Spiritual Direction - What is it?
Are you looking for someone to companion you in your spiritual life? A spiritual director isn’t someone who “directs” you as much as supports you as you “direct your own attention”. The director acts as a companion, and is a person who has experience paying attention to their own spiritual journey. Certified directors are trained and willing to come alongside anyone who is looking to open towards, explore, discern and follow the invitations of their soul. Of course, this can include listening deeply to the presence of the Divine (God/Spirit/Source) in their life.
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.
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.
Spiritual Direction is a spiritual practice. And, practices don’t make us perfect, but simply present to what is.
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.
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.
If you are interested in learning more about, or entering a relationship with a spiritual director, please use the contact form below. All responses are kept in strict confidence. We want to find you a great-fit spiritual director.
If you are specifically looking to have Christa Hesselink as your director, you are also invited to fill in this form below.
All are affirmed & welcome.
Regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental ability,
SoulPlay endeavors to create a safe space to support your soul’s journey in all its fullness.
Please note: Christa will return your email within 72 hours after receiving your inquiry. If you haven’t heard from her, please check your junk/spam folder.
Christa Hesselink has been guiding individuals and groups as they dig deeper into their spiritual life for over thirty years. Christa is a certified coach, certified yoga instructor, and certified spiritual director with the Haden Institute which is rooted in the Christian tradition. She has also completed the intensive 200-Hour coaching program with the Narrative Enneagram, a “school of distinction” in the Enneagram tradition, and she is a certified IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed practicioner.
She was in pastoral ministry for over ten years, holds a Master’s of Leadership, and a Master’s of Theology degree, and is a well-respected speaker, workshop facilitator, and retreat leader.
Christa is a member of Spiritual Directors International.
