What is spiritual direction?

In spiritual direction, a Spiritual Director and Directee meet in a confidential, one-on-one setting for fostering the Directee’s spiritual growth. Spiritual direction has many different definitions, but my definition is: “Bearing witness to God’s grace in ourselves and our experiences through deep, holy listening, so that we may share in the liberating love of God at all times in all places.”

The main activity in spiritual direction sessions is often conversation between two people, where the Spiritual Director listens intently to the Directee without judgment, and the Directee decides the topic and shares whatever she desires to share. However, other activities in sessions can include dancing, acting, listening to or playing music, arts and crafts, sitting in silence, and even sacred reading.

Spiritual direction is not counseling, coaching, or therapy. It is more like spiritual companioning, or spiritual friendship. There is no “goal” in spiritual direction any more than there is a “goal” when children play with toys. It is listening deeply to the “still, small voice of God” for its own sake, in the hope that we will grow in our awareness of God’s grace in our lives.

Who is eligible for spiritual direction?

Anyone is eligible for spiritual direction as long as they seek to attend to their relationship with God (or whatever their name for God is). You do not have to be Methodist, Christian, or even believe in God according to any kind of creed or confession to be considered. There is no age requirement. However, it is ultimately up to the spiritual director’s discretion to decide with whom they will enter into a covenant agreement for spiritual direction during a set term.

If you are interested in spiritual direction services with me, please fill out and submit the form below.