What Is Spiritual Direction?

Who do you talk to about God?

In his book, “Let Your Life Speak” Parker Palmer observes that our lives often move in seasons. In each season (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall) we experience God differently. Sometimes we know that God is doing something new, sometimes we need to bask in that, and with those good times often comes times of fading or bleakness when we talk about God. Maybe God is distant. Wherever you find yourself today, know this, God is not far.

Spiritual direction is an ancient practice whereby a seeker meets with one who is seasoned in the spiritual journey for reflection, support, and guidance. This practice is common for monastic life, but has been made accessible for lay people as well. Spiritual direction training and certification is now accessible. There are multiple certification programs available and typically a Spiritual Director is someone who feels called to this ministry of listening, observing and helping a directee (see also a pilgrim, one who is on a journey, one who is willing to intentionally look for God) find the things of God in their own lives. They also typically have their own Spiritual Director and see them regularly.

The art and practice of spiritual direction is specifically designed to help you discern God’s presence and action in your life, which always leads to greater clarity and freedom. In many ways spiritual direction is similar to counseling or talk therapy but a Spiritual Director does not focus on cognitive and behavioral therapy as much as opening to God’s presence and action and deepening discernment for how to live life with purpose and meaning. Spiritual direction is not a form of therapy or counseling. A good spiritual director will know when to refer a client for psychological support. Spiritual direction is also not life coaching, because there is a distinctly spiritual element to the work. While you don’t have to identify with a specific spiritual tradition necessarily, you do need to be open to the spiritual aspect of life.

As you become astute at opening and becoming more and more receptive to God’s presence and action, healing of emotional wounds occurs allowing you to cooperate more effectively with the Spirit of God in everyday life.

Sessions are usually about 50 minutes long. Most people tend to see their director once a month, however this may be more in the beginning. Sessions can be conducted in person or via Facetime/Skype or over the phone.