Spiritual Direction

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction emerged from an ancient form of mentoring. A spiritual “director” was often a monastic monk or nun, experienced in supporting and encouraging a Seeker like yourself, in how to stay the course of your spiritual journey. Also called spiritual accompaniment or mentoring, it is not psychotherapy, and is a slow-paced, contemplative way of listening to your inner stirrings so you can attend to the presence of the divine within the whole of your life. You learn subtle ways to connect and grow in relationship with that Source, however you name it, to and respond creatively to that discovery. Your Guide cultivates ways you can build on the spiritual aspect of being human, as well as how to accept your human foibles as a spiritual being. It is open to everyone - whether or not you follow a particular spiritual path.

A trained spiritual director is a lay person, affiliated or not with a formal religious body or perhaps none at all. My training was completed in 2010 at Lev Shomea, a two-year program of Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality, in Falls village, CT. I later earned a doctorate in non-denominational pastoral ministry. I began with my bachelors’ in Catholic theology in 1981. I first had a spiritual director at age 24. I am not ordained, am not beholden to any particular creed, though I practice Judaism. I worked briefly in Catholic religious education after college, and as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I served thousands of people in mental health for over 35 years, always with an ear toward clients’ expressed and intuited spiritual yearnings.

How does one benefit from the Spiritual Direction session?

Whether or not we’ve ever needed psychotherapy, most of us would agree that even if our lives are going well, we can sense a yearning for more…Life. Or we need help discerning our truest values and guiding principles in order to make life-changing decisions. At the core of our being, we sense the Presence of something larger than ourselves that speaks the truth about our lives— when we are primed to hear. Time spent with a guide creates that space for listening to your true self. It’s about telling your own sacred story, and hearing it affirmed as holy.

How does it work?

Once a month or so, you sit down for an hour with your trained spiritual companion, starting with silence and simple prayer or meditation for the purpose of quietly opening yourself to awareness of your soul’s deepest yearnings. We may talk about spiritual wounds, trauma, desires and joys, doubts and hopes, and you will learn which ‘stage of faith’ you are currently living in, leaving, or discovering. You may find yourself “re-writing” the God-story you were taught.

~ To rest in your spirit one hour a month:

You will notice subtle changes as you begin to live more closely in line with God/Ultimate Reality/your values/your soul. The work is to explore an invitation to sanctify our living and dying.

~ A sliding fee scale is offered:

The first meeting is at no charge so either party can assess if the relationship will be the ‘right fit.’ Spiritual Direction is typically a monthly meeting and is not covered by health insurance.

60 mins | $70-$125