As a Spiritual director you will be engaged in ongoing conversations with persons seeking self knowledge and an understanding of what the spirit invites them to do with their life. This is accomplished through regular private meetings in which you invite the seeker to relate and embrace his or her life experiences, both conscious and unconscious; to recognize the movement of God in these events; and to respond in a way that leads to greater compassion, freedom and mission. The ultimate goal for the individual seeker is to gain a conscious awareness of and participation in the ongoing dialogue with God that gives meaning to life.

The sacred relationship between director and seeker/directee will require art as well as skill on your part as the director. Skills can be taught and learned; art is a gift. This gift is borne of self-awareness, self-knowledge and self-expression; and requires a capacity for reflection.

Staying with the reality of life reveals the place where God* is present. The way we move toward God*, which is the essence of the spiritual direction relationship, is through fidelity to the NOW – on the part of both director and directee.

You will meet with your directee, allowing yourselves to be in the present moment, just as you are. Sitting with another in this way is at the heart of spiritual direction.

In this openness to the spirit, both you and your directee will enter into a contemplative atmosphere. You will come to know God* who calls you into the “more” of your lives. You will trust in the faithfulness of the God* who dwells in your depths.

A spiritual director is someone who has “been on the path we are walking and knows something about it.”
Brian C. Taylor


What do directors do?
As a spiritual director, you will assist directees by:

• Listening reflectively to that which is deeper than words.
• Helping them “notice” how God* is present in their lives.
• Enabling them to hear and trust their own inner wisdom, the place where God* is within them, and to respond to that presence.

The goal of spiritual direction is the integration of your directees’ spiritual development in all aspects of their lives.


What is happening in you?
Here are some questions for you to reflect on as you consider a call to the ministry of spiritual direction.

• Are you passionate about your own journey with God*?
• Do you allocate time regularly for exploring/deepening this journey?
• Do you desire to live out of a more contemplative attitude towards yourself and our Earth Community?
• Do people seek you out to talk with, about important or difficult aspects of their lives?
• Do you feel energized/more deeply connected with others and God* through these conversations?
• Are you currently receiving spiritual direction?

Spend some time reflecting on these questions, notice what happens within you as you sit with them. Allow your inner wisdom to inform your response.


A Spiritual Direction Metaphor
A helpful image for you to reflect on as you discern a ministry in spiritual direction is rock climbing. Consider these similarities:

• There is vulnerability and need for trust.
• The journey is exciting, difficult, challenging and extending.
• One cannot make the journey for another.
• The guide can take the lead when necessary.
• The guide and climber move together through the ascent and descent, sometimes enjoying the view, other times negotiating tough obstacles.
• The path is not pre-planned, whatever comes is accepted.
• The guide is always aware of and present to the climber.
• The now-situation is the one being lived through.
• The guide holds the life of the climber as precious.
• The guide is aware of the reality of the situation and always moves carefully, with an ability to assess the climber’s ability to continue.
• The guide has been there before and can draw on past experience.
• The guide honors the call and mystery of the mountain.
• Trust in God* to lead and care fills the hearts of the both.

Next Steps:
Here are a few further steps you can take as you seek to discover what is stirring within you:

• Talk it over with your spiritual director or a trusted friend.
• If you are not receiving spiritual direction, seek it out.
• Spend some time on retreat with your questions around this issue.
• Attend some workshops that relate to spiritual direction.
• Consider attending a training program in spiritual direction. Usually part of the training is a continued discernment of a call to the ministry of spiritual direction.
• You may call or e-mail ISL for further information. ISL offers several schedule options for spiritual direction training.
• Join a network or association like Spiritual Directors International: www.sdiworld .org