What is Spiritual Direction?
The practice of Spiritual Direction reminds me of peeling an onion. As we explore our questions, we also take time to rest in the unquenchable love of God/ Universe/ Higher Power/ Spirit/ Source (which will be referred to as "God" on the rest of this site for simplicity's sake). It is this Love, and our willingness to let it in, that heals our wounds. As we heal, we grow in our self confidence and gain the courage to approach the next layer, to go a bit deeper. I have found that as soon as one area of our Self is healed, the next layer of work will present itself. Luckily, the practice of Spiritual Direction allows each person to move at their own pace, as doing deep inner-work can be tiring, frightening, and painful. But much more frequently, it is found to be life-giving, joyful, and liberating. Layer by layer, we discover our True Selves by letting go of unnecessary and limiting ideas and attitudes. Along the way we catch glimpses of, and move closer to, what lies at our core: Boundless Love and Peace.
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A spiritual director is a “soul friend” who accompanies a person or group through the path of spiritual discovery, joy and pain, questions and doubts. It’s a loving, non-judgmental process that allows a person to acknowledge their wounds and to enter a space of healing. The core work of spiritual direction supports people in deepening their trust in a loving God/Goodness/Goddess, and in listening and noticing where this Spirit is leading and showing up. Spiritual direction is different from counseling in that there is no specific end goal to accomplish, other than continued spiritual freedom, and a deepening sense of loving relationship with self, community, and God. All parts of life are suitable topics in spiritual direction, since the things that affect our hearts, minds, and bodies inevitably affect the Essence of our being (our spirits/souls).
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Why do people seek Spiritual Direction?
There are many reasons people seek spiritual direction. One need not identify with a specific religion to benefit from this practice.
Here are a few examples of things that can be addressed:
~ Dealing with grief or loss of a relationship, community, job, changing identity.
~ Healing/changing harmful images of God (often a judgmental or punishing God from our religious past or family) and discovering a truly loving God.
~ Coming to a place of stagnation in one’s prayer life, religion, or service. What used to work just doesn’t anymore. Wondering “what is wrong with me?” or “where did God go?”
~ Experiencing shame around issues of sexuality, gender, body image, the past, money, or abilities. “Can God really love me as I am?”
~ LGBTQ folks needing a safe spiritual space to work through religious trauma.
~ Noticing one’s personal experience and values not matching with their religion. Feeling trapped, desiring to try something new.
~ Struggling with intimate relationships due to codependency, issues of self- worth, etc.
~ Desiring a spiritual community outside of the traditional and institutional structure of "Church" (forming a spiritual direction group)
Here are a few examples of things that can be addressed:
~ Dealing with grief or loss of a relationship, community, job, changing identity.
~ Healing/changing harmful images of God (often a judgmental or punishing God from our religious past or family) and discovering a truly loving God.
~ Coming to a place of stagnation in one’s prayer life, religion, or service. What used to work just doesn’t anymore. Wondering “what is wrong with me?” or “where did God go?”
~ Experiencing shame around issues of sexuality, gender, body image, the past, money, or abilities. “Can God really love me as I am?”
~ LGBTQ folks needing a safe spiritual space to work through religious trauma.
~ Noticing one’s personal experience and values not matching with their religion. Feeling trapped, desiring to try something new.
~ Struggling with intimate relationships due to codependency, issues of self- worth, etc.
~ Desiring a spiritual community outside of the traditional and institutional structure of "Church" (forming a spiritual direction group)