Hatha


   The foundation-principle underlying all of our activities is a twofold belief in the ontological primacy of SPIRIT, and the indefeasible oneness of TRUTH. Our goal is to attract a highly inclusive, international membership of spiritually-minded individuals, and thus to bring together sincere seekers-of-Truth from every part of the globe, from all denominations, and from every religious persuasion. You can join us, while remaining a member of your present church. You can also make us your main, or only, church. We seek to be of service to all human souls, by offering multiple modes of support and assistance that promote the attainment of deeper spirituality and higher levels of religious understanding.


The I-FESS Mission

The spiritual objectives of the I-FESS Church & Seminary are:

  • (1) I-FESS will provide sermons, religious music, and spiritual guidance to its members and to the public at large;
  • (2) I-FESS will make available a variety of religious materials and courses for the edification of its members and the public at large;
  • (3) I-FESS will offer a variety certificates and degrees for completion of selected courses of study in the field of religion, including a certificate in Advanced Metaphysical Studies and a Doctor of Divinity degree in Spiritual Science;
  • (4) I-FESS will extend ordination-training opportunities to any of its members who genuinely feel a "calling" to become ministers, and will subsequently confer ordination upon the same; and
  • (5) I-FESS will issue charters to any of its ordained ministers who desire to establish branch churches or congregations.
Relevant Testimony
(by Rev. Doug Torkelson)

I-FESS Articles of Faith

The Institute for Education in Spiritual Science -- also known by the acronyms, "I-FESS" and "I-FESS Church & Seminary" -- is an independent, interfaith, non-denominational church and seminary, whose sole purpose is the spiritual edification, growth, and advancement of those who visit this site. We are a church and seminary dedicated to promoting the spiritual growth of our church members, seminary students, and the public at large. Our advice and encouragement to all human souls is to vigorously seek after Truth. We believe that the pursuit of Truth must proceed with unswerving integrity and independence of mind, and that such a pursuit is indispensable to human well-being. Moreover, I-FESS also lays considerable stress on the following fact vis-a-vis "tolerance": Due to the essential nature of the "human condition" itself, differences of perception and viewpoint must inevitably exist. Therefore, despite the fact that we have in common our commitment to the search for Truth, we nevertheless recognize that divergent points of view and opinion will arise among our members. In this connection, therefore, we are firmly resolved not to interfere with others in their pursuit of Truth, while at the same time we pledge fealty to the following articles of faith:

  • (1) All I-FESS members are committed to the precept that individual believers have a spiritual duty to seek after truth independently.
  • (2) Each I-FESS member respects the religious freedom of others -- both members and non-members -- even if said others currently hold to religious views that do not agree with our own.
  • (3) Every I-FESS member pledges to abide by the ancient maxim, "Do no harm."
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    The Apostle Paul:

    "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
    (Philippians 4:8)

    "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
    (2 Corinthians 4:18)

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    Baha'u'llah:

    "O friend! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold. Treasure the companionship of the righteous and eschew all fellowship with the ungodly."

    "O friend, the heart is the dwelling of eternal mysteries, make it not the home of fleeting fancies; waste not the treasure of thy precious life in employment with this swiftly passing world. Thou comest from the world of holiness -- bind not thine heart to the earth; thou art a dweller in the court of nearness -- choose not the homeland of the dust."

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    Gautama Buddha:

    "All that we are is the result of what we have thought; is founded on our thoughts; is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage. All that we are is the result of what we have thought; is founded on our thoughts; is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."
    "He abused me; he beat me; he defeated me; he robbed me. In those who harbor such thoughts hatred will never cease. He abused me; he beat me; he defeated me; he robbed me. In those who do not harbor such thoughts, hatred will cease. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love. This is an Eternal Law"

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