‘What are you here for?’ or ‘How do you imagine God?’ are the possible open- ended questions that my ‘spiritual director’ asks me.\u00a0 I have been going to see him about three times a year for about five years.<\/p>\n
\u00a0I always leave him challenged and encouraged. Sometimes the challenges are very practical such as ‘How about taking up a new sport?’ Last year I took up sea canoeing, which I am now hooked on.<\/p>\n
Let me explain what a ‘spiritual director’ is by saying what he isn`t!<\/p>\n
He is not a director\u2026..we discover God’s path for us and discern where God is taking us by conversation.<\/p>\n
It is not always spiritual\u2026.. it could be practical or physical.<\/p>\n
I am not accountable to him\u2026.. I am accountable to my prayer triplet and my wife.<\/p>\n
He is not a counsellor\u2026.but he is unshockable and the session is confidential.<\/p>\n
He is a spiritual companion or soul friend, so if I was in pain, with a situation that had no solution he would ‘hold my hand’ and just be there alongside me.<\/p>\n
The title ‘spiritual director’ is not an accurate description, but because it is in fairly common use we are probably stuck with it now!<\/p>\n
If you could imagine strolling round your garden with an experienced gardener, he might suggest a few improvements or changes of design or easier ways of maintenance. Gardening is very open- ended and some folk think of it as an extension of the kitchen and others of a haven for wildlife. Some just want a concrete patio! So perhaps this is a helpful picture of ‘spiritual direction’.<\/p>\n
If you would like more information please contact the London Centre for Spirituality<\/a> or email me via CVM.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n