Step 8: Seeking Spiritual Direction

Knowledge does not come to us in details, but in flashes of light from heaven. (Henry David Thoreau)

Spiritual direction was described by Ganje-Fling and McCarthy (1991) as “a relationship which has as its major objective the ongoing development of the spiritual self” (p. 104). Worthington and his colleagues (1996) defined it as “guided reflection about the spiritual aspects of one’s life” (p. 465). Believers in all of the world religious traditions at times seek guidance and direction from their religious and spiritual leaders, such as a priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, bishop, guru, spiritual director, elder, or prophet. They also at times seek spiritual direction directly from God through prayer, sacred writings, and meditation, and contemplation. People generally believe that they are helped by the spiritual direction they receive through such spiritual practices. The spiritual direction they receive from such practices may include spiritual enlightenment and growth; absolution from sin; relief from shame and guilt; insight into how to cope with and overcome emotional, marital, and family problems; and feelings of support and acceptance.

We encourage you to seek spiritual direction about the problems and concerns in your life. We also encourage you to seek spiritual direction about your life’s purpose and mission. As we discuss in this growth path, when people gain a spiritual vision and revelation about their life’s purpose and mission, it can have a powerful influence for good in their lives. Some people find it helpful to visit with their spiritual leader about the purpose and meaning of life, and about the specific mission God may have in store for their life. Within some religious traditions, spiritual leaders are authorized to pronounce inspirational blessings that serve as a source of spiritual insight and vision for those they bless. In other religious traditions, believers are encouraged to seek out their own vision and understandings regarding their life’s purpose and mission through practices such as praying, meditating and contemplating, reading sacred writings, fasting, and so on. We encourage you to seek spiritual direction for your life in a manner that is consistent with your faith and religious tradition.

In examining your life up to this time, what heartfelt, intuitive, or spiritually-directed decisions have you made that have significantly changed the course or direction of your life? Consider what precipitated these changes? Reflect on what happened inside of you that led to these decisions or changes at these times? What were the outcomes or impacts of these changes? How do you think God or your spiritual source may have influenced these shifts in your life?