Spiritual Companioning

The words spiritual direction first off evoke an image of some wise person giving good advice to someone about their way to God. It needs to be said that this is not the primary meaning of the practice even though at some time good advice may be given.

Spiritual direction refers to the whole process whereby the direction of a person’s journey in the Spirit can become clearer. It involves a three way meeting of the director or companion so called, the person seeking spiritual direction and God’s Spirit for whose presence the two people make way by their approach to spiritual direction.

The person coming for direction brings their experience of the ordinary events of their life. The director listens to their experience as they relate it and by their attentiveness enables the person to notice how God’s Spirit is moving in their life. The person is then free to respond to God’s invitation.

Who are the people who might seek spiritual direction? Often they are people who have come across some challenge on their faith or spiritual journey and cannot find guidance in dealing with the challenge. They may be people who feel they want more from the journey and cannot find a way of moving on.

Spiritual Directors can be contacted through the Carmelite Centre:

• Fr Jim De Laurier ocarm
• Fr Matthew McPhee ocarm
• Catherine Smith; and
• Adrian Jones

If you are interested in finding out more about Spiritual Companioning, please contact the office.