The CIIS Board of Trustees established the Council of Sages, a group of distinguished individuals, to serve the Institute in an advisory capacity. The Council assists the President in addressing the concerns of the school, forging its direction, and supporting its mission. Members of the council are appointed by the President in recognition of the prominence they have achieved in their respective careers and endeavors. Collectively, they have made a significant contribution to the arts, humanities, sciences, and spiritual practices.

Members of the COUNCIL OF SAGES

Angeles Arrien, President, Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research
Lauren Artress, Canon for Special Ministries, Grace Cathedral
Alexander Astin, Author; Professor Emeritus of Education, UCLA; Director of the Higher Education Research Institute
Helen Astin, Author; Psychologist; Professor Emerita of Education, UCLA; Associate Director of the Higher Education Research Institute
Thomas Berry, Ecologist; Author
Jean Shinoda Bolen, Psychiatrist, Author
Carol P. Christ, Director of Ariadne Institute for the Study of Myth and Ritual
Riane Eisle, Author; Co-director, Center for Partnership Studies
Duane Elgin, Ecologist; Author
Joan Halifax, Buddhist Teacher
Michael Harner, President, Foundation for Shamanic Studies
Sandra Hernandez, CEO, San Francisco Foundation
Alan Jones, Dean, Grace Cathedral
Jack Kornfield, Buddhist Teacher, Spirit Rock Center
Stanley Krippner, Professor of Psychology, Saybrook Graduate School
Satish Kumar, Founder, Schumacher College; Editor, Resurgence Magazine
John L. Levy, Wealth Consultant
Joanna Macy, Author; Teacher of Buddhism and Social Change
Janice Mirikitani, Poet; Executive Director of Glide Memorial Church
Phillip Moffitt, President, Life Balance Institute
Jacob Needleman, Professor of Philosophy, California State University, San Francisco; Author
Vicki Noble, Filmmaker
Mayumi Oda, Artist
Parker J. Palmer, author, teacher, activist, founder of Center for Courage & Renewal
Ram Dass, Spiritual Teacher; Author
Paul Ray, Executive Vice-President, American Lives; Author
Rachel Naomi Remen, Medical Director, Commonweal
Betty Roszak, Poet
Theodore Roszak, Cultural Historian; Author
Rupert Sheldrake, Fellow, Institute of Noetic Sciences
Huston Smith, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion
Greg Steltenpohl, Chairman, Odwalla
William B. Stewart, Medical Director, Institute of Health and Healing; California Pacific Medical Center
Robert A.F. Thurman , Professor of Religion, Columbia University; Co-founder, Tibet House
Lynne Twist, Co-chair Board of Trustees, State of the World Forum
Frances Vaughan, Psychologist, Author
Alice Walker, Author
Roger Walsh, Professor, UC Irvine
Marion Weber, Founder, Arts and Healing Network
John Welwood, Psychologist; Author
Cecil Williams, Pastor of Glide Memorial Church