The spiritual journey is an endeavor that takes a life-time and is fraught with pitfalls. It is something like walking into territory, which for us, is uncharted. As we grow and walk farther and farther with God, we find ourselves entering into landscapes that are unfamiliar to us (sometimes quite frightening, as well). If not wise to the nature of the journey, the temptation to quit or to turn back can be overwhelming.

Spiritual direction refers to the gift of a friend or guide to walk with us into this territory that is new to us. Most often, we need a companion who has seen a bit more of the terrain of the soul than we have, who has traveled over a bit more of the territory. So we might invite such a one to help us to see as well, so that we will not be so surprised and tempted to turn back by the various bumps, turns, and obstacles that arise as we walk the path.

Spiritual direction is not counseling, nor is it therapy. It is not available to replace support groups. Each of those other relationships have their place. Spiritual direction deals with how a person is experiencing God in their prayer and in their daily living. In seeking spiritual direction, we are asking another to help us be more alert and attentive to God in every area of our lives.

Further, each of us has a unique, God-given purpose in life. Often our lives are lived at odds with that original purpose. A spiritual director can come alongside us, helping us see and be attentive to the way God is continually forming us. Through this personal encounter, we are able to discern more clearly God’s design for our lives and to grow in discipleship and in the life of grace. Thus, good synonyms for spiritual direction include: spiritual guidance, spiritual friendship, and spiritual companionship.

Very often spiritual direction takes place in one-on-one settings. A person finds another individual (through prayer and discernment) who might be able to give friendship and guidance to the spiritual journey. In such an encounter, the pair may meet monthly for an hour or so, with the directee bringing his/her agenda from their recent experiences of prayer and God.

Spiritual direction also takes place in a group context, where a group of people gather for the explicit purpose of helping each other be attentive to the presence of God in each of their lives. Such settings offer opportunities for us to gain from group wisdom, from the discernment of a body of peers who look into our lives from outside our skin.

Whether one is attracted to individual or group spiritual direction, at the heart of spiritual guidance is the desire to grow in God, to deepen the life of prayer, to pay more and more attention to God, and to allow the grace of God to permeate all of life.

The Center for Christian Spirituality offers both individual and group spiritual direction.

For information on spiritual direction through The Center for Christian Spirituality, please contact us.