We are Seekers: Spiritual Direction

We are seekers, and spiritual direction is a perfect way to explore the journey. Our lives are sacred, and most importantly our stories are sacred. In many ways, our lives are sacred scripture, and it is in our lives that God is present and at work. In spiritual direction, we slow down, and listen to our lives, where God is truly present and active.

Sometimes we seek spiritual direction because: 

• we want to feel closer to God
• we are in the midst of a decision
• we are grieving
• we want to experience our lives as more sacred and holy
• we want a deeper relationship with God
• we are in a time of doubt and need a trusted companion to talk to
• we have questions and want to explore them

We are seekers, and Spiritual direction offers spiritual companionship to share the journey.

A quote from Reaching Out, by Henri Nouwen

How do we know that we are not deluding ourselves, that we are not selecting those words that best fit our passions, that we are not just listening to the voice of our own imagination?…Who can determine if [our] feelings and insights are leading [us] in the right direction?

Our God is greater than our own heart and mind, and too easily we are tempted to make our heart’s desires and our mind’s speculations into the will of God. Therefore, we need a guide, a director, a counselor who helps us to distinguish between the voice of God and all other voices coming from our own confusion or from dark powers far beyond our control.

We need someone who encourages us when we are tempted to give it all up, to forget it all, to just walk away in despair. We need someone who discourages us when we move too rashly in unclear directions or hurry proudly to a nebulous goal. We need someone who can suggest to us when to read and when to be silent, which words to reflect upon and what to do when silence creates much fear and little peace.

Pause and reflection on what is stirring in you after reading this.

Now, reflect on this statement on Spiritual Direction from Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv, Executive Director, Spiritual Directors International

“Spiritual direction explores a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Simply put, spiritual direction is helping people tell their sacred stories everyday.

Spiritual direction has emerged in many contexts using language specific to particular cultural and spiritual traditions. Describing spiritual direction requires putting words to a process of fostering a transcendent experience that lies beyond all names and yet the experience longs to be articulated and made concrete in everyday living. It is easier to describe what spiritual direction does than what spiritual direction is. Our role is not to define spiritual direction, but to describe the experience.

Spiritual direction helps us learn how to live in peace, with compassion, promoting justice, as humble servants of that which lies beyond all names.”

What is stirring in you after reading this? Pause and reflect. 

If you would like to engage in spiritual direction, please contact me through email: colette.lafia@gmail.com, and we can set up a time to Skype or talk on the phone.

Or please enter to win a few session with me through the following contest.