Spiritual Direction

Is spiritual direction something you have thought about? Have you ever wondered just what spiritual direction is, and who needs it?

First off, it is important to become familiar with the term spirituality. Spirituality is the process of having a relationship with God, self and others. It is life long and it is something that grows as we expand our awareness and responsiveness to the Divine. Saint Ignatius of Loyola who founded Ignatian Spirituality spoke about finding God/the Divine in everything. What a beautiful way to be in this world, particularly for one who believes in God. Finding God in the simple and the mundane as well as in the sunrise and the beauty of a rose is an exciting way to live each day.

This leads us to spiritual direction which is a one on one relationship organized around prayer and conversation directed toward deepening intimacy with God. The spiritual director is a companion on your journey, someone to walk side by side with you as you explore where God is in relationship to your daily existence. The spiritual director does not have all of the answers. Rather he/she is someone you can talk to in confidence about your prayer and spiritual life. She is someone who listens extremely well and sometimes responds with pertinent questions to help you explore and go deeper as to where the Holy Spirit is in your life and in particular in specific situations you are dealing with.

Spiritual direction is not reserved for spiritual leaders. It is appropriate for anyone desiring more intimacy with God. It is also appropriate for those with discernment issues such as career changes and relationships that might need to be ended. How is your relationship with God? Do you need a boost, a little guidance?

Certainly a spiritual director should have training to be in this role. The training I am most familiar with is a two year program in Ignatian Spirituality. This two year internship includes studying the Bible along with many contemporary readings. It included seeing people for spiritual direction and also other types of ministry such as visiting those who are imprisoned and those infirmed, such as hospitals and nursing homes. It includes a supervised internship and it involves many hours of study including several retreats and weekend conferences. Every person who participates in the internship must be in spiritual direction themselves.

One usually sees a spiritual director every three to four weeks. Sometimes a person wishes to meet more frequently which can be discussed with the spiritual director. There is often a fee involved which is negotiable with the individual spiritual director. I was commissioned to be a spiritual director after completing the two year internship in Ignatian Spirituality at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills.

If you have any questions or wish more information please call Angela Mazur at 248-414-4050

Angela Mazur, MA, LLP is a therapist at the Center for Creative Living, Inc., in Royal Oak. Besides being a therapist, Angela is a Certified Laughter Leader and she is trained in Ignatian Spirituality as a Spiritual Director.

Comments

[Denise]

Thanks for sharing a bit of your experience training to be a spiritual director. The inclusion of ministry and service as a part of the training is something I'm not sure many are aware of when it comes to spiritual direction, but it makes sense considering the totality of Ignatian spirituality.

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