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What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life?

What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life? Center for Wholistic Spirituality St. Thomas University What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life?

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What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life?

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  1. What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life? Center for Wholistic Spirituality St. Thomas University

  2. What Is Spiritual Companionship in Daily Life? • “Companionship” is literally a relationship with someone with whom we “break bread.” Just as bread sustains our physical body, a Spiritual Companion could be understood as a friend with whom we share spiritual food to sustain our soul and spirit as we contemplate the mystery of being human together.

  3. Why Do We Need Spiritual Companions? • Today there are many indications of a deep hunger in people for “something more” than the excess offered by our very prosperous culture. • Spirituality, once mainly the interest of formal religious traditions has gone mainstream.

  4. Why Do We Need Spiritual Companions? • TV talk shows, radio, magazine stands and book stores all address an abundance of spiritual topics. • How can people who yearn for the deeper peace that comes from a spiritual way of life find their way in the midst of the real challenges of their daily lives and the confusing array of spiritual material on the market?

  5. Spiritual Companions in Daily Life Can Help! • Many have found that it helps to find someone who has asked some of the same life questions or whose life has led them on a similar spiritual quest. • Someone who has learned something about the nature of the spiritual path, deepened their own relationship to the Mystery we call God, and learned how to share their spiritual life experiences with others can offer needed support.

  6. Spiritual Companionships Come in Many Forms • Most spiritual companionships are unstructured. It is possible to have more than one spiritual companion. • Meetings with spiritual companions can be spontaneous or even unexpected.

  7. Spiritual Companionships Come in Many Forms • These relationships could be short-term or could last a lifetime. • They are characterized by mutuality, so that anyone or all in the spiritual companionship relationship could expect to give and receive spiritual gifts and insights.

  8. Examples of Spiritual Companionships in Daily Life • Spiritual Friendships • Some people seem to be easier to talk to about God and our spiritual life. They are able to listen to us deeply. Sometimes they “hear” not just what we say, but even what we don’t say! People in our families or extended families sometimes are recognized for their spiritual wisdom. These spiritual companionships are a treasured means of mutual spiritual support.

  9. Examples of Spiritual Companionships in Daily Life • “Soul Mates” • Sometimes the inner connection between two people is so profound that the relationship between them is of mutual benefit and deep spiritual significance for both. Here the prayer and life experience of each person harmonizes so powerfully with the other that a deep love develops that lasts for the rest of their lives.

  10. Examples of Spiritual Companionships in Daily Life • Unplanned Encounters • It happens that people meet by coincidence, not necessarily in a so-called religious or spiritual place, where some sort of personal spiritual conversation and support happens between two or more people. This is most often a one-time event, although it could be possible for the spiritual companionship to grow into spiritual friendship.

  11. The Workplace Our Neighborhoods Our Communities On Airplanes At Perfume Counters In Bookstores Waiting in Line The Doctor’s Office Hospitals Recovery Groups At Times of Celebration Crisis Sorrow Where Could Unplanned Encounters Happen? …anytime, anywhere two or more are gathered….

  12. Are You Interested in Becoming a Spiritual Companion? • Becoming a Spiritual Companion in Daily Life is the desire of more and more people of faith as they come to recognize the deep spiritual hunger in our homes, workplaces and communities. • Many people are aware of the need to offer and receive “spiritual food” for life’s journey.

  13. Here’s How • The Center for Wholistic Spirituality at St. Thomas University offers a 3-year certificate program to prepare Spiritual Companions in Daily Life. Classes begin each September and continue through the first week in May on Monday evenings from 6:30-9:00 PM at the Main Campus. • We welcome your inquiries! Contact: Susan Loretta Center for Wholistic Spirituality St. Thomas University 16400 NW 32 Ave., Miami, FL 33054 305 628-6548 email: sloretta@stu.edu

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