What is Spiritual Direction?
I’m glad you asked. Walter Burghardt describes contemplation as taking a “long, loving look at the real”. Spiritual Direction is the ancient spiritual practice of “listening to God together” while taking a “long, loving look at the real”. It is a place where one learns how to notice and pay attention to God in their own life as they share with their spiritual director.
It is a practice in which one may seek to strengthen their faith, renew their prayer life, or find greater direction in their life. In Spiritual Direction, the seeker meets with a spiritual director or spiritual companion. This director is trained in contemplative ways of hearing and seeing. A director companions the seeker on their journey. God is the only real agent of growth in these sessions.
Simply put, Spiritual Direction is discernment, discerning where and how God is at work in your life. Discernment takes times, but the more you practice listening to yourself and wondering what God may be up to, the more you develop a keen sense of discernment.
Here is a post that helps explain the work.
Where do I start? I’m new to spiritual direction.
To begin, you will schedule a free 30 -minute appointment with me via Zoom or phone. This conversation gives you a chance to share a little about yourself, your faith journey, and to share why you are seeking spiritual direction at this time in your life. It also gives you an opportunity to ask me questions regarding my understanding and approach to helping others on their journey of spiritual wholeness.
After this initial appointment and if you want to continue with me in Spiritual Direction, a 50-minute session is set up. Most sessions are scheduled once a month unless you are in a season of change and/or intense discernment. Then, scheduling more sessions is appropriate.
To Prepare For Our Time Together:
Prior to our session you may want to reflect and ponder one or more of the following questions to make the most of our time together:
- In your ordinary life, what things seem to pull you closer to God? What things push or pull you away from God?
- What seems to continue surfacing that you feel resistance to?
- Where is God meeting you in your prayer time, or where do you feel God is not meeting you in these times?
- Do you feel stuck? What would it look like to you to be unstuck?
- Are you in a season of grief? How do you need God to be with you as you process this?
- Where are you experiencing joy in your life?
- Where are you receiving God’s grace in your life?
The above list of reflection questions is optional. If preparing for our session seems too much or overwhelming, I suggest taking a deep breath and trusting that God will guide what needs to be shared in our session.
Here is another post to consider.
Or simply schedule an appointment below:
Discounts available here.
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