What is spiritual direction?
I created Juniper House because I believe that healing is different than fixing. It’s a space where you don't have to find a cure for what ails you, but you can find a little respite. A refuge. A stop on the journey. Your story is sacred. Your questions are sacred.
In spiritual direction, we get closer to inhabiting the uninhabitable. In so doing, we can find belonging, comfort, peace, and maybe even a little meaning.
I view spiritual direction/companionship as journeying with you as you live the questions now. And life is nothing if not a series of questions, big and small: Questions about meaning, God, vocation, why things happen the way they do, why things don’t happen the way we think they should. The list goes on and on. A spiritual director is someone who journeys with you through these mysteries.
As a spiritual director, I believe this ordinary life with all of its questions is sacred. Spiritual directors listen without judgment and provide space and contemplative tools for you to explore your own story.
There are many healing professions, and it’s important to remember that spiritual direction is different than therapy, coaching, pastoral care, or any number of things. There can be similarities or overlaps, but spiritual direction is a different practice.
How is spiritual direction different than life coaching or psychotherapy?
A life coach is a type of wellness professional who helps people make progress in their lives in order to attain greater fulfillment. Coaching is results-oriented. While there may be overlaps between coaching and spiritual direction, ultimately I am not in the pursuit of results. In spiritual direction, we are cultivating a rich inner life and exploring our relationship with ourselves and the divine. This journey often leads to results such as finding meaning, healing, clarity, etc. But to use a cliche – it’s about the journey, not the destination.
At first glance, spiritual direction might look suspiciously like therapy or counseling. It’s a one-on-one appointment with someone who is listening to you. Here’s where it differs: therapy is clinical. It requires a license, and therapists are trained in psychology. A spiritual director is not licensed. We might have a certificate or degree in this practice, but there is no regulatory body or licensure like there is in psychotherapy. That is why it is so critical that spiritual directors don’t overstep their bounds. While we discuss grief and loss, it is done in the context of your spiritual life — whatever that means to you.
Portrait of a spiritual director
Spiritual Directors International has incredible resources for understanding spiritual direction. I have found its “Portrait of a Spiritual Director” to be incredibly enlightening!
What are the benefits of spiritual direction?
This is tricky territory because spiritual direction is by nature a mystical experience. If we differ from other healing modalities by not seeking results and not being clinical, how can we quantify the benefits? I’m not sure we can, but here’s what I know: We are creating space, exploring your relationship with the divine and your own story, and cultivating a rich inner life. I believe that spiritual direction can help us find belonging, comfort, peace, and maybe even a little meaning.
