What is Spiritual Direction?

 Wishing to develop the spiritual side of who you are?
Having a Spiritual Director May be Helpful!

by Lynda Chalmers

What is spiritual direction? It can be difficult to define. Spiritual direction is about accompanying people on their personal unique spiritual journeys. Spiritual direction is about desiring to make the spiritual part of life more present to oneself or to recognize the holy in the everyday of our lives. In the space that is created in a spiritual direction session, there is an invitation to recognize the spiritual of being human. There is an invitation to allow the experience of God in the everyday to build relationship with God, connecting the human spirit with God’s spirit. It provides space to acknowledge our deepest longings – to explore the mysteries of life and our longings to feel loved and significant. It provides space and understanding that life doesn’t just happen in a horizontal way but also has a vertical and transcendent dimension as well. It provides a place to explore spiritual practices that a directee may be interested in that may foster a more contemplative life where the spiritual may emerge. It provides safety for your personal and unique unfolding of spiritual development. The focus is on your experience and not on theory. Spiritual direction is not about bringing a relationship about between the directee and a higher power, for that is already there before undertaking spiritual direction.

What happens in spiritual direction? In spiritual direction from a Christian tradition, there is a spiritual director and a directee. It sounds hierarchical but is not. It is understood as an equal relationship where both people are seekers of God (higher power, the divine or Love) in their lives. It is not an advice giving session but a place where the directee can ponder and wrestle with the mysteries in their life and the director can be present, ask questions and facilitate the directee to extend their enjoyment of God,  as well as their understanding and relationship with God. It is a place of possibilities and surprises!

How is spiritual direction different from counselling? My background training is in psychotherapy and I have a degree which focuses on a wholistic approach to people’s mental health and includes a bio, psycho, social, spiritual approach. My research and thesis included spirituality in therapy and being a spiritual director has extended that interest wonderfully. Perhaps because of my background, one of the first things people want to know is how is spiritual direction different from counselling? There are some similarities, of course. The session is approximately the same length of time, there is usually a payment for the service, there is space for concentrated attention to the directee as there is for a counselling client and there is focussed listening by the director as there is by the counsellor. There is also a trusting relationship that builds so the work can be done. The biggest difference is the purpose. The reason someone goes to counselling is normally because something is not going well in their lives and they are desiring change. The purpose for spiritual direction is that someone wants a deeper relationship with the spiritual in their lives.

So to reiterate…

What is Spiritual Direction?

Definition: Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their personal spirituality.

Purpose:

• To foster spiritual growth and discernment.
• To provide support during significant life decisions.
• To develop a deeper awareness of the presence of the divine.

Process:

1. Initial Meeting:
   • Introduction to the spiritual direction process.
   • A Discussion of individual needs and expectations.

2. Regular Sessions:

1. • Typically lasting 60 minutes.
   • Held monthly, bi-monthly, or as needed.

3. Dialogue and Reflection:

1. • Engaging in purposeful conversation and active listening.
   • Reflecting on personal experiences and spiritual practices.

4. Confidentiality:

1. • Ensuring a safe and private environment.
   • What is shared remains between the director and the directee.

Benefits:

• Cultivates a deeper spiritual life.
• Provides clarity and insight into personal challenges.
• Encourages intentional living and decision-making aligned with one’s values.

Who Can Benefit?:

• Individuals seeking a more profound spiritual connection.
• People navigating life transitions or seeking purpose.
• Anyone wishing to explore their spirituality in a supportive setting.

Contact Information:

• Lynda Chalmers
• Email: lynda.chalmers@gmail.com

Cost:

$100.00 per session

Currently have one space available

About Me

I have had a counselling practice for the last 35 years and have been practicing using a bio, psycho, social, spiritual model. My interest in spirituality has been lifelong and it increased when I did my research on spirituality in counselling for my thesis. Both of these themes have been very much alive for me as I have facilitated people’s growth in my counselling practice.

My personal education in spiritual direction has been ongoing for some time. I originally did 3 years with the soul stream group which formally trains spiritual directors. Recently I completed 3 years weekly calls readings and discussions with Anam Cara. Each of these years required my own spiritual direction. I continue my quest to foster my own  spiritual growth and discernment. Currently, I am involved in a weekly group to expand my touch points spiritually. I continue on the path of contemplative living and have my own goals for an increasing sense of the presence of God in my daily life.

Lynda Chalmers MA RCC

Spiritual Director Certification

Certified High Performance Coach