Have you ever felt like you are on a spiritual journey, unsure of which way to turn or how to deepen your connection with God?
You know where you want to go – closer to God, living a life of purpose and faith – but the path isn’t always clear. Perhaps life’s questions whisper in your ear:
“Am I living according to my values?”
“How can I deepen my connection with God?”
“What does it mean to be a good person in today’s world?”
Offering a warm and welcoming space to explore these questions that is where spiritual direction can be an illuminating guide to finding your answers, discerning which turn to take on your path of deepening your relationship with the divine.
Spiritual direction is not a lofty concept reserved for mystics or theologians. It’s a profound person-centered spiritual exploration, a sacred practice rooted in the Christian tradition, where you embark on a journey of self-discovery alongside a trusted companion: a spiritual director.
There is a synergy that occurs in a spiritual direction session. The director accompanies the directee with a shared focus on where God is guiding, inviting, directing and nurturing the developing faith of the directee.
You may be wondering – why would I need a spiritual director? Can’t I just read the Bible, attend my home group and talk to my vicar when I have questions?
While those are all vital practices, spiritual direction offers something more. A spiritual director is someone who will listen deeply to you without judgement, but with compassion and a specific focus around your spiritual formation. They can ask powerful questions that shed light on what God might be doing in your life, helping you navigate the obstacles and embrace the callings you face.
The directee’s role in spiritual direction is to show up openly and honestly, sharing their interior spiritual journey – the consolations and desolations, the questions and struggles, their experiences of prayer. The director’s role is to pay close, careful, prayerful attention and to help the directee notice the movements of grace and the presence of Spirit.
For example, you may share about a recurring temptation you face and the director may gently ask what methods of prayer lead you closest to God’s peace. You may express feelings of spiritual dryness – feeling distant from God – and the director may point out subtle areas of new growth or a hunger for God that your dryness coincides with. The director’s sole purpose is to companion you as the Spirit shapes your life.
Some of the most humble and powerful moments of my life have happened in spiritual direction.
In the safety of that nonjudgmental space, I’ve had my vulnerabilities exposed, lamenting my failures and sufferings, only to be met with tender compassion. I’ve grappled with weighty issues and through prayerful listening found the courage to discern which turns to take on my spiritual path.
Maybe you’re curious about your faith but aren’t sure how to find answers, or you feel you’re going through a spiritual transition and want guidance, or you desire a supportive space to explore your values and purpose. Maybe you simply long for a deeper and more meaningful connection with God. Spiritual direction might be a valuable tool for your spiritual development. Spiritual direction visits are usually once a month and are an hour long – though often the benefits unfold after faithful, regular visits over time.
If any of these thoughts resonate with you, reach out. If you would like further details on finding a spiritual director in the Nelson diocese, speak to your parish vicar or go to our directory for a list of spiritual directors. For a broader list of spiritual directors throughout New Zealand go to the Association for Christian Spiritual Directors in New Zealand.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Have you ever felt like you are on a spiritual journey, unsure of which way to turn or how to deepen your connection with God?
You know where you want to go – closer to God, living a life of purpose and faith – but the path isn’t always clear. Perhaps life’s questions whisper in your ear:
“Am I living according to my values?”
“How can I deepen my connection with God?”
“What does it mean to be a good person in today’s world?”
Offering a warm and welcoming space to explore these questions that is where spiritual direction can be an illuminating guide to finding your answers, discerning which turn to take on your path of deepening your relationship with the divine.
Spiritual direction is not a lofty concept reserved for mystics or theologians. It’s a profound person-centered spiritual exploration, a sacred practice rooted in the Christian tradition, where you embark on a journey of self-discovery alongside a trusted companion: a spiritual director.
There is a synergy that occurs in a spiritual direction session. The director accompanies the directee with a shared focus on where God is guiding, inviting, directing and nurturing the developing faith of the directee.
You may be wondering – why would I need a spiritual director? Can’t I just read the Bible, attend my home group and talk to my vicar when I have questions?
While those are all vital practices, spiritual direction offers something more. A spiritual director is someone who will listen deeply to you without judgement, but with compassion and a specific focus around your spiritual formation. They can ask powerful questions that shed light on what God might be doing in your life, helping you navigate the obstacles and embrace the callings you face.
The directee’s role in spiritual direction is to show up openly and honestly, sharing their interior spiritual journey – the consolations and desolations, the questions and struggles, their experiences of prayer. The director’s role is to pay close, careful, prayerful attention and to help the directee notice the movements of grace and the presence of Spirit.
For example, you may share about a recurring temptation you face and the director may gently ask what methods of prayer lead you closest to God’s peace. You may express feelings of spiritual dryness – feeling distant from God – and the director may point out subtle areas of new growth or a hunger for God that your dryness coincides with. The director’s sole purpose is to companion you as the Spirit shapes your life.
Some of the most humble and powerful moments of my life have happened in spiritual direction.
In the safety of that nonjudgmental space, I’ve had my vulnerabilities exposed, lamenting my failures and sufferings, only to be met with tender compassion. I’ve grappled with weighty issues and through prayerful listening found the courage to discern which turns to take on my spiritual path.
Maybe you’re curious about your faith but aren’t sure how to find answers, or you feel you’re going through a spiritual transition and want guidance, or you desire a supportive space to explore your values and purpose. Maybe you simply long for a deeper and more meaningful connection with God. Spiritual direction might be a valuable tool for your spiritual development. Spiritual direction visits are usually once a month and are an hour long – though often the benefits unfold after faithful, regular visits over time.
If any of these thoughts resonate with you, reach out. If you would like further details on finding a spiritual director in the Nelson diocese, speak to your parish vicar or go to our directory for a list of spiritual directors. For a broader list of spiritual directors throughout New Zealand go to the Association for Christian Spiritual Directors in New Zealand.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
