SPIRITUAL
DIRECTION
Spiritual direction is a one-to-one relationship between
individuals, with God as the third party.
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The
emphasis, in other words, is on "spiritual" rather than on
"direction", and--since every individual is different--in actual
practice that means every such relationship is unique. All
of us have sins and obstacles that stand in the way of our coming to know
God. When one Christian undertakes to serve as "director" for
another, that doesn't mean he or she is without sins or obstacles of their
own, only that they are willing to share the fruits of their experience with
others on the same journey. Some of the monks at Incarnation Priory are available for this ministry. If you live near enough to the Priory to be able to visit in person, you can explore this possibility by writing us at:
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or by
sending an e-mail addressed to Spiritual Direction, brtomohc@yahoo.com. Before you do this,
you should read and consider the answers to the following "Frequently
Asked Questions".
FAQ's
ABOUT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION:
Is Spiritual
Direction the same as Psychological Counseling?
No, it is not. Though some of the same issues are addressed, the focus is different. The focus of Spiritual Direction is a person's relationship with God, and how that relationship is expressed in the concrete circumstances of their lives. Spiritual Direction may supplement psychological counseling but it is never a substitute for it.
Do I have to be
Episcopalian to participate?
No. All that is necessary is that you be someone seriously seeking to know God in Christ, and that you want to explore that possibility with the help of someone else who is doing the same thing. Naturally, since the monks of Incarnation Priory are themselves Episcopalian, you need to be comfortable with that fact as well.
Does it cost money?
No, not in the sense that there is
a fixed fee. But it does take time, and because of that (and because the Priory
does not have a regular congregation to make donations) we ask people who are
using this ministry to make a donation if they can. The specifics are worked
out with the individual director, but no one is turned away solely because they
cannot pay.
How often do we meet?
That depends on the individual.
Some people come once a week, others once every two weeks, and others once a
month, depending on what they need and the availability of the director.
Is what I say
confidential?
Yes, of course. Spiritual
Direction does not carry with it the absolute secrecy of the Sacrament of
Penance, but the director is morally bound to keep everything that he or she is
told confidential.
What if I decide not
to continue?
The director and the person
seeking direction usually get together for an initial meeting to get a sense of
how they're likely to relate. Not every combination of people works well
together, and it's in no one's interest to perpetuate a relationship that isn't
working. If it becomes apparent at the first or a later meeting that this is
likely to be the case, it's better for the person seeking direction to go
elsewhere. If that happens, we will try to give you information to help you
find someone more suitable.
How do I begin?
First contact the Priory at the
address given above, and tell us a little about yourself. If our work-load
permits, we will set up an initial meeting to talk this over with you. Then, if
it seems acceptable to both parties, we will set up an initial schedule of
meetings. If we can't accomodate you, or there are other reasons why this
doesn't seem like a good idea, we will try to make some suggestions about other
possibilities. .