What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction explores a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Simply put, spiritual direction is helping people tell their sacred stories everyday. Spiritual direction has emerged in many contexts using language specific to particular cultural and spiritual traditions. Describing spiritual direction requires putting words to a process of fostering a transcendent experience that lies beyond all names and yet the experience longs to be articulated and made concrete in everyday living. It is easier to describe what spiritual direction does than what spiritual direction is. Spiritual direction helps us learn how to live in peace, with compassion, promoting justice, as humble servants of that which lies beyond all names. (Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv, Executive Director, Spiritual Directors International)

Spiritual direction is a time-honored term for a conversation, ordinarily between two persons, in which one person consults another, more spiritually experienced person about the ways in which God may be touching her or his life, directly or indirectly. In our postmodern age, many people dislike the term "spiritual direction" because it sounds like one person giving directions, or orders, to another. They prefer "spiritual companionship," "tending the holy," or some other nomenclature. What we call it doesn't make any real difference. The reality remains conversations about life in the light of faith. There was much to talk about, to sort out in the light of faith in those days when confusion in the Church became a daily reality.

Although spiritual direction has had a burst of new life, it is really quite ancient. Across both the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures, we find people seeking spiritual counsel. The Queen of Sheba sought out the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus gave us examples in his conversations with Nicodemus, with the woman at the well, in the ongoing formation of Peter and the other disciples. In the early church, people flocked to hermits in the desert for spiritual counsel. Across the centuries we find striking examples in some Irish monks, in some German Benedictine nuns, in Charles de Foucault, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francis de Sales, and others. Today, spiritual directors come from many traditions. (Marian Cowan, CSJ)

We define Christian spiritual direction as help given by one Christian to another which 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. (William A. Barry, SJ and William J. Connolly, SJ, Center for Religous Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)

 

What is not Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is not counseling, pastoral care or psychology. It is not therapy or financial planning. Like psychotherapy, it is often offered as a one-to-one or group experience in private sessions with spiritual mentors who have most likely completed extensive formation for the ministry of spiritual direction

 

How often do you meet?

Pilgrims tend to meet with their Spiritual Direction on a monthly basis and normally take a break over the Christmas/January period.

 

What can you expect in an Spiritual Direction session?

A Spiritual Direction session may involve exploring a pilgrim’s life journey and journey with the sacred. It may include times of silence, times of prayer and contemplation or it may involve conversation. Some Spiritual Directors use tools such as poetry, art materials, guided imagery or meditation. Above all the Spiritual Direction space is about you and your journey. It is a safe place where you can be yourself.

 

Who can be a Spiritual Director?

Spiritual Direction formation training is open to anyone; you don’t need to be ordained or have a theology degree. Spiritual Directors come from a wide range of backgrounds such as counseling, teaching, nursing, ministry and business. They undertake a formation course over a number of years and agree to peer supervision and to see their own Spiritual Director on a regular basis.

 

What training is available?

Melbourne is blessed to have a number of places offering Spiritual Direction formation and training. WellSpring offers a part-time course over three years. Click here for more information.

How much does it cost?

Spiritual Directors charge on average approximately $45 per hour session.

 

How do you find a Spiritual Director?

Click here for more information about finding a spiritual director through WellSpring.

 

Is there a Code of Ethics?

Yes, Spiritual Directors agree to adhere to a Code of Ethics (click here to download this document), as outlined by the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction.