What is spiritual direction?
Companioning on the Way
We often describe our spiritual life as a “walk,” “journey,” “path,” or “way.” Maybe today that feels like sitting by a peaceful stream, or a cozy fire. Or perhaps it feels closer to a crowded city street, walking alone through a deep forest, or even climbing a mountain.
We may feel unsettled in our mind, body and spirit. When that happens, our soul feels weary, clouded, or constrained. It feels lonely.
A spiritual companion walks with you into that space and listens.
Sacred Listening
This style of listening supports the spiritual journey when we “... are hungry, and we don’t know for what. We want something, but we can’t name it, [...] we want to be touched, we want to be known as children of God.” - Margaret Guenther, Holy Listening
Vulnerability, longing, and curiosity drive us to make meaning out of our experiences of God.
Please know that a spiritual companion is neither an expert in the spiritual life nor a wellspring of ready wisdom. And they are not really a resource to receive a prescription for better spiritual living either. In fact, what they do offer: introspective silence, reflective questions, and sacred space, can actually feel unsettling and unnerving. Their reticence at advice-giving may even cause life-giving frustration.
Spirit Filled Space
By now you might wonder why you would meet with another person only to feel unnerved, unsettled or frustrated. But there is comfort in wrestling deep questions with a friend.
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What has it been like to journey in this space alone?
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I would love to hear about your first experience of God. And, what is that like now?
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God wants you to know your true self and to know that you are God's beloved child. What has that felt like for you recently?
We don't meet with a spiritual director to receive their wisdom. Instead, we take steps toward trusting this spirit-minded listener, and invite them to walk with us to make sense of our experiences of God. We deepen our understanding of prayer, while trusting that any wisdom and insights come from the Holy Spirit.
Do you remember when Jesus said, "wherever two or three people come together in my name, I am there, right among you" (Mat 18:20, Phillips)?
God is with us in this space.
We trust completely in this truth with wonder and awe, and what a privilege it is to companion others into the presence of God.
Still wondering?
1. I'm interested, but I'd like read more about the process.
Richard Foster's essay provides helpful details for roles, boundaries and expectations.
2. How do I know if I need counseling, pastoral care or spiritual direction?
3. What will we talk about?
Sometimes we need all three! The UUMA created a really helpful guide here. Think about the reasons you are seeking soul care right now, and then use the guide to discern what type you need.
Well, God is with us in all things, and maybe even despite all the things. So, you may want to talk about any of those things, especially if your current reality has made that more difficult. Our work, relationships, and physical body are all areas where God is with us. Talking about that with a spiritual director simply offers a second set of spiritual ears to listen with us.
4. Is it confidential?
Yes. Absolutely. And it is also important for you to know that spiritual directors meet with peers for supervision. But we never share details that compromise confidentiality.
"This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us."
Romans 5:3-5, Phillips
Who are you becoming?
