Spiritual direction is an ongoing relationship in which a person desirous of being attentive to her or his spiritual journey regularly meets with a Spiritual Director, trained in listening and discerning the presence and movement of God in life. This is a discipline passed down through the centuries of Christendom...what the ancients called “Tending the Holy.” My work as a spiritual director is to listen to your story, your challenges, your calling, your places of transition, and wonder with you about how God is meeting you in that place.

The benefits are unique to each individual, but there are specific benefits or “gifts” that I have experienced in my own work with a director. I discuss these gifts of Awakening, Hospitality, Story, Pilgrimage, Meditation, Silence, and Belonging, in my book “Sacred Conversation: Exploring the Seven Gifts of Spiritual Direction.”

In a word, “anyone.” And it’s not just for the Christian community, although my own faith is Christ-focused. More specifically, spiritual direction seems to be especially helpful for anyone who wants to be more intentional about being present to their relationship with God or their Higher Power. They are interested in spiritual growth, changes in their faith practice, life transitions that bring new perspectives. These individuals are mindfully aware and looking for the Divine in the ordinary moments of life. They are serious about discerning the voice of God in the midst of the other voices that compete for attention.

A spiritual director or companion is present to the directee through deep listening and personal support. This creates a safe environment to openly and prayerfully explore where God’s Spirit is present, speaking, inviting, and leading. The directee is encouraged to draw close to God through conversation, listening, and prayer.

My role as a director is not to give you the answers or to tell you how to fix a situation. A spiritual director is not a therapist who deals with issues or finds solutions to problems. In fact, in most situations when I’m directly asked, “What do you think I should do?” I will encourage you to listen to your own wisdom and to trust your own path and watch where the Divine appears. I will ask you questions that will help you facilitate your own discernment process. The spiritual journey is never ending and travels through every soul-scape, from seasons of dry wilderness to mountaintop experiences, from the shadowy valleys of sorrow to the wide-open fields inviting you to explore new horizons. This is why I, personally, have met with a spiritual director for over 15 years. It helps me show up to God, to myself, and to others

The conversation in a session is up to you. We talk about whatever it is that is on your heart, impacting your life, or keeping you stuck. It may be things you are pondering and wondering about faith in the midst of your current circumstances. It may be a desire for spiritual growth and how you experience or recognize it. It may be the issues that keep coming up in certain environments, like boredom in your everyday work life, or where you feel called to serve in your church. You may want to talk about your prayer life, or your changing understandings about God. It may just be looking at the season of your life and the transitions you are experiencing, always looking for the invitations from God in it all. The possibilities in “sacred conversation” are endless. As the scripture says, “God’s mercies are new every morning…” So why not talk about them.

Typical meetings with a director are one hour once or twice per month and can happen in person or via video chat. My fees are on a sliding scale that best fits your budget ranging from $70-$100/hour. But finances should never keep you from reaching out for spiritual direction. Schedule a complementary session by contacting me directly via email at the email icon at the top of the page, or use the scheduling app below (times shown are Pacific time zone).