We are a nonprofit worldwide education organization created in 1996 to provide workshops, retreats and certification programs focusing on body-mind-spirit wellness, spiritual perspectives on aging, grief and end of life care—as well as many areas of personal-spiritual development.  Ultimately, all programs through Sacred Art of Living are focused on the transformation of suffering—individually and for others. While SALC administrative offices are in Bend Oregon, most events are scheduled online.

Our ‘north star’ programs include the Art of Living & Dying series and Becoming Anamcara Apprenticeship.  All of our programs are designed for anyone in the helping professions—including interested lay persons and family members from all backgrounds.  Sacred Art of Living also produces regular content for our Podcast Series: Asking Soul-sized Questions and an award-winning online resource: Soul & Science: Lessons for Caregivers.

Richard and Mary Groves founded Sacred Art of Living in 1996 after decades of work in hospice care and health care education. The Groves created Sacred Art of Living as a first-of-its-kind training school for interfaith chaplaincy.  SALC also became the home for one of the first inter-spiritual training programs for Spiritual Directors.  In the 1980s Richard and Mary were pioneers in media education for adult spiritual development that was used extensively in both Catholic and Mainline Churches throughout North America.  Their work continued to evolve into the “deep ecumenism movement,” the Jewish-Christian Dialogue and Building Bridges between East-West spiritualities.

Yes, Sacred Art of Living (EIN 93-1258906) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts to SALC are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

No. True to its mission and philosophy, Sacred Art of Living seeks to create common ground. Our work is intrinsically inter-cultural and inter-spiritual in nature. Students who have attended courses over the years offered by Sacred Art of Living discover that you can fully participate with any personal belief system, but it is important to have a respect and curiosity regarding all wisdom traditions.

The Sacred Art of Living website (sacredartofliving.org) has a complete description of all workshops and retreats, as well as an online registration section. Feel free to reach out via our Contact Page or call (541) 383-4179 if you need additional details.

There are no programs held at our Sacred Art of Living offices which are located in Bend, Oregon. Most of our courses are offered online and attract participants from around the world. Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events or the registration page of our website to see when workshops are scheduled.  Occasionally, live events, retreats and pilgrimages are offered which are also listed on our calendar of events. You are also welcome to email SALC using our form on our Contact Page or call (541) 383-4179 for events, schedules and registration details.

All SALC workshops and retreats are facilitated by specially trained instructors with graduate degrees and extensive experience in the materials presented. See the SALC website for presenter biographies.

The public is welcome to visit our center and meet the staff during business hours.  It is best to make an appointment to meet with Richard Groves. Our center in Bend, Oregon also has an extensive lending library on topics regarding spiritual/emotional growth, end-of-life care, and international wisdom traditions.

Yes, we rely heavily on our volunteers. These friends of SALC do everything from answering phones to data input to assisting with program execution and promotion. We would love to talk to you if you are interested in volunteering at Sacred Art of Living.

The Art of Living & Dying series has been the core teaching of our organization for nearly thirty years. More than twenty thousand caregivers, both professional and lay, have participated in this highly acclaimed series that focuses on practical skills for compassionate companions in the transformation of suffering. The basis of our series is on the transformation of suffering in four universal dimensions: meaning, forgiveness, hope and relatedness. Workshops are a creative learning model that blends history, health care science, depth psychology and spiritual insight with practical skills and clinically tested best practices. 

The series is comprised of four modules. Each module begins with a day and a half online webinar followed by three monthly small group meetings called Circles of Trust^©. The two-hour monthly meetings (virtual or in-person depending on participants) are an opportunity to translate the lessons of the series into real life application. 

For many years Sacred Art of Living programs have benefited from the remarkable small group process called Circles of Trust^©. The circle of trust process was created by the Center for Courage and Renewal and the lifework of Dr. Parker Palmer. In a circle of trust, participants are encouraged to connect with their inner wisdom—and with others—in ways that renew one’s spirit and sustain them for life’s important work.

All SALC workshops and retreats are facilitated by highly trained teachers with graduate degrees and extensive experience in the materials presented.

The Art of Living & Dying Program Presenters

Yes and No. We believe the skills and best practices taught in our workshops enrich everyone, and that looking at the full cycle of life–birth to death—creates an emotionally healthy and hopeful world-view.

We recommend beginning our workshops with the first module but sequential attendance is not required. It is quite common to start with later modules, but the full wealth of teaching is ultimately found in all four modules of the series. We do recommend you read: The American Book of Living & Dying: Lessons in Healing Spiritual Pain by Richard Groves and Henriette Anne Klauser if you have missed any modules which would give you a useful overview of our program history and content.

Occasionally we will have a scholarship donated for Sacred Art of Living & Dying Workshops. Scholarships are limited based on donations and are first-come-first-served. Please call or email if you would like to discuss financial assistance options. It has always been our philosophy not to turn-away anyone due to financial constraints.

Some Sacred Art of Living & Dying Workshops and Soul & Science series provide continuing education credits for social workers and nurses. Several other accrediting bodies, such as Board of Chaplaincy Certification, recognize our continuing education contact hours. For example, the Spiritual Discernment Track of the Anamcara Apprenticeship provides a professional certification with Spiritual Directors International.

In addition to personal testimonies, many communities and organizations over the years have been designated as ‘pilot sites’ for Sacred Art of Living programs. Click here for a sample of evaluations that reflect various satisfaction indices for our programs.

Becoming Anamcara is a unique apprenticeship experience for persons wishing to explore life’s deepest questions with kindred souls and mentors around the world. The ultimate outcome of the apprenticeship is to translate learning into ‘the art and practice of sacred relationship’ with self, others and Great Mystery. Apprentices choose from among various study tracks under the personal guidance of expert mentors in the areas of: spiritual direction, aging, wellness, grief, the end of life and healing our environment.

Although everyone who participates in BECOMING ANAMCARA already brings a lifetime of experience to this training, participants will be introduced to the unique spiritual wisdom and healing practices of the Celtic Anamcara Tradition.

Celtic spirituality is a broad term that encompasses a variety of perspectives, beliefs and healing practices from antiquity. Its roots extend back into pre-history and developed due to the isolation of the Celtic peoples of Northwestern Europe, who were less influenced by the Roman Empire and aspects of the Western Church. Celtic Christianity developed a holistic approach to spirituality that emphasized the original blessing of the human condition rather than original sin. Persons from many spiritual paths often find Celtic Spirituality to be inclusive, seeking to find common ground between beliefs and peoples. Its core values include: a profound respect for nature, trusting one’s inner wisdom and teacher, a heart centered relationship in the service of others during important times of transition.

No. Persons from any or no particular spiritual path are welcome to join Becoming Anamcara. What is required is a desire to ask and explore life’s courageous questions in community with other fellow seekers.

Anamcara Apprentice applicants will be required to complete all four modules of the Art of Living and Dying series (or self-study equivalent), have some working knowledge of the Enneagram, and know the basic principles of the Circle of Trust©. For more information please reach out via email using our Anamcara Contact Form or call (541) 383-4179.

You will need to use a computer with a high-speed internet connection if you are participating in the Becoming Anamcara Apprenticeship. Online course materials and zoom webinars are all part of the apprenticeship. We recognize there is a diverse range of computer-based ability within our Anamcara program, and the SALC staff is available to guide individuals at all skill levels.

Please go to our extensive website about the apprenticeship.

The work of transforming suffering in ourselves and others requires the skills of self-observation and awareness. The sacred psychology of the Enneagram is a time-tested tool that offers language and insights into deeper personal growth.

Enneagram teachers at the Sacred Art of Living are deeply training in the wisdom of the Enneagram. Among our special Enneagram mentors are Helen Palmer, Richard Rohr, and Sandra Maitri.

No. Our popular introductory course called Spirit of the Enneagram welcomes persons at all levels of experience with the Enneagram including first time students.

For many years the Enneagram Contemplative Retreat has been a very special and unique experience of the Enneagram through the wisdom of the world’s great mystical teachers and traditions. Since COVID, this program has been on hold but we look forward to re-introducing a renewed version of this popular retreat soon.

The Soul & Science online study series are produced by Sacred Art of Living. Soul & Science is a virtual resource for caregiver education and support. On-line series provide an easy to access ‘online encyclopedia’ of teachings, best practices and inspirations for both professional and family caregivers.

Each Soul & Science series is comprised of five lessons.  Each lesson begins with an inspiring and informative 5-7 minute video teaching. Lessons offers reflection questions and skills for individual or small group learning. Each Soul & Science lesson also includes clinically-tested best practices that can be used for most any caregiver situation. Lessons conclude with a wealth of resources on each topic including up-to-date bibliographies, journal articles, TedTalk videos and related website references.

Series include topics dealing with (but not limited to) Self Care, Aging, Healing Practices for Chronic and Terminal Illness, Altered States of Consciousness, Grief and a variety of psycho-spiritual tools and practices for all caregivers.

Every Soul & Science instructor has been selected because they are an expert in their field and have had hands-on experience with their subject.  Many of our presenters are published authors and nationally recognized mentors.

While persons in the helping professions will appreciate the skill and best practices of Soul & Science, any lay caregiver will benefit from the many series that deal with the most common issues related to illness, aging, self-care, grief and end of life caregiving.

Every Soul & Science lesson has both an individual and small group learning option.

Soul and Science subscriptions

A pilgrimage is a unique travel experience for persons who wish to visit wonderful parts of the world together with a deep encounter of their local history and culture.

For the past thirty years Sacred Art of Living has created annual pilgrimage experiences for persons wishing to visit some of the sacred locations and cultures referenced in our various training courses.

We have offered pilgrimages to special locations throughout North America and Europe including the Native Southwest of the US, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain.

No, Sacred Art of Living pilgrimages are open to anyone wishing to travel and explore with us!

Depending on the program, SALC cancellation policies have been developed and are clearly articulated. Click here for SALC cancellation policies.