At the Haden Institute we integrate spirituality and Jungian teachings in our Spiritual Direction Training Course. We offer participants information and skill development through brilliant lectures, readings, reflections, small group work, and case studies.
While our roots are in the western Christian traditions, we also learn from religious mystics, spiritual practices and beliefs from a variety of faith traditions. Depth psychology is a spiritual as well as a psychological paradigm, so at Haden we also learn about spirituality directly from the experience of the human psyche. Most importantly, Haden graduates are trained to journey with spiritual seekers from all religious traditions.
Imagine . . . immersing yourself in poetry, fairy tales, contemplative practices, Celtic, Desert, Natural, and Creation spiritualities. Imagine how useful it would be to learn the practicalities of the Enneagram and Jungian typology. Imagine delving into the intricacies of transference and counter-transference, shadow and complex identification, rootedness and freedom in religion and spirituality. Imagine learning about and applying the wisdom of the mystics, Jungian dream work and psychology, and having the tools to provide spiritual direction with the chronically ill and the dying. Imagine using creative expression to integrate the learnings, and practicing embodiment exercises to complete the mind, body, spirit connection. This is what the Spiritual Direction Training Courses offer.
Each intensive includes lectures and discussion with faculty and mentors, as well as staff-led case study reflections, prayer, silence and meditation, socials, and creative embodiment practices.
Mentor-guided small group meetings, reading and writing assignments between intensives enhance learning and practice. Small group interaction during the intensives create a close-knit support community throughout the program. Faculty members rotate through the intensives, allowing participants to experience the entire faculty during the course.
Our Spiritual Direction Training course is offered Online, and in both North Carolina and Canada when in-person gatherings are safe again. The online course curriculum is the same as the US curriculum. The course offered at Mt. Carmel is unique in many ways. One primary difference is the number of onsite intensives, Canada has 4 intensives total, each for 7 days; the US has six intensives, each for 4 days. Canada welcomes new participants every two years, which means both the large group and the small groups are together for the entire course. There is a more traditional Catholic feel to the course in Canada, and teachings have a focus on Carmelite and Ignatian spirituality and include specific presentations on John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. The next entry opportunity for the Canadian course is in October 2020. The October intensive will be held online.
Psycho-spiritual education in the Jungian, mystical, and Christian traditions is the program foundation. Participants develop knowledge and understanding of the art and practice of spiritual direction in contemporary spiritual life by learning:
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Mystical and contemplative practices of Christianity and other ancient religious and spiritual traditions
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Seminal ideas from Carl Jung’s teachings, and their application to the personal and spiritual growth process
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Dream work, including the function of dreams, and how to use dream work with both individuals and groups
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Tools for self-discovery and transformation such as Myers–Briggs Type Indicator and the Enneagram
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Spiritual literacy and interfaith awareness
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Contemplative and creative embodiment practices as tools for personal discernment
“Maybe that is the difference between pastoral counselors and spiritual directors. We go to counselors when we want help getting out of the caves. We go to directors when we are ready to be led farther in.” — Barbara Brown Taylor “Learning to Walk in the Dark”
Those who successfully complete the course work will be awarded a certificate of completion.