An Introduction to Spiritual Direction

1. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction www.colettelafia.com

2. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction Introduction In this webinar we will address four questions: What is spiritual direction? Why is spiritual direction valuable? Who can be a spiritual director? How can you offer spiritual direction?

3. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? The Roots of Spiritual Direction “Although spiritual direction has had a burst of new life, it is really quite ancient. Across both the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures, we find people seeking spiritual counsel. The Queen of Sheba sought out the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus gave us examples in his conversations with Nicodemus, with the woman at the well, in the ongoing formation of Peter and the other disciples. In the early church, people flocked to hermits in the desert for spiritual counsel. Across the centuries we find striking examples in some Irish monks, in some German Benedictine nuns, in Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francis de Sales, and others.…" Marian Cowan, CSJ Spiritual Directors International, www.sdiworld.org. Accessed on 20 September 2015

4. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? Describing Spiritual Direction "Spiritual direction is the contemplative practice of helping another person or group to awaken to the mystery called God in all of life, and to respond to that discovery in a growing relationship of freedom and commitment." James Keegan, SJ, Roman Catholic, USA, on behalf of the 2005 Coordinating Council of Spiritual Directors International Source: Spiritual Directors International, www.sdiworld.org. Accessed on 20 September 2015

5. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? Describing Spiritual Direction “Spiritual direction at its best entirely focuses on helping the directee become attentive to the presence, action, and movements of God in ordinary human experiences, and on noticing the directee’s own responses to these movements of the Holy.” Mary Ann Scofield, RSM, founding member of SDI

6. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? Describing Spiritual Direction Spiritual direction is an historically rooted ministry of the Christian tradition whereby certain persons are called by God to act as spiritual companions to others on their faith journey. The director has been trained to act in this ministry. It is primarily a ministry of listening and discernment. As we are all on the way and equal in the Lord, the director assumes no superiority in faith but rather a humble and contemplative posture toward the directee in witnessing God’s action and loving presence in his or her life.

7. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? • Format of Spiritual Direction • In the spiritual direction relationship, there is present: • The spiritual director • The spiritual directee • God, the Holy • (Typically 1-1 or in a group with a spiritual director) • Usually 50-minute sessions • Monthly • Private Space • Confidential relationship

8. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? Format of Spiritual Direction

9. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? • The Three Chairs • The spiritual director • The spiritual directee • God, the Holy • (The third chair reminds • the director to lean back into God) Illustration from: Spiritual Directors International, www.sdiworld.org. Accessed on 20 September 2015

10. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? • What Spiritual Direction is not…. • Spiritual direction is not therapy, pastoral counseling, or spiritual friendship. • Spiritual Friendship and Spiritual Direction are Different • Spiritual direction is more formal • The spiritual director is trained and supervised • Training is an ethical issue: You may have a natural bent for something but need training. • You need to be qualified to be a spiritual director, like any professional service

11. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? • Assumptions of Spiritual Direction • There is in the directeea graced desire for the more; • The directee wants to grow in a relationship with God and the director has a desire to facilitate this; • The starting point of the direction conversation is the human experience of the directee; • In the direction conversation, the director is listening for the experience of God (The Holy Mystery) wherever it is being experienced by the directee; • A spiritual director maintains the health and freedom needed to engage in the ministry through practices that include commitment to one’s own spiritual direction and to the process of supervision • Mary Ann Scofield—Mercy Center, Burlingame

12. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is Spiritual Direction? • Reasons why people may seek Spiritual Direction • Prayer • Discernment • Grief • Dryness & Doubt • Passion and Fervor • Questions • The Desire for More • Healing • Transition—family, marriage, health • Relationship with God

13. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the value of Spiritual Direction? What is the value of spiritual direction? Spiritual direction opens us up to the God experience within our human experience, so that God can become a fuller part of our lives In spiritual direction, we become more attentive and tuned in to the presence and action of God in our lives, which can deepen our faith and our relationship to God Every human experience can be (and is potentially) an experience of God.

14. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the value of Spiritual Direction? How do we see and experience God in our lives — In Nature

15. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the Value of Spiritual Direction? How do we see and experience God in our lives — At Work

16. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the value of Spiritual Direction? How do we see and experience God in our lives — In Relationships

17. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the Value of Spiritual Direction? • Spiritual direction awakens: • A sense that God is in one’s individual experiences • A sense of how God is working in one’s life

18. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the Value of Spiritual Direction? It Felt Love How Did the rose Ever open its heart And give to this world All its Beauty? It felt the encouragement of light Against its Being Otherwise, We all remain Too Frightened. From: The Gift: Poems by Hafiz

19. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the Value of Spiritual Direction? • What is the value of offering spiritual direction in your parish? What is the value of having spiritual directors as part of your parish? • Spiritual direction provides another structure in the parish for individuals to explore and expand their spiritual lives; • Spiritual direction affirms a commitment by a community to support the spiritual life of the individuals in their parish—the message “Your Spiritual Lives are an important part of this community” • Spiritual directors can support the faith journey of the community— • pre-RCIA, for example. • Reflect on what would be the value for your community.

20. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: What is the Value of Spiritual Direction? What is the value of offering spiritual direction in your parish? What is the value of having spiritual directors as part of your parish? The spiritual directee does not hold his interior life separate from the community The fact that this relationship is happening in the community affects the community The primary basis for the trust placed in a spiritual director is the director’s membership in the faith community. The Practice of Spiritual Direction, William A. Barry & William J. Connolly

21. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Who Can Be a Spiritual Director? • Who Can Be a Spiritual Director? • Spiritual direction is a calling that needs to be discerned and developed • The following quotes are from an article by Cindy Wooden, in Catholic News Service (May 18, 2015), on what Pope Francis had to say on spiritual direction: • Spiritual direction the pope said, "is not a charism exclusive to priests. It's a charism of the laity.” • Pope Francis encouraged religious superiors—of both men and women—to identify members of their congregation who are good and wise and patient, and get them training in spiritual direction.

22. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Who Can Be a Spiritual Director? • "A spiritual director is one thing and a confessor is another. I go to a confessor, say what my sins are, feel condemned, then he forgives everything and I go forward. • "But with a spiritual director, I have to talk about what is in my heart. The examination of conscience isn't the same for confession and for spiritual direction," he said. • "For confession, I have to look at where I was lacking, where I lost patience, if I was greedy -- that kind of thing, those concrete things that are sinful. • "But in spiritual direction, I must examine what is happening in my heart, where the Spirit is moving, if I felt desolation or consolation, if I am tired, why I am sad: These are things to talk about with the man or woman who is my spiritual director," he said. • “

23. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Who can be a Spiritual Director? • On Becoming a Spiritual Director? • God is the one who initiates the call • Notice if people are seeking you out to share their lives, their thoughts • Gifts of listening, attentiveness, loving God, talking about God • Be in spiritual direction • Discern the call • Research a Formation and Training program (whether in-person or online, distant learning, residency programs)

24. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Who can be a Spiritual Director? • “ In any discussion of gifts we must begin with the affirmation that God’s first gift to us is our unique and irreplaceable self, and it is that self that God chooses to use in spiritual guidance. It is the “terrific thing,” my deepest self, enlivened by the Holy Spirit. It is a miracle of grace that all that we are (warts and all) is capable of being transformed into gift. With the sense of our giftedness comes also the sense of our limitations.” • --Alan Jones, Exploring Spiritual Direction

25. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Who Can Be a Spiritual Director? • Sample of topics covered in a formation program: • Identifying religious experience • Discernment in spiritual direction • Adult development in spiritual direction • Impact of culture • Directing prayer • Dimension of healing in spiritual direction • Ethical guidelines • You can find a list of formation programs on the Spiritual Directors International website: www.sdiworld.org.

26. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: How Can You Offer Spiritual Director? • How to Organize and Offer Spiritual Direction in your Parish: • Offer a talk on spiritual direction • Invite trained and experienced spiritual directors to give a panel discussion on spiritual direction • Create a list of available trained spiritual directors • In your community, nearby community, or by phone or Skype • Spiritual Directors International offers a Seek and Find resource on their website (www.sdiworld.org)

27. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: How Can You Offer Spiritual Director? • How to Organize and Offer Spiritual Direction in your Parish: • Put a notice in the weekly bulletin • For anyone interested in exploring spiritual direction • Identify a point person • Invite a spiritual director to be part of your faith formation committee

28. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Personal Reflections • Personal Reflections • My experience as a directee—Surrender • Healing • Allowed me to trust my life; Trust how God was working in my life • Hear Myself; Hear God • Becoming a spiritual director—Surrender • Discerning the Call • Commitment to Formation • Supervision, Ongoing Growth

29. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction: Resources & References References: Spiritual Director’s International www.sdiworld.org Sacred is the Call, ---edited by Suzanne Buckley, Mercy Center Burlingame

30. Colette Lafia’s Ministry Website: www.colettelafia.com Daily Blog | Workshops | Books Facebook” https://www.facebook.com/ColetteLafia Join the mailing list: colette.lafia@gmail.com Thank you! Colette!