What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is an
ancient ministry, a unique one-to-one relationship in which a trained person assists
another person in the search for an ever-closer union of love with that which the person
holds sacred. Spiritual Directors do NOT impose their beliefs on others; rather they
listen carefully to the unfolding of a directee's life story so as to help him or her
discern the ways in which their spirits are calling to and leading them throughout their
lives. Spiritual Direction is a form of guiding and teaching that has been practiced for
thousands of years. The role of the Spiritual Director is to help others find their way to
their own spiritual truth. In this sense, spiritual directors may also be called "Way
Showers".
The term "way" actually has great historical significance because almost all
religions have referred to their spiritual discipline as "the way". For example,
before they were called Christians, Jesus' disciples were called "those who belong to
the Way". During this same time period, a small Jewish sect known as the Essenes also
called their discipline the Way. The Chinese word "Tao" means path or way and
both Taoists and Confucians regard themselves as followers of the Way. Similarly, the
Sanskrit word "marga" means any of three ways to salvation and Hindus use this
term to describe their spirituality. Lastly, Sufis follow "tariqah", which is an
Arabic term that means path or way and refers to a system of rites for the spiritual
training of a Sufi order. So it seems for centuries people have been seeking spiritual
direction in order to find their way. And the search for answers continues to this day...
Spiritual Direction provides one way to meet the needs of individuals who are functioning
well in their lives, yet are experiencing a sense of emptiness, a lack of direction, a
desire for something more. These individuals seek guidance and validation in nurturing
their spirits and giving voice to their beliefs and questions about life, the meaning of
suffering, their relationship with nature, universal energy, God, Creator, etc.
Within our technological age and the global economy, more and more people are feeling
lost, alienated and unfulfilled. They are focusing more on finding meaning, balance and
purpose in their lives. They often ask themselves, "Is this all there is?" or
"What is my purpose?" This focus and these questions have lead to renewed
interest in spirituality/religion and highlight the need for spiritual direction.
Given the special nature of Spiritual Guidance and Direction it is NOT to be used in place
of psychotherapy when psychotherapy is indicated. Therefore, if true spiritual direction
is not what you are seeking, then I will provide you with a referral to a psychotherapy
provider.
WHO PROVIDES SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Generally only individuals who have completed seminary training and/or have received
certification as a Spiritual Director may provide spiritual direction.
WHAT CAN A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR OFFER YOU?
A Spiritual Director can serve as a guide, someone who can help you to find and listen to
your inner voice, the voice of your intuition, of the universe, of G-d. A Spiritual
Director can help you find your way to meaning, to peace, to fulfillment. A Spiritual
Director can help you to reconnect with nature, with your spirituality and with others.
Spiritual Directors help you to clarify your beliefs and values, discern the course of
action to be taken, contemplate the meaning and purpose of your life and reconnect with
the sacredness that is apparent in all things at all times when one is open the
experience. These are all the things a Spiritual Director can help you to do.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?
The two disciplines have a different focus. Psychotherapy focuses on remediating pathology
and helping individuals to solve problems, develop skills, make adjustments to life
circumstances. One can say that psychotherapy focuses on serving ego-related issues. In
comparison, Spiritual Direction focuses on spiritual growth and developing awareness,
insight and a relationship with the sacred. One can say that Spiritual Direction focuses
on serving spirit-related issues. The two disciplines can work complementarily; however,
the primary purpose of spiritual direction is not to solve problems in one's life;
although this is often a positive benefit that will occur when one finds direction in
their life. Spiritual Direction sessions are characterized by privacy, peacefulness,
safety and acceptance.
Spiritual Direction is an ongoing relationship with regularly scheduled meetings between
the director and the directee seeking guidance. Spiritual Direction does not involve
seeking out a helper when in crisis or only on an as-needed basis. It is a process and
requires commitment from both parties. The directee is expected to be an active particpant
in this process while the director listens, questions, suggests and offers guidance and
resources.
Spiritual Directors recognize the purpose of spiritual direction, what is is and is not
intended to provide. Therefore, Spiritual Directors will carefully choose with whom they
work and will identify when a referral for another type of intervention is deemed
appropriate.
"Do not look for an easy
path to spiritual enlightenment.
It does not exist. Look first at what you can
do for the common good of all."
Buddha
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