Special Request to our Sacred Art Community
Joe Richter, our dear friend and colleague, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Please use the button below to send him your healing thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
WELCOME
Sacred Art of Living was established in 1996 by Richard and Mary Groves in Bend, Oregon USA. A first-of-its-kind nonprofit spiritual education institute, SALC provides workshops, retreats and professional development resources focused on whole-person caregiving — especially related to the art of living & dying. We are committed to the tradition of deep ecumenism and the relationship between contemporary sciences and the healing arts. Our vision is inspired by the world’s great wisdom traditions and has reached more than twenty thousand participants from thirty-five countries.
PROGRAMS
Art of Living & Dying Series
The Art of Living & Dying Series is more about living than about dying. Four internationally acclaimed modules draw from the wisdom of our ancestors that the quality of life is enhanced when we do not live in fear or denial of suffering and our mortality.
Becoming Anamcara
Anamcara is an ancient Gaelic term meaning “soul friend.” The purpose of this two-year intensive apprenticeship is to deepen the quality of all our relationships enabling anyone to become a “compassionate companion” through the many stages of living and dying.
Soul & Science: Virtual Resources
Soul & Science: Lessons for Caregivers is a virtual destination for personal and professional caregivers. Timely series offer both information and inspiration through easy-to-access lessons–providing real life best practices and continuing education opportunities.
Enneagram Studies
The Enneagram is a remarkable tool for psychological and spiritual growth. Our studies offer valuable life skills for self-awareness and improved relationships. Our workshops and retreats are unique in drawing from the ancient wisdom schools that apply Enneagram insights in the art of spiritual discernment.
Pilgrimages
For thirty years SALC has offered first class travel experiences to great world sites. Regularly scheduled pilgrimages to many North American and European locations are opportunities to visit amazing places together with a deep encounter with other cultures.
Podcasts
Soul Size Questions focus on some of the big topics that many people today across generations are talking about. Sacred Art of Living podcasts explore issues about the things that give meaning and hope to life. We especially look forward to exploring how the worlds of science, psychology and spirituality interrelate.
EVENTS
Spirit of the Enneagram July 11-12, 2025
July 11 @ 9:00 am - July 12 @ 4:00 pm
Healing Through Grief & Loss
October 25 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
2026 Circle of Life Event: Sacred Earth Sacred Soul with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling
February 6, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - February 7, 2026 @ 8:00 am
RESOURCES
Book of Life
We invite you to use our Sacred Art of Living Book of Life as a way or remembering persons and special needs. You can include the names of the living or deceased. We invite you to use the Book of Life as a way of sharing intentions which are forwarded to special communities that are located in sacred places around the world.
Friends & Sites
The Sacred Art of Living Center has connection to many diverse groups with a common vision of integrating spirituality into every dimension of human activity. Click the button below to view some of our special Friends.
SALC Preview Video
Click here to watch the introduction to the teachings found in our Art of Living & Dying Series.
The American Book of Living & Dying
The American Book of Living & Dying is ultimately a testimony to hope and living. Its lessons are about transforming suffering at any stage of life. Based on the wisdom found in the ancient books of living and dying, Groves’ work is also a collection of real life stories from persons of all cultural, social and religious backgrounds. Click below to read reviews or to purchase.