Spiritual Direction
last updated on: 30th Mar 2011
The Christian life is a journey about the transformation that occurs as we grow into the image of Christ. Some threads of that change are:
- from not knowing myself, to knowing myself
- from fragmentation, to wholeness
- from being directionless, to finding an inner compass
- from being alienated from love, to being enfolded in love
- from being ego-centred, to being Christ-centred
The transformation on the journey can cover many areas:
- developing a healthy personality and good relationships
- plumbing the depths of life
- finding God in stillness
- staying with God in stressful times
- deepening our integrity
- getting to know and accept our past
- travelling through anguish or boredom or despair to a light beyond
- understanding more of God
- preparing for eternal life
The journey of life is full of troughs as well as triumphs. For some people, at times life seems to be a cul-de-sac or a downward spiral. We can get stuck in our faith, unable to progress or sense God in our life. We look for spiritual direction…
What is Spiritual Direction?
In order to find and remain on a route that takes us towards wholeness in God, we may find it helpful to have people to accompany us who have experience of this journey. In the Christian tradition, there has been a history of ‘Spiritual Direction’ (some people use the terms Spiritual Accompaniment, or Journeying).
The spiritual director is one who accompanies another on their journey, helping the other to gain spiritual insight into their life. The director is someone who will listen to you and listen to God, and will try to help you grow in understanding of the Christian journey.
People may see their Spiritual Director as frequently as once a month, or as infrequently as once a year. They will spend an hour or so with them, reflecting on their life and its ups, downs, problems and joys, and where God might fit into it. There will be a particular interest in the life of prayer.
The director is not a counsellor, although some counselling skills are used. He or she is essentially a listener – listening to the seeker and listening to God, and sharing spiritual discernment to help the seeker grow in understanding of themselves and their relationship with God and others.
Looking for a Spiritual Director
If you want to enquire about finding a Spiritual Director, please contact:
Revd Tim Blewett
The Warden
Launde Abbey
East Norton
LEICESTER
LE7 9XB
T: 01572 717254
Costs
There is usually no charge asked for Spiritual Direction offered through the Diocese of Leicester. If you would like to make a donation we invite you to do so either to the parish or church of your director or to a fund which is used for the on-going training of Spiritual Directors and for some supervision costs. If you wish to contribute to the latter fund, please send your gift to the Diocesan Board of Finance, Church House, St. Martin’s. Leicester LE1 5FX, with cheques payable to ‘Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance’. Please clearly earmark any gift for SPIDIR. Thank you.
Sacramental Confession
Sacramental Confession is also offered by a number of priests in the diocese and the Spirituality Core Group maintains a list.
Quiet Days and Retreats
There are a number of places in Leicester Diocese and surrounds where quiet for prayer and reflection can be found, either on your own or as part of a led retreat, or to take a group to. Contact the Spirituality Core Group or Launde Abbey for further details, or look in the ‘Retreats’ magazine.
Diocesan Retreat House
Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leics LE7 9XB
T: 01572 717254,
web: www.launde.org.uk
Full range of facilities for individuals or groups - an excellent resource for the diocese in the depths of rural Leicestershire, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The Retreat Association
The Retreat Association produce a yearly magazine which contains details of Retreat Centres all over the country. ‘Retreats’ is available for purchase at Christian Resources, Bishop St, Leicester, and at Launde Abbey, or can be ordered direct. They also produce a series of very helpful leaflets, which can be downloaded from their website or obtained by mail.
For information contact:
The Retreat Association, The Central Hall
256 Bermondsey Street London SEl 3UJ
T: 020 7357 7736
F: 020 7357 7724
F: 020 7357 7724
Contemplative Prayer
Silent, contemplative or meditative prayer is for those who wish to deepen their awareness of God in silence, individually or in a group. There are numerous different traditions and ways of praying based on different teachings. Each has its own strengths and its own writings which give guidance in that method, but the essential element, as in any prayer, is actually getting down to it!
Silent, contemplative or meditative prayer is for those who wish to deepen their awareness of God in silence, individually or in a group. There are numerous different traditions and ways of praying based on different teachings. Each has its own strengths and its own writings which give guidance in that method, but the essential element, as in any prayer, is actually getting down to it!
Spirituality Core Group Aim
The Spirituality Core Group exists to support parishes and congregations in Leicester Diocese and ecumenically in the nurture of their spiritual life, in the recognition that this is at the heart of parish and Diocesan life and essential to the mission of the Church.
Contact
The members of the Spirituality Core Group are (at March 2011):
- Revd Tim Blewett, Launde Abbey, 01572 717254
- Revd Mike Harrison, St Martins House, 0116 261 5200
- Valerie Joyce, 0116 230 3958
- Gillean Russell, 0116 274 5424
Please contact one of them for more information about anything in this leaflet
‘Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you’
