What is spiritual direction?
Some people prefer the term spiritual “companion” to “director” as the director does not give directions per se, but accompanies the “directee” on their spiritual journey. Spiritual direction is an act of sacred listening and reflection on the life of another. Maya Angelou is quoted as saying, “There is not greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
In this sacred act of listening to one’s story, God or Spirit is the third party in the listening, acting as the real director.
Through the ages, in all religious traditions, people have sought guides to assist in their spiritual growth. Going deeper into the Great Mystery is, indeed, a lifelong journey. Along the way, one’s prayer life and image of God may change, grow, and deepen as a connection to what is real and most true comes to more fullness. This is what spiritual direction offers.
In the Christian tradition, Jesus is the model for spiritual direction, or spiritual companioning. He drew people more fully into God’s presence by being with them. The early Christian desert mothers and fathers were sought out for their spiritual wisdom by seekers of their time. There are great models of spirituality in all faith traditions, no matter how we name the Mystery we call may “God.”.
“If we create space in which God can act and speak, something surprising will happen.”
- Henri Nouwen
Is spiritual direction right for you?
If you are struggling with issues of aging, spiritual direction might be a part of your eldering experience in the second half of life.
If you are part of a 12-step program, spiritual companioning can be a part of your recovery in working the steps, providing more awareness and connection with your Higher Power.
We are all on the spiritual journey of life itself. As Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
If you seek to deepen your connection with God as you understand God, if you want to deepen your prayer life, if you are going through a difficult time, or wondering if the religion you grew up in is still relevant, spiritual direction may be for you. All wonderers and seekers are welcome, from all faiths and for those who are spiritual but not religious.
If you work in areas of social justice and peace, work with the poor or homeless, are in a caregiving position, or leader of a church or head of a non-profit organization, an ongoing source of strength for your work can be undergirded by a fellow companion on the way.
“Spiritual direction at its best entirely focuses on helping the directee to become attentive to the presence, action, and movements of God in ordinary human experiences and on noticing the directee’s own responses to these movements of the Holy.”
- Sr. Mary Ann Scofield, RSM
Who are spiritual directors?
From Spiritual Directors International:
“Spiritual directors or companions support the unique spiritual journey of every individual. They are welcoming and present with those they companion, listening and responding without being judgmental. They are contemplative and honor silence as a spiritual practice. They are intuitive spiritual friends — accountable and compassionate, hospitable and open, loving yet independent.
“Spiritual direction or companionship inspires people to experience authenticity in their lives as they connect with and explore the ground of all being, that deepest of truths which is beyond life and death and goes by many names, including God, and no name at all.”
(from “A Portrait of a Spiritual Director”)
How does it work?
Typically you meet one-on-one for about an hour once a month. It may be more or less often depending on the needs of the directee. The time together is, of course, in the loving presence of the Holy. The meetings are highly confidential.
What spiritual direction is not…
Spiritual direction is not therapy. Though it may look like a therapy session, the director does not advise or try to solve a psychological issue. Relationships or other issues may certainly arise in a direction session, but the object is not to solve the problem, but simply to discover how God is in the midst of it.
Want to know more?
“You have been invited to meet
The Friend.
No one can resist a Divine Invitation.
That narrows down all our choices
To just two:
We can come to God
Dressed for Dancing,
Or
Be carried on a stretcher
To God’s Ward.”
-Hafiz
Sufi Poet
(c. 1320-1389)