What is SpIritual DIRECTION?

spiritual Direction is the exploration of a person’s spiritual path with someone trained in deep listening.

In these sessions, we will work together to find a language that feels most comfortable for you, working within whatever spiritual tradition you call home or want to call home. For many, much of this practice is an exploratory process of finding a new spiritual home. Because of our past experiences, the task of exploring spirituality can sometimes feel daunting, but the practice of spiritual direction with a trained listener can help transform this exploration into something that is grounding and life-giving.

What spiritual DIRECTION is not

Not to be confused with counseling or therapy, spiritual direction is more of an art. Though I am a licensed therapist as well, this modality looks very different from therapy, and is centered around creating a reverent space for you to increasingly access your own deeper wisdom. There is no diagnosis, no problem-solving, no concrete goal setting. Spiritual Direction is a great companion for those already in therapy who want to prioritize a separate space to explore their spirituality.

WHO IS THIS PRACTICE FOR?

Spiritual Direction is for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual life. As a non-binary person, I love to work with queer individuals who are rediscovering their spirituality after adverse experiences in fundamentalist religious settings. It brings me a lot of joy to partner with you as you take back this part of your life and experience yourself as a deeply spiritual being connected to Divine Love. But I also love working with non-queer folks and people of all religious/spiritual backgrounds. I adapt this practice and my language to you and your unique needs.

What are Contemplative Tools?

Contemplative communities of all faiths often have more in common with each other than with people of the same religion. Mystics from these traditions have been developing practices for centuries designed to help people move deeper into connection with themselves and with the transcendent. I draw from these, along with contemplative practices developed by the queer writer, artist, and spiritual director M Freeman to help you access your own deeper wisdom. In my training with M, I stand in a long line of queer and trans spiritual practitioners who have lovingly dedicated themselves to disentangling spiritual practice from harmful legacies of patriarchy, capitalism, racism, and abuse.