The Haden Institute

828-693-9292
Fax 828-693-1919
PO Box 1793
Flat Rock, NC 28731

Spiritual Direction Training - USA
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main purpose of The Haden Institute Spiritual Direction Training?

The purpose is four-fold:

  1. To train and certify people to be Spiritual Directors in the Jungian, Mystical, Dream, Christian Tradition;
  2. To help professionals and others to integrate the spiritual dimension into their chosen vocation;
  3. To honor lay as well as ordained Spiritual Directors; &
  4. To offer Spiritual Direction Training that is open to the wisdom of all faith traditions, east and west.
 
2. What are the common topics covered?
Ancient forms of spirituality relevant to our day; spirituality of the mystics throughout the ages; grounding in individual and group spiritual direction, spiritual discernment, contemplation, the use of dreams and Jungian psychology in spiritual direction, care of soul/mind/body. For a fuller listing see the rest of the information shown on this site.
3. Who is this training for?

Lay and ordained of all denominations who feel a call to the spiritual direction ministry; spiritual directors who wish to broaden their skills; therapists and other professionals who wish to integrate the spiritual dimension with their chosen vocation; members of AA, hospice, Cursillo, gay and other groups who wish to deepen a focused spiritual direction ministry.

4. Why use the term “Spiritual Direction” which seems archaic, hierarchical, male-dominated and advice laden?
“Soul Friend” or “Spiritual Friend” or “Spiritual Guide” does sound softer, less advice giving, and more accepting of the other person as a fellow traveler. These are good terms which The Haden Institute does encourage using. There was much consideration in the beginning just to drop the term “Spiritual Direction” and use something else. But it is a known and honored tradition in Christian history. It is more widely and spontaneously used than any term that has been proposed to replace it. Also the word “spiritual” does tell us that the basic concern is not with the externals, but rather the inner life; and, “Direction” does suggest something more than advice giving and problem-solving. It implies that the talk will not be casual and aimless, but one which seeks contact with and the direction of The Spirit. So, with some misgiving, we do use the term with boldness and with the hope of moving it even more into the goodness of its core tradition.
5. Does The Haden Institute Spiritual Direction Training offer certification?
Yes. It is not a college/university or state certification, but those who successfully complete the training are awarded a diploma certifying that they have completed the two-year training in Spiritual Direction at The Haden Institute. Those who already have a professional degree or state certification can use this practice in their vocation. Others can offer Spiritual Direction under the auspices of a church or other organization or offer it separately as spiritual consulting/guidance, not therapy.
6. Who receives a Haden Institute Plaque?

Persons who attend six Intensives receive The Haden Institute Plaque.

7.Who can receive a Certificate?

Participants, who attend six Intensives, complete all their work and have had a final interview with the director or his appointee will be awarded a Certificate from The Haden Institute.

8.How long is the program?
The Spiritual Direction Training Program is a two-year program, which includes six on-site Intensives and distance learning.
9. When can participants enter the program?
Participants can enter the program in March or September of any year. The group with which you enter will be your core group for the two years.
10. How often do the intensives meet?
There are three Intensives per year, usually in January, April and September. If you miss an Intensive, due to sickness or other reasons, you can make it up by attending a later Intensive. The Intensives normally begin late afternoon Thursday and conclude with breakfast Monday.
11. Where are the Intensives held?
Intensives are usually held at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. Kanuga is one of the best conference center settings in the U.S. It is located on a 1400-acre campus in the North Carolina mountains with a lake, hiking trails, tennis courts, and good accommodations with many fireplaces and rocking chairs.
12. What are the scheduled dates for future intensives?
See Dates.
13. What happens at an intensive?
The major portion of each Intensive is spent in teaching/dialogue with faculty and spiritual direction case studies/group spiritual direction/ lectio divina/dream groups with faculty support. There are also socials, videos, drama, demonstration, sharing, relaxation and fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
14. Who is the faculty?
Faculty members are some of the best in spiritual direction from across the nation. See About Us/ Faculty for current faculty. Two faculty members, Bob Haden and Diana McKendree are normally at Intensives. The other faculties rotate in for given Intensives. The intent is for participants to experience the entire faculty. If you miss one due to schedule changes (yours, theirs or ours), you are welcomed (as a graduate) to return when they are there again.
15. What about distance learning?
All of the requirements outside of the three Intensives per year are done in your own home setting. They include writing a spiritual autobiography; seeing a Spiritual Director in your locale; practicing group and individual spiritual direction and turning in spiritual direction case studies according to The Haden Institute guidelines; book reports; other reports; and exploring different spiritual direction practices.
16. When are fees due?
The application fee is due when you apply. The tuition fees are due quarterly: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. The Kanuga lodging fees are due two weeks before each Intensive. All checks are to be made to The Haden Institute.  Once you have made eight quarterly tuition payments, you are paid in full.
17. I don't know where I am spiritually now. Is that OK?

Yes. Some participants are churchgoers. Some are not presently churchgoers. Some of the participants have both feet inside the institutional church, some have both feet outside the institutional church and some have one foot in and one foot out, but all are on a deep spiritual journey. All are accepted wherever they are on their spiritual journey at a given time. We learn much from each other. The Haden Institute honors all religious traditions and is especially interested in being among those who are trying to help the Christian church recover lost traditions, which are predominantly found today in eastern religions; traditions such as the Jesus breath prayer, centering prayer, dreams, the labyrinth, etc.

18. Do you have therapy sessions?
No. The sessions are for educational and demonstration purposes. There are usually good therapeutic by-products from spiritual direction sessions, but we do not do therapy in the sessions. Participants are encouraged to get any needed therapy from a trained professional.

19. Are CEUs available?

Yes. We offer nationally recognized CEUs from both the National Association of Social Workers and the National Board for Certified Counselors.  See Links for more information.

 

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