Spiritual Direction

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?

When was the last time you had a wellness exam, took your car in for a tune-up, or weeded and watered your garden?

It's likely you're involved in many routine maintenance tasks that keep your life running, and you probably don't think deeply about most of them.

How frequently do you pause to ask for help in caring for your soul?

While there are a few true hermits among us, most humans seem wired to seek relationship and community. Your spiritual path is your spiritual path, yet you are not meant to walk it alone or on auto-pilot (nor by seeking out the faux friendship of soulless machines programmed to mimic human connection).

Spiritual direction is an ancient tool for intentionally seeking God's presence with the guidance and companionship of another person.

This can be helpful in any season of life, but perhaps especially so if you feel alone, confused, lost, or otherwise overwhelmed by the twists and turns of the path you are walking.

Though "spiritual direction" is the term that has been classically used throughout Christian history, more descriptive modern terms could be spiritual companionship, holy listening, soul shepherding, or soul-care friendship.

A spiritual director does not "direct" in a prescribed way nor hold authority over a directee, but rather walks alongside, becoming another set of eyes to witness the presence of God in the specific context of your life.

Some metaphors that can help describe a spiritual director:

• a birding companion who quietly says "look over there" when something interesting wings into view
• a trekking guide who can walk with you on an unfamiliar path and offer a hand of support in rugged or slippery spots
• a midwife or doula assisting as you labor to birth something new

As a spiritual director, I am trained to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and hold a non-anxious, judgment-free, confidential space as we seek God together. There is no curriculum, there is generally no "homework" assigned or advice given, and the focus is not on problem-solving or transferring knowledge.

The focus, rather, is on slowing down, opening the door to the inner world, and together intentionally attending to the God who is always present with us.

PREPARING FOR A SESSION

We live in a distraction-rich environment and are constantly tempted to multitask; deliberately taking time apart from the unending demands of life is a crucial component of spiritual direction. Prioritize your spiritual practice by scheduling your session for a time slot when you are not involved in other tasks (such as driving or childcare) and can be fully present in a private space where you can engage deeply. If we are meeting by videoconference, plan to enable both your camera and microphone.

DURING A SESSION

There is no scripted agenda for spiritual direction. Your hour with me is yours, and it will be shaped to fit the needs of your soul as we welcome the Spirit together.

You may come to direction with specific questions about your spiritual life, a desire to learn new spiritual practices, or a wish to focus on an experience you had and need to process. You may have nothing quite so defined to bring, but simply a sense of restlessness and a need for the reassurance of not being alone on your path.

Some directees will prefer to talk through things at length and feel heard, while others come seeking contemplative silence and want to rest safely in quiet companionship.

Some people take notes and ask for structure and accountability as they give themselves homework, while others (especially ministers and nonprofit leaders!) find joy and relief at being in a laid-back spiritual space where they can be ministered to rather than doing the ministering.

Sometimes a session includes breakthroughs and insights, tears or laughter, sometimes a session feels like an ordinary conversation. God meets us in myriad ways and all of these outcomes are normal and welcome.

WHEN, WHERE, AND FOR HOW LONG

I am available to meet with individuals online by video conference or in person in Navarro County, Texas. Initial sessions are always held online. Cadence can vary based on need and circumstance, but direction sessions typically occur monthly (or so) for about an hour (or so). Your time with me is private; I take notes with pen and paper but otherwise, sessions are never recorded or digitally transcribed.

Spiritual direction is a way to discern where God is already at work in our context and who we are uniquely called to be in that place. While some may have sudden "Road to Damascus" experiences, for most this discovery of God's guidance is not a rapid or linear process, but rather the slow, transformative work of the Spirit over time. To honor this gradual unfolding, I suggest after a free introductory session that directees commit to at least six more monthly sessions, and sessions thereafter can be spaced as far apart as quarterly.

Group spiritual direction is also available; email to inquire about joining an upcoming cohort.

IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?

I follow Jesus in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition and assent to the historic creeds of Christianity. I received my training in Listening People to Life through Kairos University.

Spiritual direction, by definition, is predicated upon a shared belief in the existence of a Divine Spirit who is actively involved in our human lives. You need not be a Christian to work with me; I am available to walk with directees of any (or no) faith background on whatever pilgrimage they find themselves walking. Doubters are welcome, but spiritual direction is probably not suitable for avowed atheists.

Particular expressions of my calling in spiritual direction include:

• Helping the helpers (caring for the souls of ministers, nonprofit leaders, others in "emotionally expensive" professions)
• Seeking God's promised companionship in brokenness and grief (such as infertility, divorce, chronic illness)
• Maintaining spiritual health and integrity while living in "unprecedented times"
• Unpacking one's theology and God-image, especially after experiences of high-demand religion
• "Deconstruction," whatever this means to you
• Navigating the transition from first half of life to the second
• "Where was God when..."

We each contain multitudes. Therefore, sessions can touch on any area of life that a directee wishes to discuss, but spiritual direction is not a replacement for appropriate psychological or psychiatric support, career coaching or mentorship, or a Twelve Step-style sponsor relationship. If it becomes necessary, referrals will be made to a helping professional more appropriate to the situation whose expertise may be sought alongside (or instead) of spiritual direction.

A word about privacy: I practice strict confidentiality of any information shared with me in spiritual direction, with the exception of danger of physical harm to yourself or others, as I am mandated by my code of ethics to involve the relevant protective services.

This site is © Path of Life Services LLC. Nothing on this site may be used for training artificial intelligence (AI) or Large Language Models (LLMs). Unless otherwise attributed, Toni Gatlin is the sole author of all text on this site; no generative AI tools have been nor ever will knowingly be used on this site or in any related email publication.