Spiritual direction what is it

About Contact More. Spiritual Direction. Spiritual direction is about a relationship. The religious experience is not isolated, nor does it consist of extraordinary events.

It is what happens in an ongoing relationship between the person and God. Most often this is a relationship that is experienced in prayer. Spiritual direction is a relationship that is going somewhere.

God is leading the person to deeper faith and more generous service. God touches the human heart directly. Gretchen Crowder. Loretta Pehanich. Marina Berzins McCoy. I have never looked back. I find the work of spiritual direction challenging and invigorating and a great joy. And why not? God is never boring.

God is so surprising, so creative and so desirous of our friendship. I have come to realize that God has promised us only that he will be with us; God does not promise success, health, a long life; but he has promised that he will be with us through everything life throws at us.

Such fidelity over centuries brings tears to my eyes. I have also learned through experience to trust the wisdom of Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises , especially in his rules for the discernment of spirits. What a gift he gave the church in that book! I have also been privileged to share great joys and great sorrows with many people as they move closer and closer to God.

And I also have the grace to be able to continue this work even into my eighties, and for as long as my faculties continue to function helpfully for others.

I feel as though my work is prayer, and that is a great grace indeed. Finally, since God is God, I am constantly surprised by joy. The biggest challenges came in the beginning, I think. I made all the mistakes of any beginner, allowing my concerns to get in the way of listening. For instance, the first time I directed some people in an eight day retreat, I had ideas for each day as to what texts might be helpful, what themes might come up, etc.

Of course, these got in the way of my listening to what the retreatant was looking for from God. However, when people suffer intractable problems or persistent dryness in prayer, then I have to remind myself, or be reminded in supervision, of my need to trust in God and to keep to my belief about what my role is as a spiritual director.

Another challenge is to care for everyone who comes for spiritual direction. All of us have our likes and dislikes, but if I cannot come to some liking of a person, I will not be able to be of real help to him or her. I have been surprised how often such prayer works.

I would first find out why they are thinking of trying spiritual direction to get some idea of their motivation. If I sensed that the reason had to do with a desire to develop a deeper relationship with God, then I would give them the names of some possible directors. I would tell them that they should try it out with someone for a few sessions and then ask themselves how they feel and whether they are getting some help with their relationship with God.

The typical setting is some kind of office space or room that is private, but also public, at least in the sense that others could see in. The latter caveat has been introduced since the abuse crisis. The format is informal.

Some directors use a candle or some other symbol; some begin each session with a prayer. After the usual greetings that make people feel at home, I usually ask how things are going. Since I have set the focus as the relationship with God, this is usually where we start, namely with what has been happening in that relationship since the last time we met.

We converse about the experiences of the directee. I ask questions that facilitate a reflection on these experiences and on what is of God in them. As the session winds down, we talk about the next steps the person will take in the relationship with God.

When the directee is satisfied that he or she knows where to go next, we finish. I think I answered this question when I answered the first one.

I believe that purpose is to help another to develop a deeper relationship with God. All of us can get untracked in the relationship with God at any stage of life. Every image of God we have is an idol, but some are more true to who God is than others. In fact, I think that God is constantly showing us the inadequacy of our images as we deepen our friendship with God.

I guess that something similar happens in any close friendship; there is always something new to learn about anyone since we are mysteries to ourselves as well as to others. But God is really Mystery itself. So relating to God means constantly giving up our mistaken notions and images of who God is.

SDI and local Ignatian spirituality centers are other ways to find a spiritual director. As in therapy, if the first one you try is not a good fit, keep searching until you find the right one. Contrary to what is seen in movies and on TV, this rite can be observed anytime and anywhere with a priest or a lay person called a confessor.

There have been a number of studies over the past few decades about the efficacy of spiritual confession and absolution on the psychological life and its positive healing outcomes. Bottom line: Being reconciled to God, self, and community is spiritually and psychologically life giving.

Finding a confessor: A confessor can be your clergy, therapist, spiritual director, or someone entirely different, such as a member of a local religious order. Danae M. Danae uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. Her interfaith Clergy Care Circles for therapeutic group spiritual direction directly supports diverse clergy in varied circumstances across the country. Danae's favorite past times include reading, traveling, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke.

Connect with God. Spiritual Direction vs. Therapy: What Is the Difference? Therapy, spiritual direction, and confession are gifts. Why would I need therapy? Then What is Spiritual Direction? I confess my sins to God, so why would I need a confessor? Upcoming Learning Experiences.

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