ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The Student Experience
The Center For Inner Awareness offers students two ways to experience our curriculum: on-campus and online. All coursework is determined on an individual study basis.
On-campus
Students typically meet with their instructor once a week for 90 minutes and remain with that instructor throughout the program. Students may meet less than once a week, but must meet at least two times a month. Class time with the instructor includes discussion of the coursework, as well as the student’s own Self Awareness as they begin to apply the principles in their daily life.
Online
For students outside the local area, we offer a distance education approach to all levels of our metaphysical program. Online students experience the same coursework, however instructor interactions take place via email (or another arrangement if made with their instructor). Online students also have the option to virtually meet with their instructor once per month utilizing webcam technology.
Additional Meetings
Students also meet once a year at retreats and for scheduled speakers or workshops pertaining to the curriculum.
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
The academic program at the Center For Inner Awareness is organized into four progressive levels, each building upon the previous one. Requirements for each of the following four levels must be met before a student may advance to the next level. Level requirements are detailed below, along will other general program requirements.
Although the program is self-paced, each level typically takes one year to complete at which time examinations are held. Students advance according to examination results, their level of understanding, whether they are practicing the spiritual principles or not and at the discretion of the teacher.
Students will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree and certification in each of the following: spiritual teacher, healing practitioner, and spiritual counselor. Students may choose between ministerial ordination or a life coach option in their final year.
First Year
STUDENT OF TRUTH
The first year of the curriculum offers a strong foundation of the spiritual principles in the teachings of Charles Fillmore, Dr. Mary Prendergrast, William Warch, Ralph Trine and others. These principles and the metaphysical interpretation of The Bible are essential keys to spiritual awakening. The axioms of George and Mary Burnell, who are two of the several founders of New Thought, are introduced. Their teachings slowly lead the student from simple divine laws to a deep understanding of human nature and the nature and character of God as our Divine Identity.
First Year Curriculum:
Spiritual Principles (SP) 101, 102, and 103
SP101: 10 credits
Receiving the Message of Truth: This is an introduction to New Thought readings and processing. Students will be exposed to new paradigms of thought regarding the self, the soul, and spirit.
- Texts used:
- How to Use Your Twelve Gifts From God (Warch)
- Foundation Stones of Truth (Grier)
- In Tune with the Infinite (Trine)
- Lessons in Truth (Cady)
- Selected hand outs
SP102: 10 credits
Historical Discoveries: Students will engage in a historical survey of various religions and how the Supreme Being is understood in various cultures. Study will also include historical beginnings and practices of New Thought.
- Texts used:
- The World’s Religions (Smith)
- A History of God (Armstrong)
- Alter Your Life (Fox)
- The Quimby Manuscripts (Dresser)
- Selected hand outs
SP103: 10 credits
New Thought Interpretations: Through a variety of readings, students will engage in critical thought regarding The Bible as well as learning to apply New Thought to their everyday lives.
- Texts used:
- Fundamental Principles of Truth, Part I (Prendergrast)
- Bible Interpretations (Fillmore)
- Nature and Character of Truth (Prendergrast)
- Spirits in Rebellion (Braden)
- Selected hand outs
Second Year
ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER OF TRUTH
This year focuses on the healing consciousness of the student. Healing and meditation practices are necessary to prepare for counseling, teaching and ministry. From the ancient scriptures of the East and the earliest writing of the New Thought founders to the latest scientific discoveries, the focus is on the spiritual essence of the universe and ourselves. This power is found in the Sacred Silence within each of us.
At the completion of this level, the student is qualified to teach incoming students as a practicum.
Second Year Curriculum:
Healing and Meditation (HM) 101, 102, and 103
HM101: 10 credits
Introduction to Healing and Meditation: A discussion of various meditation and healing methods.
- Texts used:
- Fundamental Principles of Truth, Part II (Prendergrast)
- The Art of Meditation (Goldsmith)
- Healing Principles (Jeffery)
- The Art of Spiritual Healing (Goldsmith)
- Selected hand outs
HM102: 10 credits
Healing Techniques: Students will learn about various practices and techniques of healing.
- Texts used:
- The Isaiah Effect (Braden)
- Jason’s Book (Smith)
- Scientific Christian Mental Practice (Hopkins)
- Healing Secrets of the Ages (Ponder)
- Selected hand outs
HM103: 10 credits
Going Within: In depth look at healing techniques, philosophies and the psychology of health.
- Texts used:
- How to Use Spiritual Mind Treatment (Edleman)
- Wheels of Light (Bruyere)
- Healing into Immortality (Epstein)
- Neurospeak (Masters)
- Selected hand outs
Third Year
PRACTITIONER OF TRUTH
Curriculum at this level includes study of world religions, teachings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore (founders of Unity churches), a deeper study of the New Testament, Catherine Ponder’s healing methods, and a continuation of the Burnell teachings.
At the completion of this level, students are certified to be spiritual healers, spiritual counselors, life coaches, as well as teachers of spiritual classes. Those who are preparing for ministry will begin their practicum. Opportunities exist at the H.O.M.E. Center Living New Thought Church and other forums in the community for teaching classes and workshops, guest speaking, etc. This will be decided by the student and the teacher.
Third Year Curriculum:
Comparative Studies (CS) 101, 102, and 103
CS101: 10 credits
Going Deeper into Text and Practice: Study of World Religions, and a deeper study of the New Testament.
- Texts used:
- New Testament (Unity)
- Bible Mystery and Bible Meaning (Troward)
- Dialectics (Burnell)
- Direct Practice (Burnell)
- Selected hand outs
CS102: 10 credits
The Way of Truth: Students learn to look through the world of appearances into the Truth.
- Texts used:
- Twelve Powers (Fillmore)
- Twenty-Five Principles, Part I (Prendergrast)
- The Gita
- Redefine your World (Mipham)
- Selected hand outs
CS103: 10 credits
Through the Door into Initiation: A study through the use of axioms and aphorisms into the heart of Truth.
- Texts used:
- Axioms (Burnell)
- Aphorisms (Burnell)
- The Way of the Sufi (Shah)
- Tao Te Ching (Lao Tzu)
- Selected hand outs
Fourth Year
ORDINATION INTO MINISTRY (B.A. in Metaphysics)
or
LIFE COACH CERTIFICATION (B.A. in Metaphysics)
As the student prepares for a chosen type of ministry, the ancient teachings are brought together with those of the modern world. As we do so, we see that Absolute Truth has and always will be the very essence of Who We Are as Divine Beings. Before we can move forward and practice our ministry, we must have a solid foundation of Truth so that wherever we go it is unquestionably our Whole Identity and our gift to all creation. The classes and the practicum are continued throughout this level. The teacher and the director will meet with the student at least three times during the year to discuss the experience and the student’s progress.
At the completion of this level, students recieve a Bachelor of Arts in Metaphysics with either Ministerial Ordination into the Church of Truth or Life Coach certification.
Fourth Year Curriculum:
- Ministry Ordination (MO) 101, 102, and 103
- Life Coach (LC) 103
MO101: 10 credits
The Essence: An exploration of identity from the viewpoint of Absolute Truth.
- Texts used:
- Twenty-Five Principles, Part II (Prendergrast)
- Power vs. Force (Hawkins)
- The God Code (Braden)
- The Power of Now (Tolle)
- Selected hand outs
MO102: 10 credits
Revealing the Inner Self: Students will journey to the center of understanding the “I AM” and how this revelation changes our daily lives.
- Texts used:
- Bible Book of Revelations (Prendergast)
- Upanishads
- How to Know God (Patanjali)
- Burnell Selections
- Selected hand outs
MO103: 10 credits
The Ministerial Life: Students will learn to develop and write sermons and perform ceremonies.
- Text used:
- Minister’s Manual (Beierle)
Life Coach Option
Life Coach (LC) 103: 10 credits
Taken in place of MO103.
Success as a Life Coach: Students will learn to develop life coach skills.
- Texts used:
- How to Win Friends and Influence People (Carnegie)
- Awaken the Giant Within (Robbins)
- Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life (Dyer)
- Embracing Fear (Rutledge)
Other Program Requirements:
- Students will pick a word weekly out of the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary and keep a journal of their insights. This requirement is to be done weekly during the four year program.
- In the fourth year, students will be required to read and keep a daily journal on 365 Science of Mind (Holmes).
- In the fourth year, students must join Toastmasters and show proof of speeches. If students do not have a Toastmasters Club nearby, alternate proof of public speaking bi-weekly must be provided. This requirement is waived if students choose the Life Coach certificate and are not ordained into the ministry.
- The above work accounts for 60 units which are not charged a fee.