If you’ve been around the fields of spiritual formation or spiritual direction long enough (or even if you’ve just started to get familiar with them), you’ll have noticed that the language around the practice of spiritual direction is, well, a little bit squishy. Unlike many other disciplines or professional vocations, spiritual direction seems to use vauge terms and to either lack goals completely or have goals that feel somewhat undefined. What does “grow in prayer” really mean, anyway?
While I’m not in favor of turning spiritual direction into an analytical exercise, I would like to demystify both spiritual direction and spiritual directors a little bit. Which means rigorously dragging spiritual direction from the realm of the esoteric and amorphous down into the realm of the practical and tangible.
So, over the next few months, I’d like to invite you on a journey. The first part of that journey will be an introduction to some of the people I’m blessed to call friends. Every Wednesday, I’ll introduce you to someone who’s a spiritual director just like me—and, paradoxically, not like me at all.
Each of these directors will be someone I know personally, and would recommend heartily as a director. I’ll be sharing them with you for several reasons. First, you came to this site for a reason. Whether it’s to find a spiritual director of your own, an interest in the practice of spiritual direction or to learn more about the spiritual journey, you’re here, and I’m glad that you are. What I want you to know is that I, Tara Owens, am not the only face of spiritual direction out there. I practice a particular style and flavor of direction (which I’ve talked about a bit here). But my personality, my style, my practice may not be the best fit for you. I want you to know that there are lots of incredible options out there—people who practice local to you, or at a distance—and I’d like you to meet some of my favorites.
Second, I want to emphasize that the spiritual journey is deeply personal—which means that it connects to particular people. Each director has journeyed with God for a significant amount of their lives, and they have insights to share that are learnings from their own path. Also, I think it’s good for you to hear how other people define the practice of spiritual direction.
Finally, I’m going to be sharing a little bit more about my personal journey as a spiritual director and follower of Jesus. I’ll be talking about what brought me to spiritual direction, why *I* have a spiritual director, and some of my own struggles as I follow my own path with God. That feels pretty vulnerable, but I think it matters a great deal in the pursuit of keeping things real here at Anam Cara.
So, what kinds of things would you like to see talked about? What questions do you have? What would you like to know more about? Share with me…