The purpose of a spiritual school is to teach a method and philosophy by which a person can reliably attain the mystical state of union and then integrate that experience into life. The school will describe an idealistic, yet clear and attainable, goal of supreme human development, and prescribe a methodology of step-wise progress toward that goal. The school will be led by one or more teachers that embody the goal described by the school.
A spiritual school will draw upon a large amount of theory and practice developed over time through the lineage of the school, and then customize that teaching and practice for an individual student. There is no one-size-fits-all policy in a spiritual school. The approach must be customized in three ways:
- Considering the present, pressing need of the student. Spirituality must be also practical, otherwise, the student may feel that it is other-worldly and not relevant to the real challenges of life. Through the extraordinary experiences of consciousness and energy that a spiritual school offers, ordinary life should become more balanced, harmonious and enjoyable. We call our school the Institute for Applied Meditation to emphasize the practical importance of meditation.
- Considering the student’s level of realization, that is, the degree to which the student comprehends the fullness of reality. The level of realization advances according to a series of awakenings, developed through experience with the methods of the school. At each stage of progress, different practices and different objectives apply. A spiritual school must have a way of assessing the stage of progress; the more detailed this is, the better. IAM uses and teaches a map of 18 stages of spiritual development; we focus on the first 9 steps in our Course #106.
- Considering the archetype of the student. There are different kinds of people; an artist shouldn’t have to follow the path of a scientist, or vice-versa. A king has a different way than a monk, and so on. A real school will have a way to assess a person’s archetype and teach that method as well. At IAM, we use and teach a system of 12 archetypes, and combinations thereof.
A modern spiritual school has additional characteristics. The operation of the school must be transparent, with the teachers receiving fixed salaries, not a percentage of the income. When the school is organized as a non-profit corporation, like IAM, fixed salary scales are legally enforced. The relationship between the teacher and student should be updated as a relationship between two friends on the same journey. Furthermore, the leadership of one master is antiquated; a modern school needs to demonstrate team leadership, especially between men and women. And obscurity and secrecy must give way to evidence-based spirituality. Your spiritual work should improve your health, your relationships and your accomplishments at work.
What is the spiritual goal of our school, IAM? To find God in the heart of humankind and live in relation to God through every relationship and activity.
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This is an amazingly clear and concise description of what to look for in a spiritual school. I’m in!
What is the spiritual goal of our school, IAM? To find God in the heart of humankind and live in relation to God through every relationship and activity.
What is IAM’s description/meaning/vision/concept of God?
Hi Laurel, what is God? A very profound question. In our school we see God as the perfection of love, harmony, and beauty, the one and only being that exists, and whose spirit pervades all of non-existence. Thank you for reading. -Asatar
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