Spiritual Direction
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is a contemplative practice in which one person (the director) accompanies another (the directee) on their spiritual journey. It’s not about giving advice or solving problems — it’s about deep listening, discernment, and exploring the sacred in everyday life.
It involves regular, intentional conversations where a person can reflect on their relationship with the Divine (however they understand it), the stirrings of the soul and their experiences of meaning, vocation, faith, doubt or transition.
A spiritual director is trained to listen deeply and help the person notice where God, Spirit or Life might be moving in their life.
Impacts and Outcomes of Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction has a wide range of personal and spiritual benefits.
Greater Self-Awareness and Inner Clarity
People begin to see patterns in their life and reactions and they gain deeper insight into their desires, struggles and decisions.
Deeper Connection to the Sacred
It helps individuals notice how the Divine is present and active in their life and encourages a contemplative awareness in daily living.
Discernment and Life Direction
It supports people in making choices rooted in their values and spiritual truths and offers space to reflect on big transitions like vocation, retirement and grief.
Emotional and Spiritual Healing
It provides a safe, confidential space to process grief, trauma, or joy and can restore a sense of peace, wholeness, and hope.
Integration of Faith and Life
It encourages living with authenticity and intention and trengthens one’s ability to align actions with beliefs.
Who Seeks Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is for anyone on a spiritual journey — not just clergy or religious. People who often seek it out include:
- Those in transition (grief, retirement, change of vocation).
- People feeling spiritually dry, stuck, or distant from God.
- Individuals discerning a calling, decision, or path forward.
- Anyone desiring to deepen their prayer life or faith.
- Those on a retreat or seeking spiritual nourishment.
It’s also common among:
- Teachers, caregivers, chaplains and community leaders.
- People recovering from burnout.
- Seekers from all traditions or none.