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.
Spiritual direction is for everyone, not just for professional religious people, because we all have spiritual lives and it can be very helpful to share with a fellow traveller those things close to our hearts.
People will often come to spiritual direction when they want to deepen, renew and strengthen their relationship with God and support the work and outreach they may be involved with. It can provide an important spiritual foundation to sustain them.
It can help to make sense of change, loss or transition and encourage the desire to deepen one’s prayer life and wanting to explore the meaning and purpose of their life.
If one is sitting with restlessness, doubt or longing, spiritual direction can support personal discernment regarding the next steps to take. This may concern relationships and vocational issues. A person does not need to be certain or sorted. Curiosity and honesty are enough.
A typical spiritual direction session lasts around 60 minutes. One is encouraged to simply slow down and take a little time to arrive. The director will listen closely to what the person seeking spiritual direction brings and wants to share. This may be a a time spent with scripture or other inspirational text and even an experience that moved or touched them. The director will notice patterns, desires, resistances and invitations and share something of what resonates with them and may ask gentle questions rather than give advice. This is the work of the Spirit and spiritual directors are called to be sensitive to the ways the Spirit is working in another persons life. It is not about the spiritual directors agenda. Sometimes sessions may include periods of silence and contemplation.
Spiritual Direction is normally offered once a month but during retreat times, it may be offered daily and in the case of the ‘Retreat in Daily Life, offered weekly.
At Pā Maria Spiritual Direction is offered in person and online.