Everyday Folk

I hope you are continuing this journey with me as I write more about details of spiritual direction. Every day people like you and me may ask what's in it for us?  Why in the world would that interest us? After all most of us would rate ourselves in the ordinary, every day caliber, in no high ranking position, with every day responsibilities.  Maybe we are parents, college students, factory workers, or just have a day that we go to work, do our jobs, come home and repeat this the next day.

When I first went to spiritual direction the only format I noticed was that I did the talking and the spiritual director did the listening.  Oh, once in a while she asked a question that encouraged me to go deeper into whatever I was talking about.  I walked out of each session thinking to myself that it was a rare time in my life that I really got to talk, to feel my feelings with no one trying to fix or change a thing! Once in awhile I needed to discern a situation; spiritual direction helped.  It was very refreshing, to say the least.

As my trust grew I brought more and more to each session. I was surprised that nothing was off the table to discuss...nothing! I didn't go with goals, things to work on or big questions; I did, however, trust my divine guide to prompt me as to what to talk about. That worked for me! One time, after a long period of time, I couldn't figure it all out as to how or what I was doing; I simply asked, "Am I doing OK?" And she reassured me that I was doing just fine so I continued trusting her and doing what I was doing...talking! 

She didn’t prod, probe nor react…just really listened well and companioned me!  That was probably the most surprising to me. Some of us come from a prodding, probing background where listening is not high on any totem pole!  Having someone just be a spiritual companion can be very life-giving. The spiritual direction process also believes that the divine within each of us will bring to light answers we might be seeking without being told by another what we should/should not do.

The neutrality of the sessions was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t understand, from the spiritual director’s side, what all went into this time with a client because listening, with minimal input, is by no means simple for a director. I didn't learn this until my own training.  From the outside looking in, it appeared that the director did nothing much! WRONG!!

It was amazing to me, how everything affected my own prayer life and connection with God. One thing that stood out though was that she was certainly NOT trying to get me to change, to become something I wasn’t nor did I think I had to get callouses on my knees to be “good enough”!! I didn't have to talk about my spirituality nor religious beliefs, even though she always had an eye on the divine in our conversation.  I was OK just the way I was!  So, I found out that spiritual direction IS for the ordinary folk after all!  

Molly LaFond is taking new clients. If you would like to speak with her or make an appointment she can be reached at 920 793.3530 or for further information and to subscribe to her blog go to: MollyLaFond.com

Spiritual Direction

Over the past few years I have been writing posts for my blog with a dual purpose: first, for you, my readers, to get a glimpse of my spirituality in everyday life and, secondly, to encourage you to consider spiritual direction for yourself. I now want to focus on writing specifically about the beauty and benefits of spiritual direction during various times in one's life.

I remember when first hearing about spiritual direction it seemed to point to those in some sort of a religious environment or someone studying religious interests. I use this as a beginning point; maybe some of you have had similar assumptions.  I will broaden out from this point in future posts. 

Spiritual direction is certainly recommended for those in religious formation and is a wonderful process to assist those considering this ministry.  There are many questions and discernment is needed when considering the religious life.  Having a person who is versed in religious life, like a director who is a religious, priest or someone who previously had been in that culture, certainly has the understanding and background to companion another. 

Spiritual direction is no longer just for the group of folks discerning religious ministry of various sorts. The secret is out and in my future posts I will continue this train of thought, sharing how spiritual direction can help a variety of individuals, not only the religious but the spiritual but not religious sector.  Hopefully, my future posts will make it clear as to what a gift spiritual direction can be.

Below is a link to Theresa Blythe's post and in-depth article Spiritual Direction and the Seminarian. She is director of the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, Tucson. 

Stay tuned!

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/spiritualdirection101/2016/01/spiritual-direction-and-the-seminarian/

Molly LaFond is a spiritual director and if you would like to do spiritual direction with her she can be reached at 920.793.3530 or go to MollyLaFond.com to subscribe to her blog.