Spiritual Direction – is an on-going relationship in which one person (the directee), desirous of being attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with another person (the director) on a regular basis (approximately once a month), specifically for the purpose of becoming more attuned to God’s Presence in order to respond more fully to God in all of life and grow in his/her relationship with God.
Spiritual Direction is not the same as counseling. While counseling is concerned with problem solving, wholistic growth, and diagnosing and treating psychological and emotional problems, Spiritual Direction focuses specifically on the growth of an individual’s relationship with God especially amidst painful experiences. Problem-solving is not the primary focus of Spiritual Direction.
Since God is communicating to us through our ordinary life experiences as well as in our prayer experiences, we believe all of life can be brought to spiritual direction.
Spiritual Directors may be found among persons of many denominations, laity, clergy, and persons in Christian communities. What is paramount is that the director is responding to an invitation from God to participate in this ministry of Spiritual Direction and engage in prayer for the directee and openness to God for what is truly called for on behalf of the directee during the sessions. (Peter C. Wilcox, S.T.D.)