Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a conscious pause in the flow of life to explore the meaning and mystery of your experiences and to develop your connection with the wellspring of guidance and support within you. It is deep resourcing for life's opportunities and challenges.
Ten Experiences That May Draw You to Spiritual Direction
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You want time and space to explore your life experiences with someone who will deeply listen to you.
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You are interested in developing a spiritual practice or a rhythm of life that helps you to feel more centered, supported, and connected.
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You feel restless or dissatisfied with your habitual ways of being, and you long for a renewed sense of meaning, purpose, and hope.
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You are experiencing a “spiritual awakening,” or a profound opening to the hidden depths of existence.
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You wish to rekindle your spirituality and to develop an authentic vision of faith for this season of your life.
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You seek to expand your awareness of the loving presence of the divine in all situations and to integrate your spirituality with other aspects of your life.
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You sense that you are being spiritually "called" on a transformative journey, and you desire support for recognizing, receiving, and responding to your inner guidance.
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You are experiencing an important life transition or a significant change in identity, and you feel drawn to explore the spiritual dimension of this process.
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You welcome spiritual care as you grow through challenges, including loss, grief, and healing.
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You need to make a decision regarding an opportunity or a dilemma, and you would like to learn more about contemplative resources for discernment.
Spiritual Direction
individual appointment
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Reflect on your life journey, with the support of a certified spiritual director.
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Become more receptive to your inner wisdom.
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Deepen your spirituality.
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Renew your sense of meaning, purpose, and hope.
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Develop ways of living that support your own and others' flourishing.
Soul Circle
small-group gathering
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Enjoy spiritual community with a group of fellow seekers chosen by you.
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Engage in regular reflection on the meaningful depths of your experiences.
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Explore contemplative practices.
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Receive support and inspiration by sharing your life journey with others.
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Experience guided meditations.
Possible Questions to Explore in Spiritual Direction
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When I reflect on my experiences, what awakens my curiosity? What patterns or themes do I notice?
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How am I changing? What are my growing edges?
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What are life's invitations now? What do I desire?
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What are my gifts? How might I develop and share them?
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How might I meet opportunities and challenges with presence, compassion, and discernment?
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How might I grow in virtues like kindness, generosity, and courage?
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What is my longing? What is my calling? How might they converge?
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How do I experience the divine? How might I welcome such intimacy?
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What spiritual practices are life-giving for me now? How might I engage in them wholeheartedly?
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What helps me to center in prayer? How might I cultivate loving awareness?
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When do I experience meaningful connections with others? How might I nurture community?
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In this season of my life, what do I feel drawn to release and to embrace? What are my next steps?
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How might I need to heal? What people, places, and practices might support me?
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What have I learned about love? How might I tend my relationships?
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How might I draw on spiritual resources to address violence, injustice, and suffering?
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How might I cherish my body, my birthright ally for spiritual transformation?
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How might I enhance my vitality and openness to life?
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How might I expand my capacities for wonder, play, creativity, and joy?
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How might I commune with sacred mystery in nature? How might I honor the Earth?
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How might I welcome experiences of awe? How might I slow down, pause, and savor silence and stillness?
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How might I experience and express gratitude for all the gifts of life?
FAQ
What happens during spiritual direction?
During our meeting, I will help you to center in presence, to connect with your inner wisdom, to explore your life experiences, to discern growth opportunities, and to deepen your spirituality. I will offer you compassionate listening, supportive questions, and intuitive guidance.
Is a spiritual director directive?
No. Although "spiritual director" is the traditional name for my vocation, my role is to facilitate spiritual transformation by supporting your connection with your inner wisdom and your felt experience of the divine presence within you and every situation. In Holy Listening, Margaret Guenther calls a spiritual director a "midwife to the soul."
Must I identify with a particular religion to participate in spiritual direction?
No. All seekers are welcome in spiritual direction, including those who do not identify as "religious." Moreover, questions, doubts, and struggles are common experiences on a spiritual journey. My expertise is in contemplative Christian spirituality.
How does spiritual direction compare with counseling?
Counselors diagnose and treat mental health issues. Accordingly, medical health insurance may reimburse counseling expenses. In contrast, spiritual directors support spiritual flourishing—a profoundly meaningful process which unfolds over the peaks and valleys of your life experiences. Spiritual direction can enhance but not replace medical, psychological, and social services. Please maintain regular appointments with your physician, psychotherapist, and other members of your care team.
Is spiritual direction confidential?
Yes. However, in keeping with mandatory reporting laws, there are required exceptions to confidentiality. For more information on the ethical commitments of spiritual directors, please read Spiritual Directors International's Guidelines for Ethical Conduct.
How often would we meet for spiritual direction?
Typically, spiritual-direction meetings are monthly. However, you are welcome to schedule more frequent conversations.
"And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet, and learn to be at home."
—Wendell Berry, The Unforeseen Wilderness, p. 43