Your first question might be, "Who are spiritual directors?".
Spiritual directors are trained individuals from varied walks of life who assist "directees" in the process of their individual and personal spiritual journeys. The art of spiritual direction takes place in the context that emphasizes growing closer to God while simultaneously living day - to -day lives.

      We, as spiritual directors in the state of Louisiana, practice this art of companioning with other individuals wishing to further their spiritual life and development.

       So, then, what might be some descriptions of spiritual direction?

       Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see    and obey the real Director the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul. (Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, USA)

       We define Christian spiritual direction as help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to Gods personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship. (William A. Barry, SJ and William J. Connolly, SJ, Center for Religious Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)

        Spiritual guidance is being present in the moment, seeing and honoring the sacred mystery of the soul of another. It is witnessing this mystery and reflecting it back in word, prayer, thought, presence, and action. Spiritual guidance is modeling a deep relationship with the Divine and standing in faith and love with the other as that relationship unfolds. Spiritual guidance is a journey of deep healing and an affirmation of Holiness (wholeness), the Sacred, and the Mystery of all of life. (Carol A. Fournier, MS, NCC, Interfaith Spiritual Director/Guide, Silver Dove Institute, Williston, Vermont, USA)

      Spiritual direction is a contact whereby someone accepts someone else as a guide on (a part of) their spiritual way. Someone seeks and accepts someone else as a guide on their own spiritual way and entrusts himself to his guiding authority. A sort of archetypal spiritual direction in the Christian tradition was practiced by the Desert Fathers (between 300 -600 AD). In the desert surviving as a human being and a faithful Christian was for most people only possible with a reliable guide. Spiritual guidance grew in a very natural way. Beginners looked for support from experienced fellow-travellers. They sought concrete advice. 'Speak a word to me.' They wanted clear directions so that they would not lose their way. (Gideon van Dam, Dutch Protestant Church, Netherlands)

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                   updated January 21,, 2012