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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? Spiritual direction is about the journey of your soul which seeks to know God, self and others in a deep, loving way. It is about growing in understanding your relationship with God. Your soul thirsts to know God personally. Frequently, it takes another spiritual soul to walk with you so God can mirror through them what your soul needs to know. A spiritual director is someone you can talk with confidentially about your prayer and spiritual life. Because every aspect of your daily life affects your relationship with God, ordinary concerns such as work, ministry, family, relationships, emotional hurts, joy, anger, sexual concerns, fears, compulsions, addictions, dreams, etc. are properly shared in spiritual direction. A director helps you explore the darkness of self-doubt, confusion, fear and anger so that you are able to be free of what blocks you from God's loving presence. You are helped to truly see yourself through God's eyes as the gift you are. Spiritual direction helps develop the gift of discernment, which enables you to be more attentive to how God is leading and guiding you. You grow in noticing the ways in which God is touching your life, directly or indirectly. Some people dislike the term "spiritual direction" because it sounds like one person giving directions, or orders, to another. They prefer "spiritual companionship," or "tending the holy." What you call it doesn't make any real difference. The reality remains: it is conversation about your life in the light of faith.
WHAT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IS NOT Spiritual direction is not counseling. It is not therapy. It is not financial advice. It is for anyone who seeks a deeper, real relationship with God.
A spiritual director is someone called to and well trained in this ministry. She or he should be grounded in the Scriptures, sustained by a deep prayer life, acquainted with the various ways of spirituality, and carefully trained in the area of discernment. If she or he has experience or has expertise in areas related to your life situation then this may make for a good match. It is imperative that a spiritual director be in ongoing spiritual direction.
Frequency of direction varies with individual need and circumstance. Some people find that meeting every four weeks is ideal. Others require more frequent sessions with their spiritual director. WHAT DOES IT COST? It is customary to offer a stipend to support the spiritual director in this ministry. You and the director should discuss this during your first session. MUST I COME TO MANRESA TO MEET WITH A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR? While there are many spiritual directors who meet with persons at Manresa, there are directors who live throughout southeastern Michigan and Ohio. HOW DO I BEGIN? If you are interested in learning more about Spiritual Direction or would like to meet with a director, contact Ann Dillon. She is a member of our staff who can answer your questions. She will also help you find a director who would be a good match for you. Ann can be reached by calling Manresa at 248.644.4311, ext. 13 or by email at adillon@manresa-sj.org |
