My interest in psychology had something to do with that other interest, I believe. In my second year at Weston, in the fall of , our province started a series of weekend workshops led by Dominic Marucca, S.
At the first weekend the penny dropped when I realized that I could use the skills of listening and conversation I had learned at the University of Michigan to help people talk about the experience of God. I was ecstatic. At that same weekend five other Jesuits and I began discussing a center for Ignatian spirituality which developed into the Center for Religious Development which the Provincial approved and which opened in the fall of The purpose of this center was to give spiritual direction, train spiritual directors and do research and writing on spiritual direction.
In conjunction with Weston School of Theology we offered a school-year-long practicum for people with some experience as spiritual directors. The program lasted two semesters. I have never looked back. I find the work of spiritual direction challenging and invigorating and a great joy.
And why not? God is never boring. God is so surprising, so creative and so desirous of our friendship. I have come to realize that God has promised us only that he will be with us; God does not promise success, health, a long life; but he has promised that he will be with us through everything life throws at us. Such fidelity over centuries brings tears to my eyes. I have also learned through experience to trust the wisdom of Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises , especially in his rules for the discernment of spirits.
What a gift he gave the church in that book! I have also been privileged to share great joys and great sorrows with many people as they move closer and closer to God. And I also have the grace to be able to continue this work even into my eighties, and for as long as my faculties continue to function helpfully for others. I feel as though my work is prayer, and that is a great grace indeed.
Finally, since God is God, I am constantly surprised by joy. The biggest challenges came in the beginning, I think. I made all the mistakes of any beginner, allowing my concerns to get in the way of listening. For instance, the first time I directed some people in an eight day retreat, I had ideas for each day as to what texts might be helpful, what themes might come up, etc.
Of course, these got in the way of my listening to what the retreatant was looking for from God. However, when people suffer intractable problems or persistent dryness in prayer, then I have to remind myself, or be reminded in supervision, of my need to trust in God and to keep to my belief about what my role is as a spiritual director. Another challenge is to care for everyone who comes for spiritual direction. All of us have our likes and dislikes, but if I cannot come to some liking of a person, I will not be able to be of real help to him or her.
I have been surprised how often such prayer works. I would first find out why they are thinking of trying spiritual direction to get some idea of their motivation. If I sensed that the reason had to do with a desire to develop a deeper relationship with God, then I would give them the names of some possible directors.
I would tell them that they should try it out with someone for a few sessions and then ask themselves how they feel and whether they are getting some help with their relationship with God.
The typical setting is some kind of office space or room that is private, but also public, at least in the sense that others could see in.
Make important decisions or changes. We all have moments or seasons of needing to make significant decisions. Big decisions are opportunities to consider our options, values, and desires. Your spiritual director will work alongside you to discern and evaluate decisions, and move forward with wisdom. When we find our unique purpose in life, our identity intersects with our mission, and we experience profound contentment and joy. A spiritual director will help you explore and make space for your passions, talents, and God-given calling.
Share joys, fears, desires, and struggles in a safe environment. There is a significant human experience that occurs when we can name our deepest desires and struggles in the presence of another person. Our soul has space to be seen and heard. In relationship with a spiritual director, you will have a safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings.
Your spiritual director will listen and ask questions, not to judge or problem solve, but to be present with you in your experiences. Spiritually heal from past wounds and hurts. There may be wounds from your past that continue to have a negative effect on you. Some wounds have spiritual roots, and therefore need spiritual remedies. Indeed silence is what allows the words we speak to have meaning because it is their ground and background in the Word of God who speaks in silence.
The examples are an attempt to show the marvelous transformation that takes place through genuine spiritual direction, leading a person always deeper into their relationship with God, which in turn deepens and puts in proper context other relationships. It is necessary more and more to die to self, even to forget self—in the sense that the focus must be first on God, so that self and personal relationships with others may be seen in light of that most fundamental relationship with God.
We hope that this book will enrich those who read it: whether they are spiritual directors or those who want to better understand the process of spiritual direction in which they are engaged, or both. More than improving technique, it is hoped that the book helps people to draw closer to the Lord and to love self and others in light of Him, our first Love, for Whom God has created us and without Whom we always labor under the feeling that what is most important is missing.
Thomas Acklin is a spiritual director and theologian who serves as a professor at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. This is the structure of love in practice. Otherwise they are too dangerous to be allowed into the soul space of others. Click for reprint information. Richard Foster previously wrote on leadership , which accompanied an interview with Christianity Today. CT also interviewed Richard Foster and Dallas Willard on the difference between discipleship and spiritual formation.
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