What is Spiritual Direction?

^{Rosemary Carey}

Hear Rosemary on a Virtual Theology Chat Thursday 24 April 2025 7pm on Zoom All Welcome. https://anglicanchurch-nz.zoom.us/j/94599431152

^{My understanding and experience of Spiritual Direction is two people enjoying the privilege of being engaged in close conversation, bonded in the love and unity of the Trinity, which invites them to grow into a deeper and richer understanding of the abundance of God’s love.}

^{I’ve just completed the first year of a Spiritual Direction Formation Course run by Spiritual Growth Ministries which has enriched my ministry as a retired Priest, Chaplain, teacher and professed 3rd Order Franciscan. I face my second year of study and workshops ahead with excitement and enthusiasm.}  

^{Spiritual Direction is not a new practice. In the early history of the Church, many individuals had interactions with God speaking.  Today many people are seeking to form a deeper and personal relationship with God.  Spiritual Direction practice focuses on the director listening attentively with the ‘ear of the heart’. The director is a competent guide, and person of prayer, who helps another pay attention to, and respond to movements of God in their lives. It is inclusive of all people regardless of culture, age, or religion.Spiritual Direction is safe, always respectful, non-judgmental, and confidential.}                                                                                                                                                                                             

^{The two most important qualities and attitudes in Spiritual Direction are mutual trust and respect with the director and directee. Relationships formed are described as a soul friend, a spiritual friend, a prayer companion, a co- discerner, or an along-sider. The content of their conversations is sacramental in nature and confidential. The setting where they meet is relaxed and informal, ideally face to face.  The difference between the two conversing is their respective roles; the director listens, accepts and facilitates, and the directee trusts, and feels comfortable to be able to share.}

^{Spiritual Direction reflects the following characteristics.  It is institutional with a clear formation with minimal freedoms, where God brings his invitations to the light. The characteristics of Spiritual Direction are life giving and good for the soul.   There is a formal process that is adhered to, which is a contractual arrangement including – a fee or koha, and an agreed upon- set length of a session,with- a review opportunity at regular intervals. There is an understanding that the real director is the Holy Spirit. The principal issue in conversations between the directee and the director, is the directees experience.   For the Director, the ability to discern while listening to the directee is vital, as a religious experience is of huge value for the directee to explore. Regular meetings around conversation including prayer and silence, are centred on the directee. The object, purpose and procedure of spiritual direction is focused on the spiritual growth of the directee.}

^{Dr Gary Moon: If there is a single factor that makes spiritual direction effective as a change agent for the soul, it is this: spiritual direction helps us to see ourselves as God sees us.”}

^{Fr Richard Rohr: “Where you are is where I’ll meet you.”}

^{For further information contact: www.sgm.org.nz}