the anamcara tradition under the mentorship of nationally
renowned anamcara instructor. The
Anamcara Apprentice enters into a discernment process
to create a real-life Practicum Project for the application
of tools from the anamcara tradition.
.
In
depth Apprenticeship Workshop Modules include:
Master Anamcara: Lifelong Mentorship
Sacred Art of Living Center invites graduates from the
Sacred Art of Living and Dying Apprenticeship series
to become anamcara practitioners in a more structured
and supervised application of the tradition. The Anamcara
Project assists in the creation of appropriate venues
for anamcara practitioners as well as on-going mentorship
and supervision. Sacred Art of Living Center will bestow
the designation of anamcara only on persons who have
fulfilled the requirements of the Master Anamcara track
or its equivalent.
Areas
of specialization for anamcara practitioners include
but are not limited to:
-
Health
Care Residency Programs
-
Faith
Community Ministries
-
Sacred
Art of Living and Dying in the Community, School
and Workplace
Frequenty
Asked Questions
What does the word “Anamcara” mean?
Anamcara (pronounced ahn-im-KAHR-uh)
is an old Gaelic word meaning “soul friend.”
In ancient times the Celts created the role of
anamcara as a life counselor and spiritual guide.
For centuries these anamcara became mentors and
companions to persons from all walks of life who
yearned for a deeper relationship with the Divine.
What does this program prepare one to do?
First and foremost to be a genuine human being
who is interested in walking the spiritual journey
with another person. The anamcara training is
challenging in its approach to the dynamics of
human relationships and the spiritual life. Certain
skills and spiritual ‘tools’ are taught
and applied under the supervision of trained mentors.
The ancamcara is expected to cultivate and be
faithful to a regular contemplative spiritual
practice. Finally, the modern anamcara, reflecting
the wisdom of our ancestors, is called to be a
special friend to the dying. While not expected
to be a health care or hospice professional, the
anamcara must demonstrate the capacity to be an
advocate and soul-friend, particularly at the
end of life.
Why is this called a “project”?
Because it is just that! For centuries Westerners
have had few models for this important spiritual
work. The ancient yet relevant anamcara lineage
will have to be re-created even as we are “forming
ourselves” into this tradition. Sacred Art
of Living Center has already invested many years
of wisdom, experience, energy, resources, and
discernment in proposing this venture. The interest
and hunger for its practical application confirms
our inner knowing – that the time is ripe
for this work!
Who sponsors this program?
The Sacred Art of Living Center for Spiritual
Formation is the sole sponsor of The Anamcara
Project
Who
teaches the courses in the Anamcara Project?
The teachers for the Core Education Units [known
as the Sacred Art of
Living and Dying] are Richard and Mary Groves,
founding directors of Sacred Art of Living Center.
The teachers for the Anamcara Training Modules
will be pulled from the ranks of notable mentors/teachers
from around the world. Instructors include a wide
range of disciplines, cultural backgrounds and
spiritual traditions. These and many other nationally
recognized teachers and trainers are anxious to
see this Project launched.
Is the Anamcara Project affiliated with any specific
faith tradition?
True to its mission and philosophy, Sacred Art
of Living Center seeks to create common ground
between all spiritual traditions. Our work is
intrinsically inter-cultural and inter-faith in
nature. Students who have attended courses offered
by Sacred Art of Living Center over the years
have also discovered that, as we include and learn
from all sincere seekers, we also draw in a particular
way from the history and roots of the Center's
own Judeo-Christian heritage. This is always done
in a way that is respectful, non-exclusive and
non-proselytizing.
Can the Core Education Units [Sacred Art of Dying]
be taken in any order?
While there is some advantage to taking the education
units in sequence, anyone is welcome to participate
in the parts and order of the series that they
find helpful.
Can anyone participate in the Core Education Units
without committing to the entire anamcara training
program?
Yes, we strongly encourage any interested person
to attend any of the educational units as a student
of the sacred art of living and dying. Participants
will gain much in terms of understanding the nature
of the spiritual journey and how it relates to
real life situations.
How does one become an Anamcara Apprentice?
By enrolling in the Practical Skills Modules offered
by the Sacred Art of Living Center. You can register
online here.
What
are the prerequisites for taking a Practical Skills
Module?
In order to enroll in a Practical Skills Module,
you must have taken the corresponding Core Education
Unit. For example, in order to take Practical
Skills Module I: “Tools for Understanding
Spiritual Pain,” you must have previously
taken Core Education Unit I: “Understanding
Spiritual Pain.”
Do
I have to take all of the Core Education Units
prior to taking a Practical Skills Module?
Not necessarily. You need only have taken the
Core Education Unit corresponding to that Practical
Skills Module. For example, once you take Core
Education Unit I: “Understanding Spiritual
Pain,” you may then take Practical Skills
Module I: “Tools for Understanding Spiritual
Pain.” If we have more applicants than space,
however, persons who have taken all four of the
Sacred Art of Dying units will have priority.
When
will the Practical Skills Modules be offered?
Practical Skills Module I: “Tools for Understanding
Spiritual Pain,” will be offered August
21-25, 2006. Subsequent modules will be offered
every six months: Module II will be February 26
- March 2, 2007, Module III August 20-24, 2007,
and Module IV February 25-29, 2008. The plan is
for each specific module to take place on two-year
cycles; e.g., Practical Skills Module I will first
be offered in August 2006, and then next in August
2008. See the program calendar for specific details.
Where will the Practical Skills Modules be held?
Practical Skills Modules will be held at Eagle
Crest Resort near Sacred Art of Living Center’s
home in Bend, Oregon. We are considering extending
the modules to additional distant learning locations
(for example, using audio/video uplinks), but
there are many practical considerations prior
to taking such a step.
How will attendance be limited in the Practical
Skills Module?
Due to the nature of the Practical Skills Modules
and the importance of the small groups to the
process [known in the Celtic tradition as ‘Celi
De’] attendance will necessarily be limited.
The exact number has not yet been determined,
but we are working with an estimated capacity
of 150 participants per module.
How will you determine who can attend the Practical
Skills Modules?
At this point, we are accepting registrants into
the Practical Skills Modules. An application process
is required.
Will there be a formal application process?
Yes. Refer to the Application
for Anamcara Apprentices.
If I don't sign up for the first Anamcara Training
Module in August 2006, can I register for a later
module?
No. The Anamcara Apprenticeship is a two year
process. The next program cycle will begin in
Summer 2008.
What
will apprentices be required to do in addition
to attending the Practical Skills Modules?
Anamcara Apprentices will be required to develop
a real-life practicum project in order to apply
the skills and lessons of the sacred art of living
and dying in their profession, community or faith
tradition. Apprentices will work as small communities
and under the supervision of a trained Anamcara
Supervisor.
What constitutes a Pilot Site for the Anamcara
Project?
Some apprentices may work in officially designated
Pilot Sites for the Anamcara Project. Official
sites agree to meet the criteria established for
the Anamcara Project including an enhanced supervision
program. (See Pilot Sites for more details.)
What will be the process for choosing Program
Animators, mentioned in other Anamcara Project
documents?
We know that completion of all four Sacred Art
of Living and Dying Core Education units is a
criterion, as well as experience in working with
dying and/or grief as well as other personal and
professional considerations.
What are the responsibilities for being a Program
Animator?
The responsibilities will involve additional training
provided through Sacred Art of Living Center,
and then working with a small group of student
apprentices known as a ‘Celi De’ --
towards the development and completion of a practicum
project that will both enhance their learning
and deepen the Center’s body of knowledge.
Program Animators will receive their training
in that cost and a 30% discount on the Training
Modules.
Will someone be able to attend [or audit] a Professional
Skills Module without doing a practicum project?
No. The nature of this apprenticeship requires
full participation.
What
about the third level of Anamcara training known
as the Master Anamcara?
This final dimension of the Anamcara Project will
flow out of the Apprenticeship training. In time
we envision the Sacred Art of Living Center as
a “think tank” and laboratory for
as many practical applications of the Anamcara
tradition as there are needs. Eventually some
persons will have been trained and want to respond
to the call to be an anamcara practitioner. Our
dream is that a variety of health care institutions,
faith communities, schools and workplaces will
be the locus for this work. Together, we have
the opportunity to re-create an ancient spiritual
wisdom tradition for the needs of our time and
communities!
How do the former Sacred Art of Dying “Certificate
of Achievement” and “Diploma of Mastery”
programs relate to the Anamcara Project?
The Certificate of Achievement and Diploma of
Mastery programs are being retired, but we strongly
encourage students who are already enrolled in
them to finish their work by June 1, 2006 and
then become part of the Anamcara Project. Certainly
this earlier work could be an important foundation
to the Anamcara Apprenticeship track.
Can current or past Mastery/Certificate practicum
projects be rolled over to apply to the Anamcara
Module requirements?
No. These are two separate programs. We encourage
students in the current programs to finish the
work they are doing—it has inherent value!
The Anamcara Project work will be based on further
training and will look quite different from the
Certificate/Mastery work.
What
is the structure for the supervised internship?
Will it entail travel to Bend in between classes?
The structure for the internship revolves around
the Circle of Support or 'Celi De' groups which
will be clustered geographically - not requiring
addition travel to Central Oregon.
If a student has taken all four Sacred Art of
Dying units, is there a discount on Practical
Skills Module I?
No—only those who have completed the Sacred
Art of Living and Dying Diploma of Mastery Program
will receive a $150 discount on their first module.
Can current students, with money in the Certificate
of Achievement or Diploma of Mastery program roll
over all or part of that money into Anamcara Module
payments?
No, the two programs are distinct, and need to
be thought of as separate programs. SALC will
honor our commitment to you as a student in these
programs. You must finish your work by June 1,
2006.
How
do I ask about other concerns or issues regarding
the Anamcara Project?
The best way to initiate communication with the
Sacred Art of Living Center is through e-mail
on our contact page.
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