#Spiritual Direction
Quotes about spiritual-direction
Spiritual direction is a profound journey of self-discovery and inner growth, guiding individuals toward a deeper understanding of their spiritual path. This concept represents the pursuit of clarity and purpose, often sought by those yearning for a more meaningful connection with their inner selves and the world around them. At its core, spiritual direction is about seeking guidance and wisdom, whether through meditation, prayer, or reflective practices, to navigate life's complexities with grace and insight.
People are drawn to quotes about spiritual direction because they offer succinct, powerful insights that resonate on a personal level. These quotes serve as beacons of light, providing comfort and inspiration during times of uncertainty or transition. They encapsulate timeless wisdom, encouraging individuals to explore their beliefs, values, and the essence of their being. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, spiritual direction quotes remind us of the importance of introspection and the pursuit of inner peace. They inspire us to listen to our inner voice, trust our intuition, and embark on a journey toward spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment.
...the wisdom of spiritual direction is precisely that we refuse to stand between God and the person who so needs to hear God for himself, for herself.
We cannot judge our prayer...by how we feel when we pray, but rather by how we are loving when we live.
The Mystery we call God is just that - mystery; not mystery in the sense of an unknown, but eventually knowable, stranger, but mystery in the sense that God is too rich, too deep, and too loving to be knowable and is, therefore, God. Spiritual directors can be only helping companions to those who travel the way of such a God.
Some knowledge of the diversity of Christian religious experience and a sympathetic awareness of of non-Christian religious experience can help directors transcend their personal absolutes and open them to a greater sense of wonder toward the manifold experience of people with God.
It is easy to mislead people into thinking that they can move themselves to the next stage by just ... setting their mind to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The journey of faith is our personal journey, and movement on the journey is the place of mystery, holy ground. Moving from one stage to another reverences timing. It involves bringing our response in sync with God's grace in our lives. God does not make us move. God's grace allows us to move.
Spiritual direction, therefore, explicitly acknowledges what is often only implicit in other forms of pastoral care: that the directees' desire for more life, more integration, more union with God is grounded in the indwelling Spirit and that God is an active Other in the relationship. The working alliance is thus grounded in mystery and explicitly acknowledges that the way, too, is mystery.
...the Christian life in its fullness is far more than being active in a Christian community, affirming a certain set of beliefs or adopting a particular behavior pattern. These are a secondary result of the primary reality of a life engaged in an ever deepening union with God in love.
In the unfixables of our lives we are invited to keep company with Jesus and take a risk that God's intentions toward us are good. Day after day this is what Jesus did. It is called trust. He calls us: 'Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:30, MSG)
...good listeners have a humble perspective. Humility in listening means that we let go of preconceived opinions, we let go of the need to be right, we let go of our own insecurities, and we let go of the need to appear wise, good or spiritual. In short, we let go of ourselves in order to be present to the other. This is a high calling and a commitment we will need to return to again and again.
The purpose of spiritual direction groups is formation. Spiritual formation is "a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others." The intentional goal of group spiritual direction is to help each participant become more aware of God in their lives, for the sake of others.