FAQ

What is the structure of the Apprentice Program?
It consists of a 3-day orientation in January 2012 and then monthly 24 hour retreats over the next two years, with the exception for the months of July and August. The retreats generally run from 4:00 p.m. on Friday to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Apprentices continue their reading, writing and spiritual practices in between the monthly retreats. After graduation from the Apprentice Program, participants become Members of the Graduate Guild. Graduate Guild Members have the opportunity to come together two times a year.

Why choose the Guild?
The three strands of the Apprentice curriculum are a major factor in adding meaning and power to the transformational and formational aspects of the Guild’s programs. The three strands are the Western Mystical tradition, the depth psychology of Carl Jung and the evolutionary cosmology of Teilhard de Chardin. This transformational/formational approach situates the Guild uniquely among programs for spiritual guidance. You can read more about this on the website. The Graduate Guild is another unique aspect of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance. It offers ongoing peer support for one’s spiritual seeking and a learning community for one’s spiritual guidance to others. The Greater Guild meets twice a year for full weekend retreats at Mariandale.

Who chooses the Guild?
Guild Members come from a wide range of ages, backgrounds, occupations and practices. A searching spirit and a deep spiritual hunger are characteristic of all Guild Members. Guild members share a commitment to the ministry of spiritual companionship and spiritual guidance as they are so led.

Who is the Director?
The Director is Rev. Dianne Disston M.S.. Rev. Disston works as a Spiritual Mentor in Brewster, New York, received her Bachelors in Business Administration and Psychology from Marymount College and a Masters in Leadership from Manhattanville College. After 25 years in the corporate world as a training facilitator, coach and manager, Dianne attended the New Seminary and was ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2003 at St. John the Divine in New York City. In June, 2010 she graduated from the Westchester Institute in Bedford Hills, New York with a Certificate in Psychoanalysis. She is currently completing requirements for her New York State Psychoanalytic License. More information on Rev. Disston can be found on the Guild’s website at www.spiritualguidance.org.

What are Cultivators and Processors? Who will they be?
The Cultivators are the staff who are responsible for each of the three strands of the Curriculum. In addition, the Processor is the staff person who is responsible for helping Apprentices process the experience of the Apprentice Program.   This can be their own personal reaction or the experience in the group including reactions to the Cultivators and the Director. The Processor and Cultivators of the three strands are selected for their own spiritual journey, knowledge of a strand area and commitment to passing this on to the Apprentices.

Our Mystic Cultivator, Robert Jonas M.T.S. ( Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA: Masters in Theological Studies,), Ed.D. (Harvard, Cambridge, MA: psychology and education), 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.   Dr. Jonas has lead past Graduate Guild Retreats. An author, musician and retreat leader he is a Christian in the Carmelite tradition and sits on the Board of the Henri Nouwen Society. You can read more about Dr. Jonas and his work on his website www.emptybell.org.

Our Teilhard Cultivator, Sr. Kathleen Deignan, CND, PhD, GreenFaith Fellow ‘08, completed North America’s only comprehensive interfaith education and training program to prepare clergy and laity for religious-environmental leadership. A student of Father Thomas Berry during her graduate work in the History of Christian Spirituality and Historical Theology at Fordham University, New York, Dr. Deignan is a Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame and Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College where she is the founding director of the Iona Spirituality Institute, and The Thomas Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue. Sister Kathleen is President-Elect of the International Thomas Merton Society, and sits on the boards of the American Teilhard Association and GreenFaith.

Our Jungian Cultivator, Harry Fogarty, Ph.D., is a Jungian Analyst in NYC, an analyst and faculty member of the Philadelphia Association of Jungian Analysts (PAJA) and the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association in NY, a Lecturer in Psychiatry and Religion at Union Theological Seminary, NYC, and a faculty member for the NY C.G. Jung Institute. Dr. Fogarty received his training at the NY-based CG Jung Institute and his Ph.D. in Religion and Psychiatry from Union Theological Seminary.

Is Spiritual Guidance provided as part of participation in the Apprenticeship Program?
Apprentices are expected to have a Spiritual Guide while they participate in the program but Spiritual Guidance is not provided to Apprentices as part of the program.

Is an internship part of the program?
If you are interested in an internship, this can be discussed during your interview for admission to the program. This is not a part of the regular program but we would be interested in exploring if there are ways we could assist you with this.

Can I get university credit and/or CEUs?
The Guild for Spiritual Guidance will offer you a certificate upon completion of the program. If you want to seek university, seminary or CEU credit, we suggest you speak with your institution/organization before beginning the program, to find out what is needed and then discuss it with the Apprentice Director so that we can best respond to your needs.

Where is the program held?
All retreats are held at the Mariandale Retreat Center, scenically located on the Hudson River in Ossining, NY, about 1½ hours north of New York City. Mariandale is accessible via car or the commuter train Metro North from New York City. Mariandale offers private rooms with sinks, nutritious meals, comfortable conference rooms and a chapel all in a natural setting.

What is the program cost?
The tuition for the Apprentice program is $2,900 on an annual basis ($5800 for 2 years) with limited scholarship funds available on an as-needed basis. Tuition can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually. The fee includes the costs of faculty, staff, room and board at Mariandale as well as entry into the Graduate Guild upon completion of the Apprenticeship Program. There is no application fee. You will be responsible for your transportation arrangements and costs as well as books and materials.

What are the dates of the sessions?
The dates for the sessions for 2012 are as follows:

Jan 27-29
Feb. 24-25
Mar. 16-17
Apr. 20-21
May 4-5
June 8-9
Sept. 7-8
Oct. 19-20
Nov. 16-17
Dec. 7-8

Can I stay Saturday night at Mariandale after the 24 hour retreats?
Mariandale is willing, for a fee, to provide a second night of lodging as long as they have space. The cost of the additional night would be yours to cover.

How do I apply?
Complete the on-line application form for the Apprentice program. Please complete and submit it in Word.   It can be found on the website at http://www.spiritualguidance.org/id17.html .

Who should I select as my references?
The best references are those who can speak to your spiritual journey and personal readiness to undertake the program. Your spiritual guide would be an essential reference. Persons who can speak to your ability to handle the discipline of attending the program, the readings and interim assignments between retreats, and ability to interact in a group context would be helpful.

What type of person are you seeking for the Apprentice Program?
We are seeking applicants who demonstrate a sufficient background and openness to integrate the content of the three curriculum strands and learn skills for practicing spiritual guidance as well as an ability to hear challenging voices from a variety of spiritual traditions.

What is the deadline for the application?
The sooner you submit your application, the quicker we can proceed with the processing to assure your space in the January Apprenticeship Program.

What is the process once I submit my application?
The Guild sees selection of Apprentices as one of joint discernment between the candidate and the Guild. For this reason, you will be invited to come for an interview to determine your readiness to undertake the study and Spiritual Disciplines of the Guild Apprenticeship Program. You will meet with the Selection Committee which includes the Coordinator of the Apprentice Program and members of the Graduate Guild. The preference is to hold these interviews at Mariandale so that candidates can experience this wonderful retreat center. However, at times, interviews are held at different locations and on rare occasions, by phone.

What happens after the interview?
Your references will be checked. If there are any additional questions that arise from the reference checks or after discussion among the Selection Committee, you will be contacted.You will receive an acceptance letter and be asked to contact the Administrator and Treasurer to set up a tuition payment plan.

Revised 5-13-2011