Katie Rea Spiritual Direction 🌞

Spiritual Direction 101

First, what is a Spiritual Director? It is someone who helps you in your spiritual life. They will help you get closer in your relationship with the Divine, or help you increase in your spirituality.

Each person is born unique in the image of God, but there are times when society and the world tries to mute your distinctive qualities. A director will help a directee find their authentic truth within. A directee will use that wisdom for his or her benefit.

Tips for finding a Spiritual Director.

1. Pray

Ask for God to help you find a spiritual director.

2. Reach out to others

If you are affiliated with a church, ask your pastor or priest. Sometimes he or she will serve as a Spiritual Director. If not, ask for referrals or guidance. My priest, Rev. Vicki, helped me find my first spiritual director.

Also, retired clergy, deacons, other lay persons, hospital chaplains, military clergy, and university chaplains often serve (or have) spiritual directors. Feel free to ask around. Word of mouth is a great way to find directors.

3. Find a Spiritual Direction School

There are numerous schools and training centers available for Spiritual Directors. These centers can be a resource for finding a director who is right for you. A search on the internet will show training centers available in your area. Feel free to reach out and inquire. Due to COVID concerns, there have been many directors willing to meet on Zoom or other platforms. This opens up options outside your local area.

I’m receiving my training with www.wisdomtreecollective.com. Our leader, Kasey Hitt, has been a Spiritual Director for eighteen years and is a phenomenal instructor.

4. Search Sites

The internet also has many sites dedicated to finding spiritual directors. Many directors are non-denominational or multi-denominational. Others are specifically for a set religion. Directors come from diverse backgrounds and possess different skill sets.

www.sdicompanions.com (International Site)

www.Spiritualdirection.com (Catholic)

Final Thoughts

There is a great temptation to “go it alone” with God. Finding a spiritual director, committing to a monthly (or every other month) meeting schedule, and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can seem to be daunting tasks. We lead busy lives and have much on our plates. But this experience can be a worthy and benefiting endeavor.

I’ve been lucky to meet exceptional spiritual directors who were exactly what I needed at the time. Others have stated they had to meet a few directors before one felt like a good fit. Also, keep in mind you may have one Spiritual Director, but after time has passed you may find the time is right for someone new. God brings different people in your life right when you need them. It is the same for spiritual direction.

Lastly, don’t give up. Keep looking till the right director for you comes along.

“Where two or three are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:20