One Spirit Learning Alliance Programs: Fostering Interspiritual Growth and Compassionate Service

One Spirit Learning Alliance stands as a transformative community dedicated to interspiritual learning. Since its founding in 2001, One Spirit has been at the forefront of cultivating a world where reverence for the sacred connection between all life and a commitment to its flourishing guides our actions. Recognized for its comprehensive flagship programs, including the Interfaith/Interspiritual Seminary and the Interspiritual Companioning & Counseling (ISCC) program, One Spirit empowers spiritual changemakers with specialized skills to support and serve individuals and communities with greater understanding, love, and compassion.

The Need for Spiritually Grounded Leaders

As One Spirit approaches its 25th year, the need for spiritually grounded leaders, ministers, companions, and counselors is more critical than ever. The world is rapidly evolving, and with it, the desires and expectations of those seeking transformative education. To address these shifting needs with integrity, authenticity, and relevance, One Spirit temporarily paused enrollment for the Seminary and ISCC programs for the 2025/26 school year. This pause provided an opportunity for the community to reflect and discern how to best meet these evolving needs.

Relaunching Programs for the Future

Excitingly, One Spirit is relaunching its programs for the 2026/27 school year, with applications opening on March 15, 2026. This relaunch signifies a renewed commitment to providing cutting-edge spiritual education for agents of change in our world.

The Interspiritual Companioning & Counseling (ISCC) Program

One Spirit’s Interspiritual Companioning & Counseling program is a 9-month program meticulously crafted for individuals who feel a deep calling to support others with presence, wisdom, and heartfelt care. The program's core philosophy centers on cultivating sacred listeners, spiritual allies, and compassionate companions on the soul's journey, rather than simply training "fixers."

Rooted in Universal Values

The ISCC program is firmly rooted in the belief that all authentic spiritual paths elevate universal values such as compassion, love, and service. It invites participants to deepen their own spiritual grounding while acquiring the skills to hold space for others with profound presence and grace.

Transformational Learning Experiences

As a student in the ISCC program, you will engage in transformational learning experiences that are both heart-centered and intellectually rigorous. These experiences are designed to foster personal growth and equip you with the practical tools necessary for interspiritual counseling and spiritual companioning.

A Community of Shared Essence

One of the unique aspects of the ISCC program is the vibrant community it fosters. This community honors diversity of belief while simultaneously revealing the shared essence at the core of all traditions. It provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Professional Recognition

One Spirit is widely recognized as a respected leader in the field of Interfaith Interspiritual Companioning & Counseling, with over 20 years of demonstrated excellence in spiritual and transformative education. Earning a certificate from One Spirit demonstrates the professional skills and ethical standards of the highest quality, positioning graduates at the forefront of the field.

An Interspiritual Focus

The ISCC program distinguishes itself through its interspiritual focus. This approach provides students with the opportunity to support clients from any background, making it the most open, inclusive, and loving approach to spiritual care. It acknowledges that there is a core spirituality that transcends differences in beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences.

Foundational Competencies

Through One Spirit’s Interspiritual Companioning and Counseling program, you will develop five foundational 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

Areas of Study

In support of these five competencies, you will engage in several specific areas of study, including:

Understanding interspirituality
Maintaining a personal practice
Sacred inquiry
Listening skills
Shadow work
Cultural competency
Self-care practices

Supporting Your Practice

The ISCC program extends beyond skill development by providing guidance on applying your skills in various professional roles. It offers support for establishing a private practice and facilitating group work, empowering graduates to confidently pursue their chosen path.

Awareness and Engagement

A crucial aspect of interspiritual companioning and counseling is the ability to authentically engage clients with a perspective of wholeness, self-awareness, and connection. The ISCC program emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing ethical boundaries and power dynamics in companioning and counseling relationships.

Practical Client Tools

Students are introduced to a variety of practical tools and methods designed to assist those they companion. These tools support clients in:

Connecting with their inner wisdom, intuition, and authentic selves
Inviting Divine guidance and assistance
Deepening their experience of the Sacred
Embracing their wholeness

Handling Common Issues

The ISCC program equips students with the skills and confidence to handle common client scenarios effectively. This comprehensive training ensures that graduates are well-prepared to engage fully in a wide range of circumstances.

Read also: A Look at UCF's Spirit Splash

Real-World Experience

The ISCC program emphasizes the importance of applying knowledge in real-world settings. Students hone their interspiritual companioning and counseling skills through informative classes, engaging interactive exercises, reflective group discussions, and class practicums. They then apply these skills with pro bono clients under the skilled supervision of faculty, ensuring they graduate with valuable experience.

Skill Development

The program focuses on developing essential skills such as deep listening, facilitating spiritual growth, and embodying sacred presence and service for clients.

Spiritual Growth

Recognizing that personal spiritual growth is essential for effectively helping others, the ISCC program provides opportunities for students to flourish through reflective exercises and discussions, peer group meetings, private companioning sessions, and one-on-one mentoring.

Self-Care

The program emphasizes the importance of self-care to prevent burnout. Students learn how to serve sustainably and effectively by prioritizing their own well-being.

Community

One Spirit’s program fosters an intercultural spiritual community where people of different cultures develop authentic relationships through shared experience and open communication. This community exhibits openness, mutual respect, empathy, and a willingness to challenge assumptions, enabling students to hold space for their clients more effectively.

Certificate Requirements

Students are awarded a Certificate as an Interspiritual Companion and Counselor upon successful completion of the curriculum, concentration track, and final certificate review.

The Kaleidoscope Teaching Model

One Spirit has introduced a new teaching model called the Kaleidoscope approach. This model invites students into a dynamic, co-creative experience of spiritual formation, rooted in compassion and rigor. It fosters shared leadership, embodied wisdom, and a sense of belonging that transcends dogma.

Community and Affinity Groups

One Spirit is a vibrant and growing spiritual community, welcoming students, graduates, and the general public into sacred spaces of discovery. Community-led Affinity Groups offer current students and graduates a space where deep listening, safety, nurturance, and connection are celebrated. These groups include One Spirit in Recovery, One Spirit Ministers of Color Sacred Circle, and One Spirit in Action (OSIA), among others.

Affiliation of Ministry

Ordained ministers and certified ISCC counselors who choose One Spirit as their Assignment of Ministry or Counseling are considered to be “affiliated” with One Spirit.

Workshops and Events

One Spirit offers a variety of workshops and events to support students, affiliates, and the community. These workshops cover a wide range of topics, including contemplative practices, expressive arts, spirituality and addiction recovery, and addressing racism.

One example is "Sacred Sound Journey and the Art of the Mandala: Blending Contemplative Practices with Art and Sound" A nourishing and playful day of resting in the presence of the Divine. The expressive arts are a healing, transforming, and integrative force, and when navigated skillfully, they can lead to profound spiritual or psychological insights. Access the higher realm wisdom and healing of your guides and ancestors while tangibly experiencing a sense of interbeing with all consciousness. Reaching these states naturally requires us to journey inward, surrender the ego, and trust our interconnectedness to a power greater than ourselves. Unlock the power of your authentic voice and awaken your true creative potential in this transformative workshop. Discover the connection between breath, body, and expression as you strengthen your voice and relieve tension, opening yourself up to a more spontaneous and joyful way of being. Explore the intersection of spirituality and addiction recovery in this transformative workshop, where you'll learn practical techniques for incorporating spiritual principles into your daily life. Discover the power of conscious contact with the divine and connect with others who share a commitment to spiritual growth. Discover the transformative power of reconnecting with your soul's purpose and nurturing your presence in a mini-retreat offered by Diane and David. Join a transformative course that explores the origins and effects of racism.

Diversity and Inclusion

One Spirit is committed to diversity and welcomes all qualified adults to apply, regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, ethnic background, national origin, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Each applicant is assessed individually based on their alignment with the program’s interspiritual perspective and objectives, as well as their personal engagement with a deepening spiritual maturity.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate English fluency, as all course materials are in English. They also need access to a computer or laptop with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection for online classes and meetings via Zoom.

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