Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction has also been referred to as mentoring, accompaniment, soul friendship, discipleship or spiritual guidance and it contains elements of each of these. Essentially it is a structured way of reviewing life in order to perceive where God may be at work and where the perspective of an ‘outside’ pair of loving eyes may bring insight or challenge.
I have been offering Spiritual Direction since training with the Diocese of Oxford in 2006, I continue to consider it an amazing privilege to walk with others as they seek to find and/or identify God in the every day moments of life while also asking questions about his perceived absence.
The first meeting is an opportunity to explore common ideas and to become comfortable with working together. It is important to me that anyone with whom I work considers the time available for them to use as they find most helpful. If the first meeting is successful we would then schedule subsequent meetings. I am based in Banbury, Oxfordshire but I am flexible about where and when a session takes place; we can meet in person (after lockdown) or via Zoom. Sessions are usually every six weeks or so and generally last about an hour. I charge a small, negotiable fee for each session.
“Spiritual Direction…..it is an ancient form of Christian soul care……In its classical form, spiritual direction is a one-to-one relationship organized around prayer and conversation directed toward deepening intimacy with God. Spiritual directors are not experts, nor do they direct. They do not follow a standardized curriculum or implement a prepackaged program. Rather, they journey with others who, like themselves, are committed to the process of spiritual transformation in Christ. …they seek to help those with whom they journey discern the presence and leading of the Spirit of God…..they help us become more aware of the presence of the sacred.”
David Benner – “Sacred Companions”
“In some ways, the art of spiritual direction lies in our uncovering the obvious in our lives and in realising that every day events are the means by which God tries to reach us.”
Margaret Guenther – “Holy Listening”