i'm a certified spiritual director!!!

having finished an amazing program, what's next?

Today was my last class of the Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation certification program/cohort I’ve been journeying with for the last two years.

Phew, it’s official:

I’m a Spiritual Director :)

spiritual direction with Frog and Toad

Since this feels like a transitional moment, I want to head it off by saying a bit about the ways I’ll be putting this work into practice, but FIRST, by answering the most common question I’ve received lately.

“So…what is spiritual direction?”

“Is it a kind of therapy?” No.

“Is it pastoral counseling?” Nope.

“What about life coaching?” Nah.

I’ve been sitting here for a few minutes trying to think of the most concise definition of spiritual direction, and here’s the best I’ve got:

Accompanied Discernement.

Let’s flesh it out a little bit.

I like Teresa Blythe’s definition¹:

Spiritual direction is the exploration of a person’s spiritual path with someone trained in listening, deep reflection and discernment.

I also like Father Jim Martin’s definition²:

Spiritual direction is the practice in which an experienced person helps another person notice where God is active in that person’s prayer and daily life.

And finally, the Center for Prophetic Imagination’s definition³ (through whom this program was co-presented):

Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they discern the presence of the Spirit in their life or attempt to grow deeper into the spiritual life.

So with these definitions in mind, let’s go back to my two word definition above and look at each part.

Accompanied DISCERNMENT

Spiritual direction is alllll about discernment. Noticing the movements of the Divine in our lives and in our communities. Following the sacred lures drawing us into our callings and vocations. Listening, listening, listening.

The word discernment is tossed around a lot, sometimes used interchangeably with “decision-making” when someone wants to make a process seem more spiritual than it perhaps is. Discernment, though, is not the same thing as making a decision, not even when it is a long, drawn-out one. Discernment, in fact, is far more about noticing and responding than it is logic, reasoning, discussing, or planning.

Discernment is a gently honed and consistently practiced form of paying attention.

There are many ways that people feel Divine movement in their lives. Spiritual Direction is not meant to be prescriptive, but rather to help directees sense the unique ways they experience and interact with this movement.

ACCOMPANIED discernment

Spiritual direction is done through companionship. The practice of spiritual direction works around the idea that an experienced director can accompany a directee in their spiritual life simply by listening deeply and well. Now, “simply” is a paradoxical term there, because while listening deeply seems to be an incredibly simple approach, the practice of deep listening can get complicated very quickly, especially when we are so often inclined toward surface level listening, listening in order to respond, maintaining social norms, problem solving for others, and mollifying discomfort at the expense of true connection or exploration.

The name “spiritual director” has the risk of being misunderstood as someone who directs the spiritual life by giving spiritual homework like certain prayer practices or tells directees what they’re doing right or wrong. The spiritual path is not something than can be prescribed by the director. It belongs solely to the directee, and the job of the director is to help direct attention toward it, encouraging deep exploration. While there are certainly opportunities for sharing resources and practices that may be helpful to a directee, the relationship is not a teacher/student dynamic.

my specific flavor of spiritual direction

I could say a lot more about the practice and tradition (duh, I just finished a two year course on it), but I’ll save further reflections for later on.

As you know if you’re following my work, in addition to being formally theologically trained and now certified in the practice of spiritual direction, I’m a visual artist. My work with creativity is inseparable from my work with spirituality.

So, I like to refer to myself as a “Creative Spiritual Director.” To me, this means that the practice of spiritual direction is not limited to simply talking to one another, but extends out into the creative practices of making things with our hands. This could be as simple as drawing or hand-sewing while talking to help free up the mind from interpersonal constraints. It could also be making a collage or painting around a certain area of discernment that feels particularly difficult, seeing what comes up visually that didn’t come up verbally.

an example session

I know that some of this can feel nebulous (because it is!), so here is a simplified example of what an hour-long spiritual direction session with me could look like. Of course, every single session is different.

• Opening in Silence

• Checking In - today and since the previous session (if any)

• Setting a focus question, word, or intention

• Open-ended and hands-on creative work

• Noticings and intentions going forward

• Closing in Silence/Prayer

Many people meet regularly with their spiritual directors (bi-weekly or monthly) while others meet more sporadically. Sessions look different based on the directee’s session history, comfort level with different spiritual/religious practices and languages, and individual noticings.

work with me

I’m currently in the process of getting my physical space set up, so I’ll be ready to start working with directees in person this summer! I will also be able to meet with directees virtually via Zoom. If you’re interested, feel free to send me an email. Once I have my meeting space and my scheduling set up, I’ll send it out via this newsletter.

I will also be offering a limited number of free spiritual direction hours to congregants of Ridglea Christian Church (where I am Artist-in-Residence and also where my office will be). This labor exchange is how I will be paying my rent at the church, so congregants—please take advantage of this offering!

gratitude

I have so much gratitude for this Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation program (described by one colleague as “Spiritual Direction with teeth”), our instructors Maki Ashe Pendergast and Daniel Wolpert, and my truly incredible co-conspirators with whom I’ve been walking these past two years in this global cohort.

Wow wow wow.

1. in Spiritual Direction 101: the basics of spiritual guidance by Teresa Blythe

2. “What is Spiritual Direction?” video on YouTube, “Learning to Pray” series

3. https://propheticimagination.org/spiritual-direction/