What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction provides a secure, accepting, and non-judgmental space for individuals to be genuinely seen and heard on their spiritual and life journey. It delves into the meaning of one's life, supporting their unique path towards wholeness, self-actualization, and connection to the sacred or transcendent. This practice allows individuals to define "spirituality" for themselves and cultivate meaning, happiness, and peace in their lives. Spiritual direction guides individuals in strengthening their self-relationship, finding wisdom and answers within. Overall, it explores a deeper understanding of the spiritual dimension of human existence.

What Spiritual Direction is Not

Sometimes it is helpful when learning what something is to differentiate it with what it is NOT.

Spiritual Direction is not life coaching, which is supporting a client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
Spiritual Direction is not mentoring, which is showing or modeling the steps, practices or process to be emulated by another.
Spiritual Direction is not teaching, which involves imparting knowledge, ideas or principles from an external source that is deemed as authoritative.
Spiritual Direction is not therapy, the goal of which is to feel better and function more successfully, or treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.
Spiritual Direction is not a guru relationship in which a master initiates a novice into a deeper spiritual life.

What Happens in a Spiritual Direction Session?

While each session is different depending upon the person, director, and situation, it's not uncommon to begin a session with some kind of centering practice such as silence, meditation, or breathwork. A session typically involves discussing and processing spiritual matters that the person feels compelled to explore. There are many different modalities that can be utilized in a spiritual direction session that relates spirituality to the body, mind, heart and spirit. I desire that each person leaves a spiritual direction session feeling seen and heard, having gained greater acceptance and insight for where they are in their spiritual journey, and possessing the necessary guidance and support to continue on their path.