Spiritual direction is becoming more visible in church communities and spiritual organizations. What is spiritual direction? Here are a variety of answers to that question.
William S. Berry, SJ (Society of Jesus; Jesuit Priesthood), defines it as “help given by one (believer) to another that enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship”.
Spiritual Director, Tricia Spitzmueller, describes it as an “invitation to listen and discover the deeper movements in one’s life through conscious awareness. Through compassionate listening, reflection and companioning, one is also supported in creating change for a healthier balance and connection with one’s True Self, God and others.”
Sister Brigid Marie Keefe, of the Visitation Monastery in Minnesota states, having mentioned the word “director”, it might be helpful to say here that the term of director could be misleading. Spiritual directors are really there to accompany you, mostly to listen to you, and to ask questions as you journey with God. We are not there to tell you what to do, how to think, or to fix anything in your life. It is your journey, your own unique relationship with God, as you understand God. The Holy Spirit is the real director.
Have you ever had a moment when you’ve felt particularly close to God and wished you could live every day in a way that is connected like that? Or, do you wish to go deeper in the relationship you do have with God?
Have you ever experienced anguish or sorrow and pain, and wondered: “Where is God in all this?”
Maybe you never had a relationship with God, and wonder if you could start, and where to start.
These are some of the circumstances people describe that have led them to spiritual direction…
Consider taking a closer look at this experience.
