Four Spiritual Foundations of the Anamcara Tradition

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 the anamcara as in skills and best practices.

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.