“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future,
therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself.
If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important
it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself.
If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important
it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
What is Spiritual Direction and Counselling?
The term ‘spiritual direction’ can be misleading. Today many people prefer to use terms like ‘spiritual accompaniment’ or ‘spiritual companioning’ instead. These latter terms more accurately describe the contemporary practice of spiritual direction.
One doesn’t engage in spiritual direction to be told what to do. The process is one of two individuals seeking together the soul’s movements and direction. The spiritual director is one who is experienced through personal journeying, study and training, and professional practice, to point the way by helping the other make sense and meaning out of the promptings of the soul.
The emphasis is on helping the directee develop a solid spiritual practice and relationship with their soul. The director does not tell the directee what to do in a way that requires obedience. The directee has the final decision as to what to do in her/his spiritual life.
One doesn’t engage in spiritual direction to be told what to do. The process is one of two individuals seeking together the soul’s movements and direction. The spiritual director is one who is experienced through personal journeying, study and training, and professional practice, to point the way by helping the other make sense and meaning out of the promptings of the soul.
The emphasis is on helping the directee develop a solid spiritual practice and relationship with their soul. The director does not tell the directee what to do in a way that requires obedience. The directee has the final decision as to what to do in her/his spiritual life.
The Jungian Approach to Spiritual Direction
As a trained Jungian Analyst (www.rogerlarade.com) my practice of spiritual direction is influenced by this therapeutic orientation. I find, as many others have, that it fits extremely well into the process of spiritual direction.
Carl Jung’s approach emphasizes the healing capacity contained within one’s soul, with its purpose of tending towards wholeness. These elements are central to any spiritual journey. And so, whatever categories we may ascribe to in understanding our spiritual questing, Jung’s orientation to the soul can be a valuable asset in exploring our spirituality.
Jung’s approach to working with dreams as revelatory of how the soul is directing us can be an important facet of spiritual direction.
At times, disturbing contents from the unconscious may reveal themselves. The therapeutic approach that consideration of these contents may require is something I am trained in as a Jungian Analyst.
The starting point, and continuing grounding, of the spiritual journey is the individual’s own conscious relationship with the soul. In my work with clients, we make use of all material which mediates the action of the soul, including creative inspiration, religious symbols, prayer, metaphors, dream images, sacrament, everyday occurrences, and other sources in a way that is sensitive to the individual’s journey.
Carl Jung’s approach emphasizes the healing capacity contained within one’s soul, with its purpose of tending towards wholeness. These elements are central to any spiritual journey. And so, whatever categories we may ascribe to in understanding our spiritual questing, Jung’s orientation to the soul can be a valuable asset in exploring our spirituality.
Jung’s approach to working with dreams as revelatory of how the soul is directing us can be an important facet of spiritual direction.
At times, disturbing contents from the unconscious may reveal themselves. The therapeutic approach that consideration of these contents may require is something I am trained in as a Jungian Analyst.
The starting point, and continuing grounding, of the spiritual journey is the individual’s own conscious relationship with the soul. In my work with clients, we make use of all material which mediates the action of the soul, including creative inspiration, religious symbols, prayer, metaphors, dream images, sacrament, everyday occurrences, and other sources in a way that is sensitive to the individual’s journey.
