IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION NEW?
Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice of Western Christian spirituality that is experiencing a global renewal in the 21st century as it brings new depth and insight to thousands of people. This old yet new movement crosses all religious boundaries and reminds us that we are all One in the embrace of Divine Love. Spiritual direction has been especially important to Christians want to grow in their relationship with God, to shed their false selves, and to discover their authentic being, but find that the spirituality of their familiar churches no longer seems to work for them.
I work primarily with practicing Christians, but I have also been a director for such seekers as atheists, pagans, Jews, and Muslims. I have been a part of the spiritual direction movement since the late '60s. When formal training for spiritual directors became available in Houston, Texas, I was in the first class of the Spiritual Direction Institute, and completed my three-year training in 1987. I taught in the Institute for over twenty years, where I offered a unit on Dreams and Depth Psychology to third year students.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
The practice of spiritual direction assumes that everything in a person's life is ultimately involved with growth in consciousness, in love, and in relationship with Spirit. While divine Spirit is the true director, that Presence is mediated through a trusting one-to-one or small group relationship. I meet with a directee on a regular basis, from one to four times each month, listening to the movements of Love in the directee's soul. I temper my experience with prayer, intuition, and wisdom from Christian and other traditions as I assist the directee to become conscious of the difference between true and false self and of his or her relationship with Spirit.
WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL DIRECTION COST?
Fees for spiritual direction vary greatly. Directors who live in retreat centers or monasteries often offer their services for free other than a donation to their center. Others, who may depend on the practice of spiritual direction for part of their income, charge a fee that is discussed with a directee in the first meeting. When you contact me by telephone or email, I will tell you about my fees.
WHAT ARE SIGNS I MAY NEED SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Think about these kinds of issues as you consider seeing a spiritual director:
WHAT ABOUT GROUPS AND CHURCH STAFFS?
Group spiritual direction is emerging as an important dimension to the movement. The experience of Spirit is often especially powerful in small groups of four or five persons. When direction is a part of the discipline of pastoral staffs it brings a deep sense of community and mutual respect that flows throughout the whole congregation. Tell me how I can help your group or church staff grow spiritually. I have worked for over twenty years with church staffs to create collegial and effective mutual ministries.
Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice of Western Christian spirituality that is experiencing a global renewal in the 21st century as it brings new depth and insight to thousands of people. This old yet new movement crosses all religious boundaries and reminds us that we are all One in the embrace of Divine Love. Spiritual direction has been especially important to Christians want to grow in their relationship with God, to shed their false selves, and to discover their authentic being, but find that the spirituality of their familiar churches no longer seems to work for them.
I work primarily with practicing Christians, but I have also been a director for such seekers as atheists, pagans, Jews, and Muslims. I have been a part of the spiritual direction movement since the late '60s. When formal training for spiritual directors became available in Houston, Texas, I was in the first class of the Spiritual Direction Institute, and completed my three-year training in 1987. I taught in the Institute for over twenty years, where I offered a unit on Dreams and Depth Psychology to third year students.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
The practice of spiritual direction assumes that everything in a person's life is ultimately involved with growth in consciousness, in love, and in relationship with Spirit. While divine Spirit is the true director, that Presence is mediated through a trusting one-to-one or small group relationship. I meet with a directee on a regular basis, from one to four times each month, listening to the movements of Love in the directee's soul. I temper my experience with prayer, intuition, and wisdom from Christian and other traditions as I assist the directee to become conscious of the difference between true and false self and of his or her relationship with Spirit.
WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL DIRECTION COST?
Fees for spiritual direction vary greatly. Directors who live in retreat centers or monasteries often offer their services for free other than a donation to their center. Others, who may depend on the practice of spiritual direction for part of their income, charge a fee that is discussed with a directee in the first meeting. When you contact me by telephone or email, I will tell you about my fees.
WHAT ARE SIGNS I MAY NEED SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Think about these kinds of issues as you consider seeing a spiritual director:
- Does your career or work fit your calling? Is what you do a reflection of who you really are? Is God placing new choices before you?
- Do you and those who share life with you want to have a deeper mutual commitment to spiritual growth?
- Do you feel an emptiness in your life or in your heart that God can fill?
- Do you want to know more about who you are and who God has created you to become?
- Do you want to be more aware of your inner life, your dreams, and the presence of God?
- Has your current practice of prayer left you restless and feeling "unheard?" Do you want to learn new ways of prayer and meditation?
- Have you thought about giving up your religious quest because of doubts and questions?
WHAT ABOUT GROUPS AND CHURCH STAFFS?
Group spiritual direction is emerging as an important dimension to the movement. The experience of Spirit is often especially powerful in small groups of four or five persons. When direction is a part of the discipline of pastoral staffs it brings a deep sense of community and mutual respect that flows throughout the whole congregation. Tell me how I can help your group or church staff grow spiritually. I have worked for over twenty years with church staffs to create collegial and effective mutual ministries.