What Is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is the process of accompanying people on a spiritual
journey. Spiritual direction exists in a context that emphasizes growing closer to God (or the sacred, the holy or a higher power).
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 the contemplative practice of helping another person
or group to awaken to the mystery called God in all of life, and to respond to
that discovery in a growing relationship of freedom and commitment. (James
Keegan, SJ, Roman Catholic, USA, on behalf of the 2005 Coordinating Council of
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)
Follow the links below for descriptions of spiritual direction in various spiritual traditions:
- What is Christian spiritual direction?
- What is Jewish spiritual direction?
- What is Islamic spiritual direction?
- What is Buddhist spiritual direction?
- What is Taoist spiritual direction?
- What is Eastern-philosophy (Yoga) spiritual direction?
If you offer spiritual direction in one of the above spiritual traditions or a different spiritual tradition, we invite you to submit a description of spiritual direction from your tradition's perspective to be reviewed for inclusion on the website. E-mail descriptions of spiritual direction, along with your name, spiritual tradition, and country of residence to:
What Spiritual Direction Is Not
Spiritual direction is not counseling.
Spiritual direction is not therapy.
Spiritual direction is not financial
advice.
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 – it is up to you to choose a spiritual
director who has the training, formation and experience that suits your needs. Spiritual direction includes your deity or higher
power as a third partner in the process. While it may be appropriate at times to discuss personal and relational struggles in the context of
spiritual direction, a spiritual director is not a psychotherapist, nor does the spiritual director provide such services. Similarly, you may
discuss financial issues in spiritual direction but a spiritual director does not offer financial advice and any decisions and actions you
may take in that regard are done without advice or recommendation, and are purely your responsibility.