Spiritual direction at Pathways Retreat
Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual companionship) is a sacred conversation with a trained listener about God’s presence in your life. Through this ministry, you are invited to notice and attend the deeper movements of the Spirit. Spiritual direction provides intentional, confidential, non-judgmental space to reflect upon your life journey and to open to God’s transforming love and grace. Because spiritual direction is steeped in contemplative practice and deep listening, it allows space for you to become aware of what is deep within you.
Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual companionship) is a sacred conversation with a trained listener about God’s presence in your life. Through this ministry, you are invited to notice and attend the deeper movements of the Spirit. Spiritual direction provides intentional, confidential, non-judgmental space to reflect upon your life journey and to open to God’s transforming love and grace. Because spiritual direction is steeped in contemplative practice and deep listening, it allows space for you to become aware of what is deep within you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might I be interested in spiritual direction?
People come to spiritual direction for a variety of reasons. Often they wish to:
- Become more aware of God’s presence in their daily life.
- Discover and follow their own spiritual path.
- Find support during a time of loss
- Discern their path forward when making difficult life choices..
- Explore new and different ways of praying.
- Find healing, balance, wholeness, and transformation.
- Consider some of the big questions in life, such as:
- Who am I, in the truest and deepest sense?
- What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of my life?
- How can I nurture the connection I feel in peak experiences where I feel “at one” with what I’m doing?
- What do I have to give to the world?
- What skills for living can help me cope with the inevitable pain, loss and difficulty that beset us all at some time?
How do I find a spiritual director?
The Pathways staff are trained spiritual directors. You can find more information about Linda Lehman Thomas, Julie Stegelmann, and Evan Miller by clicking on our names.
In addition, Spiritual Directors International provides the Find a Spiritual Companion guide, a list of spiritual directors from around the world.
In addition, Spiritual Directors International provides the Find a Spiritual Companion guide, a list of spiritual directors from around the world.
What happens during a spiritual direction session?
Each session is unique, depending on the directee and the director. Some directors begin each session with a time of silence, or a brief contemplative practice. The directee talks about whatever is on their heart or mind. Directors typically ask questions.
To give you a flavor of live spiritual directions, watch the two videos at the bottom of the page. In them, Julie Stegelmann and Evan Miller trade roles of directee and director. These videos were unscripted and unrehearsed, so you get a sense of the kinds of things people bring to direction, and you may also notice subtle differences in the way Julie and Evan approach their roles as directors.
To give you a flavor of live spiritual directions, watch the two videos at the bottom of the page. In them, Julie Stegelmann and Evan Miller trade roles of directee and director. These videos were unscripted and unrehearsed, so you get a sense of the kinds of things people bring to direction, and you may also notice subtle differences in the way Julie and Evan approach their roles as directors.
How much does it cost?
At Pathways Retreat, the cost for spiritual direction is $60 - $80 per session. This makes it possible for us to operate a retreat center and pay a living wage for our staff.
Having said that, Pathways Retreat is committed to making spiritual direction to anyone who desires it. Our Accessibility Fund is available to make up the difference between what a directee can afford and the center needs to operate. So if $60 is too high for you, pay what you can and we’ll draw from the Accessibility Fund. If you can give more, we encourage you to do so. Any extra will go to the Accessibility Fund so that those who do not have deep financial resources can also benefit from direction.
Having said that, Pathways Retreat is committed to making spiritual direction to anyone who desires it. Our Accessibility Fund is available to make up the difference between what a directee can afford and the center needs to operate. So if $60 is too high for you, pay what you can and we’ll draw from the Accessibility Fund. If you can give more, we encourage you to do so. Any extra will go to the Accessibility Fund so that those who do not have deep financial resources can also benefit from direction.
How often do they happen?
Most direction sessions happen about monthly.
How long does a session last?
Session are typically 50-60 minutes.
Where do you meet?
Prior to the pandemic, we met in person in private rooms at Pathways Retreat. During the pandemic, we primarily met directees on-line using Zoom (or another calling platform). These meetings are surprising effective, and some people even seem to prefer them because they don’t have to travel.
Currently we meet directees either in person at Pathways Retreat or via Zoom, depending on the directee's preference. During nice weather, we can also meet directees in one of our outdoor meeting spaces. These outdoor “rooms” provide the needed privacy and enable us to meet in a place where the risk of virus transmission is greatly reduced.
Currently we meet directees either in person at Pathways Retreat or via Zoom, depending on the directee's preference. During nice weather, we can also meet directees in one of our outdoor meeting spaces. These outdoor “rooms” provide the needed privacy and enable us to meet in a place where the risk of virus transmission is greatly reduced.
|
|
|
“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
Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, USA
Online Payment for Spiritual Direction
- Please make arrangements with your spiritual director prior to making an online payment.
- Click on the Pay for Services button below.
- Select the amount ($60-80 is generally recommended unless otherwise agreed upon with your director).
- Indicate the name of your spiritual director and the date of the session you are paying for in the notes. Thank you.
Proudly powered by Weebly