Have you ever had thoughts like: Why are we here? What does it all mean?
What happens when I die? Who am I in this big, fast pace, ever changing world? I need some direction- spiritually speaking. Having someone in your life to help guide you through these thoughts can help you in a lot of ways especially if you find yourself in a bit of a "stuck" place mentally, emotionally, and of course, spiritually.
What is spiritual direction?
"It is gaining tools on being present in the moment, seeing and honoring the sacred mystery of the soul of another. It is witnessing this mystery and reflecting it back in word, prayer, thought, presence, and action. Spiritual guidance is modeling a deep relationship with the Divine and standing in faith and love with the other as that relationship unfolds. Spiritual guidance is a journey of deep healing and an affirmation of Holiness (wholeness), the Sacred, and the Mystery of all of life."
-Carol A. Fournier, MS, NCC, Interfaith Spiritual Director/Guide, Silver Dove Institute, Williston, Vermont, USA
A good spiritual director embodies these characteristics.
Inclusive | Genuine | Listening | Accepting | Contemplative | Wise
Let's look at 5 reasons this deep relationship can up the enjoyment factor of your daily life.
Because we, as humans, do better when we're in relationship, It's important to recognize that the deeper the relationship the more benefit to the individuals involved. Maybe one of these reasons helps give you hope in taking steps towards a more meaningful journey through life.
Spiritual direction focuses on religious experience. It is concerned with a person’s actual experience of a relationship with God.
Spiritual direction is about a relationship. The religious experience is not isolated, nor does it consist of extraordinary events. It is what happens in an ongoing relationship between the person and God. Most often this is a relationship that is experienced in prayer.
Spiritual direction is a relationship that is going somewhere. God is leading the person to deeper faith and more generous service. The spiritual director asks not just “what is happening?” but “what is moving forward?”
The real spiritual director is God. God touches the human heart directly. The human spiritual director does not “direct” in the sense of giving advice and solving problems. Rather, the director helps a person respond to God’s invitation to a deeper relationship.
Now that you've learned why spiritual direction is such a beneficial tool in developing the spiritual depth you've been longing for, why not try it out. There's no where to go but up.
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Keep healing, Keep growing.