Spiritual direction

Spiritual direction at Pa Maria is offered in person and online.

Spiritual direction is a reflective conversation with a spiritual director about one’s relationship with God. It is a privileged conversation about one’s inner life. What is shared is treated with respect, sensitivity and confidentiality.

Who is it for?

People come to spiritual direction when they want to:

• renew and strengthen their relationship with God
• support the work and outreach they do with a strong spiritual foundation

• make sense of change, loss or transition

• deepen prayer or contemplative practice

• explore the meaning and purpose of their lives

• sit with restlessness, doubt or longing

• discern next steps in life, relationships or vocation

You do not need to be certain or sorted. Curiosity and honesty are enough.

What happens in a session?

Across 60 minutes, we will:

• slow down and arrive

• listen closely to your story and experience

• notice patterns, desires, resistances and invitations

• ask gentle questions rather than give advice

• include silence or prayer if you wish

You can always say if something does not feel helpful.

Practicalities

• Format: in person (at Pa Maria, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand) or online by secure, encrypted video

• Length: 60 minutes

• Frequency: typically monthly.

• Fees

• Accessibility: online sessions support people with disability. Please share any access needs.

Spiritual direction or supervision?

• Spiritual direction focuses on your relationship with God, your prayer life but also meaning, and discernment in your life as a whole.

• Supervision supports ethical, reflective practice for practitioners (counsellors, spiritual directors, clergy, chaplains).

Preparing for your first session

• Arrive a few minutes early, or test audio and video for online sessions.

• Bring a brief sense of what you would like to explore and why you are seeking spiritual direction at this time in your life. Your director will help you.

• You can pause, decline a question or ask for silence at any time.

FAQs

Do I have to be religious?
It helps. However, we are all different and people express their faith and understanding in different ways.  We meet you where you are.

Will you tell me what to do?
No. We listen to you, ask questions and help you notice what rings true.

Can I try one session first?
Yes. You are welcome to book a single session and decide from there. It is very important that you feel comfortable with your director and that your director has a sense that Spiritual Direction is the best way forward for you.

Arrange an appointment

Sessions are available in person (Nedlands) or online by secure, encrypted video.