behold, listen, attend

SoulTending 

spiritual direction in the Jungian tradition

faq

What is spiritual direction?

My spiritual direction practice is not connected to any particular religious framework; it is about honoring and celebrating wherever you are on your own personal spiritual journey. Those who have not experienced spiritual direction may be curious about what it entails. I welcome your curiosity and your questions.

You might think of spiritual direction as:

• Becoming more present to the sacred- exploring how the sacred is present in your life- exploring the spiritual aspect of being human.
• Practicing deep listening to the "still small voice" within; connecting with inner wisdom.
• Seeking authentic Self. "The Self is the slow, gradual realization of a divine cosmic center in the unconscious psyche of the individual." (William Walker, DMin)
• Exploring the myths or sacred stories of our lives- the reconnection with what is holy within ourselves and our lives; the universal, archetypal "hero's journey" of our lives.
• Exploring different ways of thinking/knowing/being- mind knowing, body knowing, heart knowing.
• Exploring quiet, silence, and contemplative practices. "Joy is a mysterious encounter with Otherness. As the soul quiets itself, deep joy and consolation become possible." (Don Bisson)
• Exploring symbols, images, metaphors as expressions of soul/Self, as transformative, transcendent, integrative, healing. This may include the use of sandplay, writing or art making as spiritual practices.
• Dreamwork, paying attention to Self's expression through dream images and narratives.
• Exploring the concept of Higher Power within a 12-step recovery program.
• Exploring experiences of awe, of encounters with something greater than ourselves.
• Seeking more ongoing connection with inner vitality, life force, our "root vital energy" (Martha Graham)- what does it mean to be fully alive, in this body, on this earth?
• Exploring what is our life's work or mission- recognizing our soul's desire to make the world a better place.
• Deepening the practice of mindfulness- of being more present in the directness and rawness of full experience of the here-and-now.
• Bearing witness to our strengths and our weaknesses- transforming our relationship with ourselves into one of acceptance and realization of our inherent inner goodness. Finding beauty and goodness in the broken places.
• Seeking instruction, mentoring, companioning in spiritual and contemplative practices; cultivating and nurturing a regular and ongoing personal practice.
• Being part of a "soul friendship" (Anam Cara) within which you are witnessed, seen, honored in the wholeness of who you are; creating a space of "deep refuge". "When you are blessed with an Anam Cara, ...you have arrived at that most sacred place: home." (John O'Donohue)
• Exploring the spiritual aspects of grief, loss, transition, crisis, trauma.
• Being with end of life concerns and encounters with mortality; exploring ways to face dying with intentionality and consciousness.
• Exploring paradox and mystery, and the practice of radical acceptance.