Spiritual Direction
I'd never heard of having a 'Spiritual Director' before we came toRidley. Every ordinand and their spouse has the option of having one of these. I thought I'd give it a go.
I'm not sure I really understand what it meant to happen though. You meet with someone who 'directs' you spiritually? How?
I suppose it works quite differently for different people but I'm not quite sure how to make it work for me. I had my first session today and it was alright but felt quite strange. I'm not very good at just talking about me. I certainly feel it would be good to have some direction from an older, wiser Christian but I'm not quite sure how to make these sessions work.
Has anyone else had a Spiritual director, or been one? What is your understanding of what it's all about?
posted by Mel @ 7:36 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
Hiya
I've been thinking about that recently.
Just read a fantastic book, 'Reaching Out', by Henri Nouwen. One of the (many) books by Christian people that has made me cry! It's about the spiritual life. A main section is on our relationship with God, and how we need to move away from a relationship with him that's based on illusions, or pretending, to one that's based on real relationship, or prayer. One of the key ingredients to this movement was said to be a spiritual guide - someone who doesn't try to advise, show or teach you things, but to help you discover your own unique, individual, true way of relating to God in prayer. I have sometimes wondered about doing this kind of thing but always subconsciously thought that nobody I know is capable of fulfilling that role in my life. The book said many of us tend to be that way and that, in doing so, deny other Christians their potential gifts as spiritual guides. I'd be interested to hear how you get on. And it's nice to find out friends are thinking about similar things to me!
This whole thing was very new to me when I decided to give it a go last year - I was really apprehensive and unsure about it. But now I'm really glad I went for it - I've found it easier than I ever thought I would to talk about myself honestly to someone who was a complete stranger, and it has been really good having someone who is completely removed from all parts of my life to chat to about stuff knowing that it won't go any further. I never would have thought I'd be saying this a year ago - so I really recommend giving it a go. Having said that, I was well matched with a director who is just right for me - this kind of thing is really affected by that, its important for it to be someone you're comfortable and able to relax with!
Hi Mel,
I'm afraid I don't have anything interesting to add to this blog but I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to give this blog thing a go! I'm guessing this message will come up with my blog address?
Anyways, have a lovely Christmas.
Lucy
Good to make sure you are in control. Tell the other person what you want them to do and what you don't. Don't let them ask you questions you don't want to answer until you are ready to be challenged. Treat them as a prober, a prodder or just a listener. Meet them as often as you want to not as often as they want to. State firmly at the beginning that you may sack them without it being anything personal.
I have two. One is more of a mentor who helps me make work decisions; one is a soul friend who journeys with me in the more personal stuff and to some extent I am the same to him.
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