What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction involves ongoing monthly sessions designed to explore how God is moving in your life. In Spiritual Direction, a person sits with a trusted Spiritual Director for one hour each month or so, their discussions creating openness to the stirrings and presence of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether our monthly session is in-person or by Zoom, we begin with some quiet time. I will offer to lead a brief guided meditation, or just give some space for silence so we can both escape the busyness of daily life. When you are ready, you are invited to speak on any part of your life story that you would like. It doesn’t have to be specifically faith-oriented unless you want it to be. Every moment of life has a spiritual component, and every part of your life story is welcome in session.
I will listen in order to hear, and give plenty of time and space for you to hear yourself. You might notice that I leave time for silence between our turns to speak. I also invite you to create as many quiet moments as you want.
I may offer noticings, reflective questions, or seek clarification. I might offer a suggestion from time to time, but rarely, if ever, will I teach or instruct — it is my belief that any answers you seek will be found in the quiet of your own soul rather than in my voice or opinions. Ultimately, Spiritual Direction is a space where we both become open to hearing the Spirit of God in and for your life.
When our hour is nearly complete, I will offer to conclude with a poem, a blessing, or some quiet time.
The most important thing to bring is an open and invested heart. This is for you, and I want you to have the best experience possible. Along with this, I encourage you to bring an open inner ear, for those moments when the Divine Spirit speaks within you.
On the practical side, many people find keeping a dedicated Spiritual Direction journal to be profitable, and you are welcome to jot notes during a session. I also encourage you to write reflectively afterwards, while the session is still fresh in your mind.
There is nothing wrong with sitting quietly in the presence of the Divine for a while. That may be just the nourishment you need in your life at that moment. Often, after a bit of quiet, just the right part of your life story will arise in your heart.
If some time goes by and you want a little help, I will be happy to offer one or two open-ended questions to get you started.
In our culture, we tend to fill every moment with noise, so much so that we’ve lost the ability to embrace and enjoy quiet. For most people, once they get past the initial awkwardness, they find the silence to be one of their favorite parts of Spiritual Direction. It is in quiet that many people hear the stirrings of the Divine inside themselves for the first time.
Please be assured that Spiritual Direction is a loving, judgment-free zone. These sessions are for you to find wholeness and know you are loved as you are. I will do my best to help you know and feel that you are in a safe space, and I will do everything I can to create a comfortable atmosphere for you to share any part of your story.
It may take time to build up the courage to share something heavy — that’s ok. You will know when it’s the right moment. In the meantime, you are building strength and trust within yourself.
If you find that you are frequently self-censoring, I can help you consider further options and possibilities. Finding healing and spiritual growth for yourself is the most important part of this process.
Everyone has a spiritual dimension to themselves. Many people who are searching (or fleeing!) still have spiritual wants and longings and curiosities. Spiritual Direction can be a life-giving process for you on your spiritual journey, even when you feel completely ungrounded in your faith. If you want to explore your spiritual side, Spiritual Direction is for you.
Never. I will keep all our sessions confidential, except under very specific and rare circumstances required by law. In addition, I will not even tell anyone that you are seeing me for Spiritual Direction — that information is yours to share, not mine. You own the content of your sessions, and are free to discuss whatever you wish with whomever you wish; I will not.
Fr Christopher provides Spiritual Direction to anyone who wants it, member or not.
This service is free to parishioners of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, as part of your regular pledges and offerings. If you are not a member of Holy Trinity, please visit soulquiet.life for pricing and to receive an agreement form.