Spiritual Direction
From Sister Colleen...
As I reflect on my early beginnings as a spiritual director, I recall that my initial experience started in the late 1970s. Directed retreats were becoming popular and there was a new call for persons to serve as companions during this sacred time. (Directed retreats were made by individual persons with no preached input, but rather a conference with the director, often daily, or sometimes less frequently.) I joined others who volunteered for this role. We were gifted with the supervision of highly experienced spiritual directors. It was a privilege and a wonderful experience which motivated several of us to become certified in spiritual direction and we continue this ministry today.
The greatest responsibility of this role is to listen carefully to the directee and thus discover the direction for the session. Persons have a variety of reasons for choosing spiritual growth and exploring obstacles to their relationship with God. Many choose these sessions on an ongoing basis and others make the choice at specific periods of their lives.
It becomes very clear in the process that the Holy Spirit is guiding the directees in their spiritual growth. The director affirms and assists the directee in further exploration of a spiritual or personal issue. Usually the session takes place on a monthly basis or at intervals that are most helpful to the directee.
People of all faiths are seeking spiritual direction as well as being trained as directors. Directees often discover that these sessions benefit their relationships with others and all of creation. They are challenged to greater accountability to themselves as well as to the director. Most spiritual directors that I know say that the sessions are a spiritual deepening for themselves. I wholeheartedly agree and am very grateful for this sacred privilege. - S. Colleen Byron
Photo by Jerry Olson