There is Someone who loves me far more than I do. Knows my needs much better than I can. Thinks of me tenderly day and night. Longs to help me more than I want to be helped. Forgives and gives me a new chance even if I (foolish and blind that I am) spit in His face. This news is too good to be true.
Or, is it?
It is true. This Someone is real, and close, and wants to show me the way.
If so, the smartest thing to do would be to listen, learn what this Lover seeks to give me, and allow myself to be guided.
But there is a danger—since I am not sure if I hear Him right, or even have the right image of Him—that I may be misguided. What I take as His guidance may only be camouflaged egoism. What I claim is God’s will may simply be my fantasy.
Hence the need to check this out with someone. Someone wise and caring who has my genuine interest at heart. Who will listen to my words and my unsaid sighs, understand me in depth, and points out milestones that I missed.
This kind of conversation is what spiritual direction is about.
Most people plod through life in boring mediocrity. Some seek wrong short cuts and mess up their lives. A few seek wisdom and want to be guided by this Inner Voice.
This is a surrender—as in all forms of love. It is supremely freeing, not limiting.
These seekers learn from the best human beings they have known. They move from trifles to passion, from surface to depth.
If you enjoy pursuing this sort of conversation, you are into spiritual direction. It takes some digging, but it will bring you both ecstasy and peace.
I believe strongly in spiritual direction. I have benefited greatly from it, and seen the happy changes it brings about in others.
Hence, truly from the heart, I wish you the same—the grace to meet someone who helps you explore your deepest self, and, perhaps, to become such a person yourself.
This is, believe me, far more thrilling than discussing cricket scores or the latest scandals, more demanding and life-giving than grumbling and gossip sessions, more delightful than fashion shows and gourmet food.
I found Sharon Gray’s article on spiritual direction from a woman’s perspective so wise and practical, that I decided to give it central place. I know Sharon from the time we taught at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and know what a wise and wonderful human being she is.
One more reason to read Sharon:
In India, most religious are women, but most spiritual directors are men. We can all learn much from a knowledgeable and experienced woman spiritual director who has trained others in this ministry, and who is deeply aware of the issues women face, and ways of helping them. She knows India first-hand as well. We will be a fuller and wiser Church if we had more women spiritual directors.
After all, for most of us, our first spiritual director was our mother.
Look deep. Love much. Live fully. Become the best possible version of yourself. You will then do your part to transform the world too. This is what spiritual direction can help us achieve. All the best!
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
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