Spiritual Direction

What is spiritual direction?

“Within each of us dwells the desire to find meaning beyond the moment…to discover our true selves…to grow closer to God and to one another (SDI).” Spiritual direction can help satisfy these longings. It is a process which allows someone to share their interior and exterior lives with a trained director for the purpose of discovering the presence and movement of the Lord within his or her life.

 

Is it for me?

“The best candidates are those who have lived life and not been afraid of its joys and pains. They have strong desires for something more in their relationship with God,” William Barry SJ.

 

When might it be appropriate?

You may want to consider spiritual direction if your prayer life seems stuck or dry, if you are discerning an important decision, or if a loss or change has thrown you off your spiritual path.

 

How is it different from psychotherapy or pastoral counseling?

Spiritual direction “directly assists individuals in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God.” A therapist helps patients solve problems while a spiritual director helps the seeker attend to God’s power, love and grace within the context of everyday struggles, emotions, perceptions, etc. There are always three involved in direction, the seeker, the Holy Spirit, and the director.

 

Spiritual Director

I am a former special education teacher who currently works as a licensed nursing assistant for Catholic Charities. I am involved in my parish and offer retreats on Scripture and the role of writing in prayer. If you are curious about the process, as a student in Fairfield University’s Spiritual Directors Formation Program, I can offer spiritual direction. I would be happy to both answer questions, and potentially, journey with you on your path forever towards the Lord.

 

© 2014 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved