Spiritual Direction

Everyone is on a journey, and every person's journey is spiritual whether they recognize it or not. Spiritual directors help pilgrims to discover the holy moments and places in their lives they might otherwise miss. Spiritual directors, through holy, prayerful listening, assist individuals in finding their authentic path and the spiritual practices that are authentic to their unique path.

"Director" is somewhat of a misnomer. The spiritual director is rarely directive, but instead seeks to be present to God on the behalf of the directee, rather than present to the directee on behalf of God. Consequently, the true director is God, and the spiritual director functions more as a guide, a mid-wife, a soul friend. While director may suggest a book, passage of Scripture, or a particular prayer exercises, spiritual direction is not a problem-solving experience, but rather a listening experience: listening for the whispers of God and to the movements of the directee's heart.

A typical spiritual direction usually begins with a few moments of silent prayer, a request that God be the "agenda-setter", and that both director and directee be open to the leadings of Spirit. As the director listens to the directee recount a life or prayer experience, a question or sense of dryness, he or she may be prompted to ask questions that will further open the directee's experience, or that will bring to light God's presence in the situation. Most sessions last about an hour, and folks meet with their directors at whatever interval feels right to them: weekly, monthly, etc.

It is important that an individual find the right spiritual director for themselves. This can be done by asking for a referral from a trusted clergy person or friend, or by interviewing prospective directors. Both directee and director should have a sense of "calling" to this relationship. At Life Listening Resources we are committed to helping you find the right spiritual director of individuals, whether it be one of us or another of many fine spiritual directors in our area. Joy has recently agreed to serve as the Region 7 contact person for Spiritual Directors International, and has access to the membership rolls for this region.

Four spiritual directors are available through Life Listening Resources:

Joy Bergfalk, who has been accompanying folks of all ages on their journeys for thirty years and formally trained in spiritual direction through the Shalem Institute in Bethesda Maryland.

Jimmy Reader, Joy's husband, has studied spiritual direction off and on for fifteen years and most recently completed the spiritual directors' workshop in the summer of 2003 at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario. Jimmy also participates in the direction of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and serves as a prayer guide.

Eileen Metzger is also a graduate of the Shalem Institutes' spiritual direction training program and this is her third year assisting Joy in directing the Spiritual Exercises and serving as a prayer guide. She is a member of the Rochester Area Mennonite Fellowship, where she participates in leadership.

Mary Abraham attended the spiritual directors' workshop at Loyola House with Jimmy in the summer of 2003, and is experiencing her first year as a prayer guide for the Exercises. Mary is a high school science teacher and is preparing for the lay pastorate in the United Methodist Church.

Life Listening Resources has a policy that no one will be turned away because of inability to pay. Fees for spiritual direction can be worked out with the individual spiritual director.

See Schedule of Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

COACHING AND CONSULTING

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

HEALING

WORKSHOPS

RETREATS

LABYRINTHS

• www.veriditas.net
• www.labyrinthguild.org
• www.labyrinthsociety.org
• veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org

WRITINGS