WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?

Christian spiritual direction has been practiced for centuries. The Old Testament speaks of Samuel and Eli discerning God’s voice in the night (I Samuel 3:3) and the New Testament gives us examples with Jesus and the disciples and Paul and Timothy.

In spiritual direction, people purposely practice the discipline of “attentiveness.” We create space through silence and other contemplative practices so we may hear God’s invitations and discover God’s presence within our ordinary lives.

All of us are engaged in some form of spiritual direction. We are all going somewhere, but who or what is directing us is an open question.

Alan Jones