The Modern Anamcara
Why Today?
Today’s anamcara stands on the shoulders of a great tradition. Our generation is experiencing a renaissance in the world’s great contemplative traditions including Celtic spirituality. There is a renewed interest to apply the wisdom of our ancestors for today’s needs. In a pluralistic society there can be many ways to offer this unique kind of spiritual support for persons who are in a state of change or crisis. In addition to the spiritual dimension of the Anamcara Apprentice, this training will also include many practical tools and skills inherited from the ancient books of living and dying. The Anamcara Project is committed to combining the best of the ancient with clinically proven best practices.
To offer one-on-one support using the classical tools of spiritual discernment.
In our days more and more people are seeking assistance from those who are a few steps ahead on their spiritual journey. The anamcara is a true soul friend who honors the uniqueness of each person’s path. The role of spiritual director or companion reflects a similar tradition.
For many people a religious belief system provides guidance when encountering “dark nights of the soul.” The anamcara builds on and never competes with a person’s faith tradition. For some persons, spirituality is experienced outside of an institutional structure, but it is nonetheless a key for providing meaning and direction in life. The anamcara is trained to offer support that is tailored to each individual’s needs – free from personal agenda.
To be available as a spiritual midwife for the dying.
The anamcara tradition has always been associated with end-of-life care. Modern medicine has eliminated much of the physical pain associated with the dying process, but our ancestors also had access to a rich heritage of practical tools to address the unique kinds of emotional and spiritual distress that show up at the end of life.
The anamcara is trained to know how to apply the “wisdom of the ages,” both to complement the professional health caregiver and support the needs of each individual. Because the anamcara believes that death is not an end but an opening to another state of awareness, there are unparalleled opportunities for healing and hope at the end of life.
Creative Presence
Traditionally the two roles of the anamcara were interconnected: in other words, a soul-friend relationship often spanned a person’s lifetime. Most people today find themselves at the end of life without a previous relationship with a spiritual companion. As this tradition renews itself in our times, there are creative possibilities for introducing an anamcara throughout the cycles of living and dying.