“No matter how much light I carry within me, there will always be times of feeling lost, being confused, seeking direction. It is the way of the human heart.” - Joyce Rupp
No one is an island and everyone from time to time need a companion or a guide to share the load of life. Spiritual direction is also known as “soul friendship”.
This is a relationship designed to support you as you pay attention. explore, discern and follow the invitations of your own soul. Of course, this can include listening deeply to the presence of the Divine (God/Spirit/Source) in their life.
The director doesn't actually do much "directing", but rather, helps you direct your attention.
The spiritual direction relationship is often compared to the relationship a midwife has to a pregnant mother giving birth. The director is a companion, an encourager, and a gentle listening guide, working with you and bearing witness to the pushes and pulls within. The director knows they are not the one doing the “birthing” , but is a companion to the one who is.
A spiritual director is a person who has experience in the spiritual journey, is willing to be a companion and has been trained as a supportive guide.
People often seek out a spiritual director when they are wanting to deepen their relationship with that which is most important, holy, and sacred about life. Sometimes this begins with a felt “crisis”, while other times it is simply coming from a desire to go deeper. The practice of paying attention continues, even when things seem to be “going smoothly”. Tuning into one’s spiritual life month over month, regardless of what’s going on is an important way to notice the presence of your Self, the flow of Life, and how Spirit is moving.
Whether you have been a person of faith for a long time, are in a season of doubt, deconstruction & disorientation, coming into a brand new awareness of the Divine in your life, or you don’t really resonate with “God language” , regardless of tradition or creed, a spiritual direction can be a valuable support for your spiritual path in becoming more deeply human.
Spiritual Direction is a spiritual practice. And, practices don’t make us perfect, but simply present to what is.
Christa has roots in the Christian tradition, and many of her clients have some religious background - whether they identify as committed or deconstructing, Protestant or Catholic, traditional or progressive, content or disillusioned alike. Her theological education combined with her intensive trainings with the Enneagram, Internal Family Systems and Yoga uniquely equip her as a director who understands the wholeness of a person and supports others in body, heart, and mind.
Spiritual direction is not counseling or formal therapy, and should not replace these important modalities. To learn more about Spiritual Direction, check out Spiritual Direction International
What to expect in a typical session:
We engage in silence, active listening, and a prayerful posture throughout the session.
Often the session begins with a grounding and centering practice - the first chance a person may have to take a deep breath in their day!
The directee will be prepared to share what they want to bring to the session - it may be a thought, a question, a concern, a prayer, a pain, as it relates to their life and in particular, their spiritual life.
The director will listen deeply, echo back, ask thoughtful questions, address assumptions and limiting narratives, and provide gentle support in service to the person’s soul journey.
The session may include a conversation around your Enneagram Type if the client is interested. Christa has completed the intensive coaching program with the Narrative Enneagram, specializing in using it in spiritual direction
Christa is also an certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed practicioner and our sessions may include this IFS modality if you desire.
A session may also include engaging in contemplative practices to support the person’s relationship with, and to the Divine.
Often a resource (poem, prayer, article, reflective prompts) will be provided that can be used in between sessions (usually 4-7 weeks) as the directee desires
Note: Christa prioritizes human connection and the sacred & natural ebb and flow of conversation in sessions. Therefore, recording, or use of AI notes/annotation is not used by Christa, and not permitted to be used by clients in our sessions.
"Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director — the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul. -Thomas Merton
*Connection Agreement
1. Spiritual direction is not therapy, counseling, mental health care, or treatment for substance abuse. The director is not functioning as a licensed mental health professional and spiritual direction is not intended as a replacement for counseling, psychiatric interventions, treatment for mental illness, recovery from past abuse, professional medical advice, financial assistance, legal counsel, or other professional services.
2. Spiritual Direction is for people who hold a measure of emotionally health, function relatively effectively, and want to pay attention to their spiritual life in a consistent and regular way.
3. Spiritual Direction can be an on-going relationship for many months and often years, although either person can bring the relationship to an end at any time. This is a spiritual practice, and not simply one or two meetings when someone is experiencing a spiritual crisis. If you are looking for a brief companioned relationship, please consider coaching with Christa.
4. Spiritual Direction can and may involve periods of extended silence, prayer, listening, values clarification, identifying plans of action, accountability, examining lifestyle, and questioning currently held beliefs. Christa is also trained in using the Enneagram and Internal Family Systems.
5. Spiritual Direction is most effective when both parties are honest and straightforward in their communication.
6. Spiritual Direction is a confidential relationship and the director agrees to keep all information strictly confidential, except in those situations in which such confidentiality would violate the law or could jeopardize the safety of the client or others. Christa is required to report suspected cases of child or elder abuse. Also, professional ethics regarding confidentiality require spiritual directors to report imminent self-endangerment (suicide) or harm to others.
7. There will be no predetermined length of commitment. While the director-directee relationship between you and Christa may last many months and years, there is no binding obligation to continue sessions if either person doesn't believe it is a correct fit. We both agree to have one final meeting together to honour and bring the formal relationship to a close.
8. Each meeting will last approximately 50-60 minutes. Each meeting will be scheduled approximately 4-7 weeks apart, initially. All efforts will be made to accommodate each other’s schedules. Each person agrees to inform the other of the need to cancel an appointment. Except in unusual circumstances, this cancellation will be given no less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment or the session fee will be charged.
9. The session fee is payable in advance of each session by e-transfer, cheque, or credit card (for people living outside of Canada).
10. Christa prioritizes human connection and the sacred & natural ebb and flow of conversation in sessions. Therefore, recording, or use of AI notes/annotation is not used by Christa, and not permitted to be used by clients in our sessions.
