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Spiritual direction is an interpersonal relationship in which one person assists others in examining their lives in the light of who they are called to become in fidelity and obedience to the deepest, inmost urgings of their hearts. Spiritual direction is a tool for use in developing one's ability to discern the inner voice of the Spirit and develop the courage, faith and willingness to obey it freely.
The director accompanies the client
through the gradual transformation of ego-centered vision and
choices so that they eventually become Spirit-centered. In translating
and expressing reality from the spiritual perspective, the director
elicits the same level of self in the client. The director engages
the language of the client's higher self and models that language
or form to the client until the client lives it himself. The spiritual
director simply assists in the emergence, via remembrance, of
the voice of Spirit from the unconscious into the conscious.
HOW DOES SPIRITUAL DIRECTION DIFFER
FROM PSYCHOTHERAPY?
The goal of most therapy is to strengthen the ego-identity so that the client can function more effectively in society. The goal of spiritual direction is to strengthen the client's connection with the soul and deepen the client's awakening remembrance of Spirit.
In psychotherapy, ego is the name of the authentic, free, conscious, personal self. A healthy ego is essential to having a mature spiritual life. We must possess our ego before we can freely allow it to mature and surrender itself to be transformed.
The word ego has an almost opposite meaning in most classic
spiritual traditions. Western Christian tradition employs the
word to identify the immature, prideful self that denies dependence
on others or on the Divine. In Eastern tradition, the ego often
refers to the illusion of separateness that stands in the way
of enlightenment. Spiritual growth consists of breaking through
that illusion and experiencing our Oneness with the Universe.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
If therapy addresses the question, "Who am I?" then spiritual direction addresses the question, "Why am I here?" Spiritual direction engages the whole person- body, mind, spirit- in reflecting on and responding to this question.
Spiritual direction serves the person who is ready to move from the ego- centered place of "This is what I want! This is what I need" into the richer, more challenging exploration of "What does God or the Universe expect from me and my particular talents?"
Spiritual direction offers healing to persons whose past experiences of the judgments and strictures of organized religion are interfering with their desire to pursue a spiritual path.
Spiritual direction supports the person who is willing to risk denying the ego's demand for constant attention and unachievable perfection in order to embrace the soul's invitation to growth, mystery and wholeness.
A spiritual director is "one who puts his own search at the disposal of others."(Henry Nouwen)
"Our God dwells within us and the only way we can become one with God is to become one with our authentic self."(Maurice Blondel)
"Whoever travels without a guide needs two hundred years for a two-day journey."(Rumi)
"The idea that anything spiritual must be solemn and serious is a big problem in the West. Your religions are full of genuflection, kneeling and bowing to hierarchical powers. It takes the fun out of it. Western religion seems allergic to fun. So it's very hard to wake people here up to a liberated spirituality- a spirituality that allows the soul some relaxation and good feelings."(Malidoma Some)
A bit of advice given to a young Native American at the time of his initiation:"As you go the way of life, you will come to a great chasm.
Jump.
It is not as wide as you think."
(Joseph Campbell)