Services
Non-religious Spiritual Direction
One on one non-religious spiritual direction
What is the difference between spiritual direction and non-religious spiritual direction? As you might imagine, non-religious spiritual direction provides companionship and resources that lie outside of rigid religious dogma. Non-religious spiritual direction allows you to ask questions in a nonjudgmental setting. Are there topics that you are curious about but never had the opportunity to explore?
The process of leaving behind old, outdated religious beliefs and replacing them with new spiritual beliefs is often referred to as Deconstruction and Reconstruction. As a non-religious spiritual director, I can explain the journey through deconstruction and reconstruction. Millions of others have taken that journey. The problem is that it is always a personal journey. And that can make it lonely and a bit scarry.
Working one on one with you, I act as a guide through what may seem like a strange, new, secular world. The transition from a close-knit faith-based community to a wide-open secular world may be a bit overwhelming. Others have done it, and you can too.
When working with individuals who are deconstructing, the number one issue that they encounter seems to be a loss of community. Establishing a trusted relationship with a spiritual director is a first step in finding a new community. I help individuals understand how they can connect with new communities.
I offer a free 30 minute exploratory session to anyone who is looking for non-religious spiritual direction. If you are interested in learning more about non-religious spiritual direction and the services I provide, click on the button below and you will be taken to the on-line scheduling page. Let’s see if I can be of service to you.
Spiritual Direction Supervision (CNRS Trainees Only)
One of the best descriptions that I have ever read explaining spiritual direction supervision is the following;
“Supervision is not an adjunct to the training. It is the environment in which the practitioner is actually formed. Everything prior can be understood, discussed, and even agreed with at a conceptual level. But none of that guarantees that a person can sit in front of another human being and remain present without distorting the interaction. Formation happens when real behavior is brought into contact with reality, examined closely, and gradually reshaped through awareness. Without that process, trainees do not become practitioners”.
Not surprisingly, those words were written by Jim Palmer and come from his CNRS Practicum Supervision Guide. Supervision is not about evaluating or judging a trainees’ spiritual direction session. It is more about closely examining what took place. It is about self-reflection.
A good practice after each spiritual direction session that helps a trainee prepare for supervision is to take time for self-reflection. Note the themes that emerged, the existential domains that were active, and the follow-up if any that is needed. Were you able to stay within scope and maintain non-hierarchy? Did you avoid interruption, giving advice, or other subtle forms of steering? And most of all, did you honor the client’s inner authority? This is what you bring to a supervision session. Of course, not every session needs to be discussed in supervision. You choose what you bring to a session.
Having the right chemistry between two individuals is important in non-religious spiritual direction and it is important in supervision. I offer a free 30 minute exploratory session to anyone who is looking for non-religious spiritual direction supervision. If you are interested in learning more about non-religious spiritual direction supervision and the services I provide, click on the button below and you will be taken to the on-line scheduling page. Let’s see if I can be of service to you.