While the professionalization of spiritual direction is a relatively recent phenomenon, the practice of being guided to recognize the Spirit’s movement in our lives is as old as the Gospel itself. As a model of spiritual friendship, Jesus spent countless hours with his disciples asking questions, telling stories, and guiding his friends towards truth. His guidance was gentle and not self-serving, always pointing to where God was active in their midst.
In the same way, spiritual direction today is a practice of meeting with a trained spiritual director who asks questions and gently helps us awaken to where God has been active in our lives. Spiritual direction is not therapy, and the role of the spiritual director is never to tell us what to do, but to help us discern God’s voice for ourselves.
Most people who enter into spiritual direction meet with their director once or twice a month. Sessions typically last an hour, and pricing will vary depending on the practitioner and the location. Choosing a spiritual director requires some patience, as it may take a while to find the right fit. To find a list of spiritual directors in your area, try contacting local monasteries or retreat centers, or ask your pastor for a referral.
For more information:
www.sdicompanions.org
For further reading:
Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction, by Margaret Guenther