Spiritual Direction in the New Year

Spiritual Direction in the New Year January 2, 2015

Direction session

Perhaps one of your goals for 2015 is to explore spiritual direction. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Spiritual direction is a confidential monthly one-on-one session devoted to your relationship with the Divine. The spiritual director’s job is to accompany you as you explore life experiences–challenges, questions, blessings, insights and awareness. Your job as directee is to simply come with a willingness to share your experiences with the director.

Spiritual direction is not just for clergy or religious professionals. Yes, we work with a lot of people who are in the business of spirituality. But we also work with retired persons, 12-steppers, “spiritual but not religious” seekers, people who are “done” with church, people who love their religious tradition and want to go deeper, and people who are drawn to life and work that is more spiritually oriented.

Spiritual directors come in many “flavors.” If you feel you need someone with particular background or experience and you are willing to work by phone, you can probably find exactly who you are looking for. It may take some internet searching and phone calls, but stay with it. You can start by checking out Spiritual Directors International’s “Seek and Find Guide” on their website www.sdiworld.org. I am also willing to talk with you about how to find the right director. I have contacts all over the country and may know someone in your area or who has the expertise you are looking for. Email me at teresa@teresablythe.net.

Spiritual directors usually charge for this monthly practice, especially if spiritual direction is their livelihood. You can sometimes find directors who work for free. Most directors offer a sliding scale if you need a price break. Keep in mind that prices for directors vary greatly according to region. They usually cost more in cities with higher costs of living.

Spiritual direction is not therapy or counseling. We are trained in active listening and encouraged to be non-directive in our approach with you. We don’t solve your problems or give advice. We are not gurus. We might offer occasional suggestions for spiritual practice but that’s about the extent of our teaching. Spiritual direction is a special kind of consulting relationship. Many people find the method we use to be quite helpful in building awareness of God, reflecting on life, and discerning our way forward.

Spiritual direction, however, is not for everyone. Some people want a more guided approach. For that you need to look at discipleship, spiritual life coaching or seek out a spiritual director who uses a more directive approach. Lots of people try spiritual direction for 3-4 sessions to see if it is what they need.

For more about spiritual direction as I practice it, check out my website.  I enjoy hearing from readers. Email me at teresa@teresablythe.net.


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