What is Spiritual
Direction?
Spiritual Direction is a relationship
of Christian companionship. One person, usually called
the Spiritual Director prayerfully listens to another,
the Directee, and helps this person notice, name, and
respond faithfully to the movements of the Spirit of
God in the life of the Directee.
It might be best to describe a spiritual
director as a "spiritual companion." The word "director,"
sometimes leads people to believe the director's purpose
is to "provide the direction or answers" for the directee.
This is not the case!
This relationship of companionship is
called Spiritual because the focus remains on how God,
who is holy and transcendent, is moving, acting, calling,
prodding, comforting, etc. through the events and experiences
of life. The relationship is called Direction because
following the Lord implies going in a particular direction
on our life-journey.
Spiritual Direction ...focuses
on the presence of God in human experience and seeks
to enable individuals to respond to that presence in
ever deeper and broader ways. The director helps the
directee notice and respond to the already present,
ongoing movements of God in life and prayer. The focus
for the direction is not on the relationship between
the director and the directee. But rather, the focus
is on the relationship between the directee and God.
You might say, that the spiritual director or "spiritual
companion" acts as a "lens" for the focus on the directee's
relationship with God. Meetings therefore typically
occur once every 3-4 weeks although they may occur more
frequently. Sessions may be conducted in person or by
telephone. Because an objective of spiritual direction
is to facilitate awakening of the directee to conscious
relationship with God, development of ongoing spiritual
practice is very much part of the process.
A core assumption of the process is that
God lives at the deepest levels of human experience,
so there is no need to focus on explicitly "religious"
topics as if spirituality were a separate compartment
of our being. The stance in relation to the material
that presents itself is what makes spiritual direction
distinctive: the posture of the director and the directee
together is to listen contemplatively for the "God moment"
or "God seed" present in the experience that the individual
might receive it consciously and savor it. IF there's
a real sensitivity to the holy the director doesn't
have to ask, "Where's God in all this?" but can simply
be with the person as a midwife to the felt reality
of God emerging into consciousness. The person names
it his/herself as s/he is able.
While it is important for the director
to have basic counseling type listening skills and knowledge
of psycho-dynamics, other techniques like praying with
the person and the use of particular faith resources
and rituals may be used. Both spiritual direction and
therapy seek full, whole human beings, but direction
focuses on God underneath or within the areas of block
or unfreedom, while psychology focuses on the block
itself and working it through to a new place.
Spiritual Companionship, or direction,
might include helping someone learn to pray, listening
for or noticing God's activity, discernment for decision
making, becoming aware of images of God that influence
the relationship, and bringing wounds or life patterns
to God for healing.
Most people will find some benefit from
Spiritual Direction, especially if they view their relationship
with God as the central issue of life. In itself, Spiritual
Direction is not essential for every Christian to experience
growth in the fullness of salvation. But as Christians,
we are called to live in the Spirit, to grow in the
fullness of Christ, to pursue holiness, and to bear
fruit. Most Christians cannot sustain a growth orientation
toward greater life without the help of others. Being
in a relationship with a Spiritual Director is one way
to cultivate a life of listening and responding to God.
Do you have a spiritual companion? Would
you like one?
I would be honored to walk with you on
your sacred journey. Please feel free to contact me anytime.