Our diocese is very keen to promote spiritual direction. In my previous contexts we used to talk a lot about one to one discipleship (the reality was often quite mixed)
I was wondering what thoughts and experiences shippies might have?
I have just started spiritual direction , & I have found it very useful . It has been about focusing on being the beloved of God& which practices bring me nearer to God & which push me away. Also it has made me examine beliefs I have internalised unconsciously from previous churches I have attended
Our diocese is very keen to promote spiritual direction. In my previous contexts we used to talk a lot about one to one discipleship (the reality was often quite mixed)
I was wondering what thoughts and experiences shippies might have?
I have been seeing a spiritual director for decades and I am also a practising spiritual director. I'm an Anglican and am part of the network of spiritual directors in our Catholic diocese (they are very ecumenical) as my Anglican diocese disbanded our own register several years ago.
I would never want to stop receiving direction as it has proved to be so fruitful and life giving.
As regards the practice itself, I'd say that the word direction is possibly misleading (it's historical) as traditional direction means accompanying someone as they explore their relationship with God, not training/ coaching / advising or even teaching.
These things all have their place and can be delivered one on one or in teaching groups.
But they are not direction and I know of a few situations where the these practices have become imo unhelpfully fused with spiritual direction.
I'm happy to try to answer (from my own experience) any other questions that might arise on this thread.
Sadly I keep outliving my spiritual directors, but I found them most helpful in the past. I miss having someone to share my spiritual journey with. There unfortunately seems not to be time or place to do so in day to day life. I think knowing you were going to have a time and place to review your spiritual journey makes you more aware of how God is present in your life.
Try it and see. If they stop the arrangement after a few sessions then you'll have found out if you were right.
If not ...
I saw an Anglican 'spiritual director' for a while and found it helpful.
I know a few people who are trained in the practice and their views and approach are very much as @MrsBeaky describes.
It is something which is available and practiced within Orthodoxy but I've not noticed it particularly being promoted. I imagine it's more of a thing in Orthodox-majority countries.
It seemed to be de rigeur among some Baptist ministers I knew to seek spiritual direction from monks and nuns about 20 years ago now. An Ignatian retreat director told me that they were getting almost as many evangelicals as Catholics around that time.
Since then, the practice seems to have been adopted pretty widely. Which is good.
It has to be something that isn't too directive as Mrs Beaky says.
Comments
I have been seeing a spiritual director for decades and I am also a practising spiritual director. I'm an Anglican and am part of the network of spiritual directors in our Catholic diocese (they are very ecumenical) as my Anglican diocese disbanded our own register several years ago.
I would never want to stop receiving direction as it has proved to be so fruitful and life giving.
As regards the practice itself, I'd say that the word direction is possibly misleading (it's historical) as traditional direction means accompanying someone as they explore their relationship with God, not training/ coaching / advising or even teaching.
These things all have their place and can be delivered one on one or in teaching groups.
But they are not direction and I know of a few situations where the these practices have become imo unhelpfully fused with spiritual direction.
I'm happy to try to answer (from my own experience) any other questions that might arise on this thread.
Your diocese will have a person in charge of spiritual direction, and they can direct you towards someone.
If not ...
I saw an Anglican 'spiritual director' for a while and found it helpful.
I know a few people who are trained in the practice and their views and approach are very much as @MrsBeaky describes.
It is something which is available and practiced within Orthodoxy but I've not noticed it particularly being promoted. I imagine it's more of a thing in Orthodox-majority countries.
It seemed to be de rigeur among some Baptist ministers I knew to seek spiritual direction from monks and nuns about 20 years ago now. An Ignatian retreat director told me that they were getting almost as many evangelicals as Catholics around that time.
Since then, the practice seems to have been adopted pretty widely. Which is good.
It has to be something that isn't too directive as Mrs Beaky says.
Sadly, still without that here in the Chichester diocese!
You could try finding one via
https://www.lcsd.org.uk/