In many books on spirituality you see the terms True Self, Core Self or Higher Self referring to the part of us connected to the Divine. In this post, I want to share what I’ve learned from my Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, Mike Phillips, about the Core Self (my favorite term). Internal Family Systems Therapy and Core Self IFS is a therapy model created in the 1980’s by Richard C. Schwartz, that works with various parts within us–some which... Read more
Spiritual direction has the potential to save lives. I’m not talking about religious salvation but literally saving a person from personal destruction. Listening Saves Lives What good spiritual directors do–the very act of prayerfully and deeply listening to someone as they share their joys, their challenges and suffering in life–might be all an individual needs to keep their chin up and keep going. I’m thinking especially of people who have been abused, shunned or marginalized by churches who decide “who’s... Read more
People wanting to become spiritual directors need training. So how does one find the right training program for themselves? Before searching for programs, ask yourself a few questions: Why do I want to be a spiritual director? What has been my experience of being in spiritual direction? (Traditionally, programs have required applicants to have significant experience as a directee). How much time am I willing to devote to training? How much money am I willing to spend to become trained?... Read more
An important part of any spiritual journey is remembering consolation, appreciating the joy and experiencing the gratitude we have for our relationship with the Divine. It’s also helpful to reflect on our “valley” experiences of disconnectedness from God, known as desolation. Both principles offer opportunities for spiritual growth. The terms consolation and desolation to describe our spiritual condition come from the writings of Ignatius of Loyola—cofounder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), an order of the Roman Catholic Church, around... Read more
Spiritual directors are fond of saying we find God in all things and all places, which means each of us has experienced the power and spirit of God in some way. A key aspect of spiritual direction is assisting people in uncovering their own awareness of the Holy. Language for God Here’s some of the language people use to describe how they experience God, even though they may not yet name it as an experience of God. find that every... Read more
Becoming aware of God’s presence in our lives and in the world is a crucial step in spiritual transformation. It solidifies our faith and inspires us along the way. In Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awakening in Congregations, Rev. Chad Abbott and I write about how faith communities and congregations can become more reflective about moments where they experience God’s presence. Special moments to Savor For most of us, the moments of acute awareness of the Spirit’s movement in our... Read more
In a world full of solutions, opinions, and advice, the listening ear is one of the most important gifts we can offer one another. It is an act of healing and vision. For people of faith and their communities, the gift of listening both to one another and God offers individuals a path to spiritual renewal and grants congregations a vision of their identity. In a time when congregations are in steep decline and facing significant uncertainty, learning to listen... Read more
A favorite question many spiritual directors ask after hearing their clients describe a difficult life situation is: “Where is God in this for you?” I’ve never liked using that question because I figure that is likely why the person came for spiritual direction. To explore God’s presence in that chaotic mess, which can be difficult to do alone. New Way of Seeing What spiritual directors can help with is inviting our directees to look at the situation differently. Spiritual director... Read more
You’ve made the commitment. You’ve set aside the time for spiritual direction. But you wonder “what do I need to talk about today?” When we have a burning question, situation or spiritual experience to explore with a spiritual director, then it’s no problem. That’s where you begin. But what if you don’t? Here are some ways to get the most out of your spiritual direction session regardless of whether you have a burning issue or not. Spend some time... Read more
By guest blogger, Anne Randerson, PhD In my previous post, I wrote about taking a Whit Monday stroll through our local park to get some fresh air and inspiration. Nature is a healthy option for combatting stress and fatigue; it nourishes my soul. I wrote about the obstacles, inspiration and discernment I experienced along this walk. In our capacity as spiritual directors we help our clients—our spiritual directees and companions—navigate the spiritual meaning that permeates their lives, including any unexpected... Read more
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