Spiritual Direction
to “listen” another’s soul into life, into a condition of disclosure and discovery, may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another.
Quaker Douglas Steere
Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director—the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul.
Trappist monk, Thomas Merton
These two quotations suggest profound mysteries: how can we put our fingers on “the soul” or track the workings of the Spirit? Yet there is something simple about this, too. It is the gift of being listened to, being heard, being held in the heart and confidence of someone committed to you and your well-being, confident that God, the Divine, the Holy One, is willing to be manifest in daily life if we attend in quiet expectation to this sacred Presence. I like to say that God does God’s best work not in you or in me but in the space between us.
I also like to explain that how I see my role as a spiritual director comes from my belief that life can be understood as both sacred story and sacred journey. As sacred story, our lives benefit from being told and heard so that the meaning may emerge more clearly and be more fully engaged. As sacred journey, there is no interior landscape where the Spirit is not willing to meet us and move with us, whether through the deepest valleys of doubt, the most ordinary paths of daily routine, the breath-taking vistas of mountain heights, or the deserts of drought and discouragement.
So, when people wonder about spiritual direction or feel the urge to begin a conversation in a spiritual direction relationship, I say, “Come as you are, broken or whole, bored or engaged, curious or longing, and be open to the mystery of the Spirit’s transforming presence.” All that is required is a willingness to take the first step. All that you need is the material of your daily life, for that is where the Holy meets us.
In my years of practicing as a spiritual director, I have accompanied people from a vast variety of Christian denominations, including Protestants of many different backgrounds, as well as Catholics, and some with no particular affiliation at all who are simply wanting to explore their spiritual yearnings or their relationship with Spirit, the Divine, God, or whatever language is comfortable for them to name the Transcendent. While my roots are Lutheran, my involvements have been very ecumenical, and I count it a privilege to accompany those with diverse roots, yearnings, and affiliations.
What you will encounter in me is a gentle listener, a quiet, affirming presence, someone who is passionate about attending to and drawing out the stories of others, doing so with respect and the assurance of confidentiality
In practical terms, an ongoing spiritual direction relationship usually involves monthly one-hour sessions to be set at a mutually agreeable time. The cost is income sensitive. I have a sliding fee schedule by which I try to accommodate people of different means. Contact me for more information. I am willing to offer a free hour-long conversation as an opportunity for us to get to know one another a little better before any decision is made about further meetings. If you decide to enter into a spiritual direction relationship with me, the ongoing sessions can take place in person (in Edmonton where I am rostered at Providence Renewal Centre), but I am also very experienced in meeting people online via Zoom or Skype, with payment by e-transfer or an agreed-upon alternative.
I am a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI) and abide by their Guidelines for Ethical Conduct.
I am committed to ongoing professional development, see my own spiritual director regularly, and engage in ongoing supervision of my spiritual direction activity. Recognizing the importance of supervision for professional and ethical practice as a spiritual director, I am also trained and experienced as a spiritual direction supervisor and am available to serve in this capacity for others.
WHERE you are (however unchosen) is the place of blessing HOW you are (however broken) is the place of grace WHO you are, in your Becoming is your place in the Kingdom. (Margaret Silf, Landscapes)