Spiritual Direction is “spiritual companionship.”
It is an ongoing relationship where one person, seeking to deepen their relationship with God, meets with another for soul guidance on a regular basis.
Spiritual direction is about finding and responding to God.
The purpose of spiritual direction is to become more attuned to God’s Presence as it is reflected in all aspects of your life, in both the blessings and the challenges. As you listen for God’s Presence, you can choose to respond more fully to that Presence.
“Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”
Anne Sexton
Spiritual Directors are trained listeners.
They act as spiritual guides, helping you explore the the deeper mystery of your life. A spiritual director offers you support and encouragement as you try to live your life with intention and fulfill your life’s purpose.
It is difficult to travel the faith journey alone.
For centuries people have sought out others to speak with on their spiritual path. Spiritual guidance grew in a natural way as beginners looked for support from experienced fellow-travelers so as not lose their way.
Throughout the Hebrew and Christian scriptures we find people seeking spiritual counsel. In the early years of Christianity, people flocked to hermits in the desert, called the Desert Fathers and Mothers, for spiritual direction. This sacred practice continued to grow through the centuries with gifted spiritual listeners such as St. Ignatius Loyola, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and countless others who developed deep prayer relationships with others.
In recent years, this practice has widened to embrace the spiritual gifts of spiritual directors from many faith traditions and backgrounds. Some are ordained clergy and religious, while many are lay people on the spiritual path. Spiritual direction is now regarded as a ministry open to all, not something reserved for a chosen few. Spiritual Directors are responding to an invitation from God. Their gift for attunement has been affirmed by others, and they have enhanced that gift with training, support, and ongoing prayer.
God is the True Director.
In spiritual direction we say that God is the True Director. Your spiritual director is simply your guide to listening for God and noticing how God may be speaking to you. Rather than “directing” you with answers, a spiritual director guides you to carefully discern your choices and helps you listen for the direction that is right for you.
Spiritual Direction listens for your soul.
Your spiritual director offers “holy listening” to you and to your story–with an ear tuned to your themes and the movements of God in your life. He or she notices where God may be inviting you to pay attention or respond. A spiritual director listens for the “gold” in your life and helps you to learn to notice it, too.
“We’re really listening for the stream beneath the stream of the
person’s life… for those moments of encounter with the Holy.”
William Barry, SJ
Spiritual Direction is a conversation in faith.
It is a dialogue in which one person speaks with another about the ways in which God may be touching his or her life, either directly or indirectly.
A classic question in spiritual direction is:
“Where is God in the midst of this experience…?”
Another question is:
“How might God be calling you to grow here…?”
Spiritual Direction is grounded in prayer.
Spiritual direction encourages us to find and use the prayer styles that are right for us. Through the practices of contemplation, prayer, meditation, scripture reflection, sacred ritual, communal prayer, music, art, reading, journaling, silence, and time in nature, we deepen our connection and relationship to God.
Why do people seek spiritual direction?
You may seek spiritual direction for a variety of reasons:
- You long for something more.
- You want to talk about your faith experiences.
- You want to feel closer to God.
- You have been wounded by organized religion.
- Your life feels fragmented or out of balance.
- You feel distant from God.
- You must make an important decision or face a transition in your life.
- You want to discern your purpose.
- You seek inner peace.
Spirituality is distinct from religion.
Religions are structures that have developed to bring us closer to God. Usually participation in a religion includes loyalty to institutions, clergy, and rules. Religion offer symbols, community, and sacred rituals aimed at giving us access to the Transcendent.
Spirituality is about our individual experience of the Divine and deepening our personal relationship with God. Spirituality does not encourage “one way” to experience the mystery of God or even to name God. Spirituality is the practice of listening to our soul and following our own path in order to deepen our experience of God and “God’s Bigger World” (R. Rohr). Spirituality, at its best, leads us to greater meaning and then to greater compassion, service, and peace.
Religion and spirituality do not need to be at odds. Religion at its best is “spirituality in community.”
Sources:
Center for Action and Contemplation, www.cac.org
Interview with Jeffrey S. Gaines, MDiv, Former SDI Executive Director
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, www.shalem.org
Spiritual Directors International, www.sdiworld.org