You may define yourself as deeply religious and rooted in a faith tradition, or you may define yourself as spiritual but not religious.
Whatever the spiritual or faith path, the Divine seeks you where you are.
Spiritual directors support all faiths.
Purpose of Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction enables you to listen and respond more effectively to God’s personal communication in your life. This, in turn, cultivates the interior spiritual life where you meet the Holy Spirit one-on-one, and true transformation takes place. Spiritual direction is more about asking questions than about giving answers.
How Spiritual Direction is Different from Counseling
Counseling assumes the person has a problem or issue that is preventing them from leading the life they want to live. Spiritual direction is not advice-giving, teaching, or problem solving. A Spiritual Director is a companion who will help you listen and look at the action of the Spirit in your life and help you to listen to your own heart. Spiritual direction always happens in the context of prayer.
Gifts of Spiritual Direction
Identify and trust your own experience of God
Integrate spirituality into your daily life
Live the essence of your spirituality with integrity
Discern and make difficult choices
Develop a sensitivity for how your spirituality calls you to make a difference in the community or world
What to Expect
To discuss whatever seems significant in your life at this time with the focus being on your relationship with the Divine
To explore a variety of spiritual practices
A private, quiet, confidential, and comfortable setting
To meet once or twice a month
How to Choose a Spiritual Director
Look for a person who demonstrates:
Solid theological knowledge about the life of the Spirit
Fidelity to a personal faith journey, as well as openness to transformation
Compassion—someone who listens and with whom you can be at ease, who takes your quest seriously, and who facilitates your growth in trust
Life of prayer and acceptance—someone who is willing to ponder mystery and to allow you to live into mystery
Commitment to hold confidences
