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Welcome!
Welcome to The Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary's program As the Crow Flies: Discover Your Direct Path to God. This program is offered through The Tree of Life School for Sacred Living, LLC, and has evolved from the long history of spiritual studies courses offered through the School. In addition to offering an overview of world religions, training in ministrial duties, and ordination bestowed by The Tree of Life Interfaith Temple, the key focus of our program invites you on an inner exploration to discover and cultivate your unique gifts in service to a greater good.
We are currently accepting applications for the September 2010 class. Space is limited so early inquiry is encouraged. To learn more, click here for a downloadable PDF Program Handbook, or click here for a downloadable PDF Application. If you are local, you may wish to attend one of our monthly Informational Meetings listed below. If you are not local or are unable to attend an Informational Meeting, please call or e-mail us with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you and to serving you on your journey!
Next Information Session is scheduled for Monday, May 17, 2010, 6:30 P.M.
Future Dates:
Saturday, June 12, 10:00 A.M.
Wednesday, July 14, 6:30 P.M.
Saturday, August 14, 10:00 A.M.
As the Crow Flies: Discover Your Direct Path to God
A New Vision of Ministry
Discover Your Unique Inner Treasure
Celebrate the awareness that each of us is a treasure and that we each have a unique part to play in the divine plan only we can play.
Explore a systematic methodology within which you may discover and cultivate your inner treasure through prayer, meditation and spiritual practice.
Enjoy encouragement and support to offer your treasure, your vision of ministry, in service to the greater good.
Explore the World's Major Faith Traditions
Research the history, key beliefs and spiritual practices of eight faith traditions
Experience the many ways we pray to one God.
Enjoy presentations from speakers representing various faith traditions.
Receive Training in Ministerial Duties & Spiritual Leadership
Learn how to create sacred space, deliver worship services and perform weddings, memorial services and baby blessings.
Study the key components of spiritual leadership.
Explore your unique role as pastoral mentor in a spiritual community.
"My seminary experience has been internally rich and expansive. As always I have appreciated Stephanie's words and consolidation of broad thoughts into practical application! Her questions are the foundational impetus for self witnessing and growth. Without them it would be a course simply reviewing various religions, but the spiritual threads applied to ourselves allow for the self reflection that breaks through our barriers and broadens our personal perspective. This better prepares us for our service to humanity." ~ Jan Grossman
Core Curriculum: Treasure Map for Your Personal Journey
The Core Curriculum: Treasure Map for Your Personal Journey offers a systematic process whereby you may discover, cultivate and prepare to offer your unique inner treasure in service to the greater good.
Year 1: Preparations offers training in how to create a spiritual practice calling upon models from a variety of faith traditions. You'll explore numerous forms of meditation and prayer and examine the process of co-creating with the Creator through the interplay of personal will and divine surrender. You'll receive detailed guidance on how to create a spiritual practice that resonates with your inner knowing, deal with obstacles as they arise and, ultimately, how to become an alchemist turning the challenges of life into the gold of the journey. Welcome to the treasure's crucible.
Year 2: Create Your Vision of Ministry provides a methodology whereby you may integrate the gold of the journey, the joys as well as the challenges, as necessary and critical components of your personal ministry character and vision. You'll be offered opportunities for alchemy, to polish your inner treasure, by transforming patterns that no longer serve. And, as you clarify your personal vision of ministry and prepare for its manifestation, you'll be supported to offer it as an expression of beauty, in service. Finally, to supplement your ministry vision, you'll be trained in the basic duties of clergy as well as in the components of spiritual leadership and mentoring. Welcome to the Path of Crow.
Treasure Map for Your Personal Journey
Year 1: Preparations
Part 1: Redefining Ministry in the Coming Age
Module 1: Crow: Sacred Guide to the Inner Realms. Click here to view the PDF file sample curriculum for Module 1.
Module 2: Forging a New Spiritual Vision of Ministry
Part 2: Entering the Treasure's Crucible: Spiritual Practice
Module 3: Spiritual Practice — The Direct Path
Module 4: Obstacles to Spiritual Practice
Module 5: Strategies for Working with Obstacles
Module 6: Will and Surrender — Flying Nowhere
Part 3: Navigating the Inner Landscape: Tools for Excavating
Module 7: Prayer — Coming Barefoot to the Edge
Module 8: Meditation — Stepping Deep. Click here to view the PDF file sample curriculum for Module 8.
Module 9: Overview of Different Forms of Meditation
Module 10: Guidelines for Creating a Spiritual Practice
Part 4: Hearing the Cry of the Soul: A Closer Look at the Treasure
Module 11: Sensing the Treasure of Your Heart
Module 12: The Call to Joy — Becoming Alive
Module 13: How Challenge Creates Beauty — Turning Metal to Gold
Module 14: Following the Impulse — Being the Treasure
Treasure Map for Your Personal Journey
Year 2: Create Your Vision of Ministry
Part 5: Uncovering the Treasure: Excavating Your Personal Ministry Vision
Module 15: How Your Personal Journey Imprints Your Ministry Vision
Module 16: Charting Your Ministry Character
Module 17: How Your Spiritual Beliefs Help to Create Your Ministry Vision
Module 18: Charting Your Ministry Guiding Principles
Part 6: Polishing the Treasure: Becoming Brilliant
Module 19: Healing and Transforming Patterns That Do Not Serve
Module 20: Releasing into Freedom through Forgiveness
Module 21: Cultivating Single-Pointed Courage
Module 22: Living From an Open Heart
Part 7: Offering the Treasure: Creating Your Personal Ministry Blueprint
Module 23: Clarifying Your Personal Vision of Ministry
Module 24: Creating a Workable Flight Plan for Your Direct Path to God
Module 25: Communicating Your Vision to Others — Building a Support System
Module 26: Managing Time and Enjoying Self-Care
Part 8: Basic Skills for Ministers
Module 27: Creating Sacred Space — Effective Worship Experiences
Module 28: Creating and Officiating a Wedding Ceremony
Module 29: Creating Grave Side, Memorial Services & Baby Blessings
Module 30: Leading & Mentoring a Spiritual Community
For each module of study, participants will have assigned reading from module handouts by Rev. Stephanie Rutt as well as from books from well known authors from a variety of faith traditions. Each module will have written homework assignments, primarily in the form of reflection questions, drawn from the month's reading assignments.To see the required reading for the class starting in September 2010, please click here.
Spiritual Practice: The Treasure's Crucible
Spiritual practice is the treasure's crucible, the cave from which our inner treasure is excavated. Following the conclusion of Module 10: Guidelines for Creating a Spiritual Practice, participants will be prepared to begin and to maintain a spiritual practice a minimum of five times a week and to keep a spiritual journal documenting the experience. This journal may be created in such a way as to most deeply express the journey – through narratives, drawings, poems, recorded movement – whatever venue most resonates with the participant and the process.
Study of the World's Major Faith Traditions
Many are the ways we pray to one God. Participants will choose eight religions, at least one from each of the religion categories below, to research. Papers on the world's religions will be assigned monthly over an eight month period and will include a review of historical orientation, beliefs and practices and a personal reflection of application to daily living. An extensive list of recommended books will be provided as possible resources.
Ancient Religions: |
Native & Earth Based Religions |
Eastern Religions |
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Chinese & Japanese Religions |
Abrahamic Religions |
Modern Religions |
I have known the Reverend Stephanie Rutt for almost thirteen years. Over that period of time I have participated in many spiritual study classes with her, and am now enrolled in the As the Crow Flies Seminary. Stephanie has dedicated herself to the study and practice of a spiritual life. She brings great knowledge, wisdom, love and generosity to her students. Through these studies, one has the opportunity for self exploration, acceptance, and education that cultivates the essential elements for a life of service and deep contentment. We are so blessed to have this precious treasure here in our own backyard. ~ Barbara Burnes Landry, Family Law Attorney, Yoga Instructor
Current Seminary Class of 2011
Monthly Workshop Format Meeting 3rd Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
June 19, 2011 Graduation — Ordination |
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Two Seminary Class for 2012
Class 1: Monthly Workshop Format Meeting 4th Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
June 23, 2012 Graduation — Ordination |
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Class 2: Three and a Half Days Workshop Format
Year 1: 2010 - 2011 Workshop 1: Sept. 15, 16, 17, 18, 2010 Workshop 2: Jan. 12, 13, 14, 15, 2011 Workshop 3: May 11, 12, 13, 14, 2011 |
Year 2: 2011 - 2012 Workshop 4: Sept. 14, 15, 16, 17, 2011 Workshop 5: Jan. 11, 12, 13, 14, 2012 Workshop 6: May 16, 17, 18, 19, 2012 |
May 19, 2012 Graduation — Ordination |
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When I learned of the seminary program I was immediately interested in the ability to move closer to living my mission in life through completion of the program and, in large part, Rev Rutt's reputation to assist students of all levels in all facets of safe self exploration to come closer to their own divine nature in a joyful and caring way.
I am in gratitude for the opportunity to meet well known teachers of many faiths who came to offer the students their intimate practices and teaching from their traditions.Personally, the opportunity to become conscious of and release that which kept me from myself and therefore bringing my spritual practice fully into the world is a rich gift. And to do this in the framework of deep holding and joy, ummmmmmmmm...
Serious about yourself and your spiritual growth? Let that be enough of a reason to commit to the program. You will leave touched by what you learned, able to put the integrated self learning in practice in your daily life more than before, and filled with an increased sense of knowing who you are in relation to the universal life force energy." ~ Paula Fortier
Now accepting Visa and Mastercard! Call our office at 603-546-2320 for assistance.
Application Fee: $75 (Non-refundable)
Year 1: $1600
Year 2: $1600
Graduation Fee: $100 (Paid at End of Year 2)
Three Payment Options:
Option 1: Paid in Full by September 1st of Year 1.
Regular Tuition: $3200
Option 2: Paid in Four Payments:
September 1st and January 1st of Year 1 & Year 2.
Regular Tuition Plus 5% = $3360 ($840 per Payment)
Option 3: Paid in Eight Payments:
September 1st, November 1st, January 1st, March 1st of Year 1 & Year 2.
Regular Tuition Plus 10% = $3520 ($440 per Payment)
For every student participating in the seminary program, we donate $250 to the Smile Train to repair one child's clef pallet.
May our work create more smiles around the world!
Here are the Curriculum Consultants for the As the Crow Flies: Discover Your Direct Path to God program and the Presenters for 2009-2010.
Rev. Stephanie Rutt - Rev. Rutt is an interfaith minister ordained in 2005 by the New Seminary for Interfaith Studies in New York City. She is a founding member of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple and serves as President and Minister. 
She is also the founder and creator of the Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary and the Tree of Life School for Sacred Living, LLC, formally the Tree of Life Yoga Studio. In addition to being certified in the Kripalu and Kundalini yoga traditions, Rev. Rutt is the creator of numerous year long spiritual study courses including Rise Up! The Bhagavad Gita: Job Description for a Spiritual Warrior, Living Our Purpose: The Heart of Spiritual Practice, The Lord's Prayer and Beatitudes in Aramaic and the Sanskrit Mantra Course. She is the author of An Ordinary Life Transformed: Lessons for Everyone from the Bhagavad Gita, published by Hobblebush Books in 2006. Excerpts from her book and other writings can be found here. Rev. Rutt holds a Master of Arts in Psychology, Guidance and Counseling and in the early 90s worked at a mental health counselor at Milford Regional Counseling Services and taught for many years in the behavioral science at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Today, she offers spiritual mentoring, focusing on daily spiritual practice as a means to understand and transform the challenges of human experience. As a way of extending service to the community at large, Rev. Rutt founded the Gifts of Grace Foundation which created quilts for local foster care children from 2005 through 2009 and she served as Convener of the Souhegan Valley Interfaith Council from 2004 through 2006 during which she sponsored the To Hear How Others Pray series.
Thomas Ashley Farrand - Thomas Ashley-Farrand has been a practicing Hindu Vedic Priest for over 30 years. The works of Thomas Ashley-Farrand give unprecedented, detailed instruction in how to empower yourself using the techniques of the ancient sages and rishis. After many years of teaching and sharing, he has been persuaded by his friends to publish the techniques of mantra sadhana in which he was initiated over the course of decades by Eastern masters. Additionally, as we enter the new millenium, he has decided to share some of the moving experiences that he has had with spiritually advanced beings, as well as the lessons that he learned from each encounter.
Abraham and Halima Sussman - Abraham is a direct student of Sufi Murshid Samuel Lewis, and serves as a senior teacher in the Sufi Ruhaniat International. He is a Mentor Teacher of the Dances of Universal Peace, and an accomplished musician. Abraham is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He has been the clinical director of Agua Viva Associates since 1976, and Soma Counselling Center since 1980, specializing in holistic health, sacred psychology, group therapy, and relationship counseling. Halima is a Senior Mentor Teacher of the Dances of Universal Peace, and currently serves on the Guidance Council for the Mentor Teachers Guild, which oversees training in the Dances and Walks, and support for Mentor Teachers. She is a senior teacher in the Sufi Ruhaniat International, and also serves as an ordained minister. Halima has been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker since 1980. In her work with people, she integrates the process of personal inquiry with meditation, art, and breathwork. Abraham and Halima have been partners since 1972 and have four wonderful sons together.
Don Alusic - Don, a life-long practitioner of the Church of Christ, Scientists, has been interested in the effects of spirituality and religion on world events since the 1980s. He has developed a number of hidden talents such as photography, writing, and web design, especially since September 11, 2001. These interests merged in developing this documentary. In addition he recorded and produced several DVDs of the 2005 100th Anniversary of the Peace Treaty of Portsmouth religious/spiritual events.
EkOngKar Singh Khalsa - EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, a Sikh for over 25 years, is a kind and compassionate teacher with a great sense of humor. He has practiced and taught Kundalini Yoga for many years. He also teaches at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. By day he is a professional in the real estate industry. He is certified to teach Kundalini Yoga and Meditation.
Karen Kenney - Karen is a yogini and owner and director of Quest Yoga Studio.She graduated from Boston University in 1990.Karen studied various styles of yoga before receiving her certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in 1998. She also completed her teacher training in the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. She is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance and is also a member of the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Concord Cooperative Market Wellness Committee. She is a certified Thai Yoga Bodywork Practitioner (Levels 1-4) and often assists Thai Yoga Massage Teacher Trainings at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. She has studied directly with Kam Thye Chow, founder of the Lotus Palm School which is the foremost institution in North America specializing in traditional Thai Yoga Massage. Karen is the creator and host of "The Yoga Show" on Concord TV, Channel 22.
Medicine Story - Wampanoag elder Medicine Story is author of 8 published books. He lectures on peace, environment, and community; gave keynote address at United Nations ceremonies on 50th anniversary of death of Mahatma Gandhi; forms Family camps in Europe; and forms Prison circles in NE.
Michael Rosenblum - Michael is a Rabbinic student through the Alliance for Jewish Renewal and has been a dance leader of the Dances of Universal Peace for more than 10 years. He is also a software engineering manager for a major high-tech company.
Robert Jonas - Robert is the founder and director of The Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA, with a special emphasis on the Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and on the arts. Jonas is an author, musician and retreat leader. A Christian in the Carmelite tradition, he has also received spiritual formation with Buddhist teachers. Currently a student of Sui-Zen, the Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi), he has played in many secular and spiritual contexts, both Buddhist and Christian.
Amy Blanchard - Amy lives in Wilton, NH with her husband Scott, daughter Ella, and two family cats. She is a graduate of Saint Anselm College with a B.A. in English. Amy is a freelance writer, having been published in several local, niche and online publications. She started working as the Administrative Assistant at The Tree of Life School for Sacred Living in September, 2009 and is loving every minute of it.
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