“The goal of spiritual direction is spiritual formation—the ever-increasing capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart.” -Henri Nouwen
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is letting a companion walk alongside you as you grow into your spiritual life. Your companion does not have the answers. They are there to bear witness to what God is doing in you, how much Jesus loves you, and how the Spirit is calling you. Spiritual direction isn’t receiving spiritual directions and answers. Spiritual direction is about helping you orient yourself in the direction of the divine.
How do I know if you’re a good spiritual director for me?
Spiritual direction is personal, and not all spiritual directors are for everyone. It’s important to find a spiritual director that you feel safe and connect with. I’d suggest reading over my statements of belief and seeing if they resonate with you. Then, we can have a conversation and see if we’re a good fit for each other.
What if I’m unsure of my faith?
Spiritual direction isn’t about certainty. It’s not about having or even finding answers. Spiritual direction is about helping you see God in the world around you, and in yourself. This can lead to bigger, better questions, and that’s ok. A spiritual life isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about entering into our place in the mysterious work God is doing to bring about new creation. Uncertainty is to be celebrated because it’s what opens us to new possibilities.
Why do I need a spiritual director?
Spiritual direction isn’t something everyone needs. But for some people, having a soul companion to help them see Jesus with more clarity helps them grow in their spiritual life. Spiritual directors aren’t magic gurus. They are people who, full of prayer, walk beside you as you grow, explore, question, and come to see God in new ways.
Aaron is a writer, a theologian, and spiritual director who draws from the traditions of Christian desert mothers and fathers (patristics) and Christian mysticism. He has been deconstructing and reconstructing his faith for over twenty years, and believes that faith is a process, not a set of certainties.
When approaching spiritual direction, Aaron doesn’t believe he has answers to offer, but rather offers a presence and the ability to hold space for what a person is going through as the Spirit does her work in their life.
Feel free to explore his statement of beliefs and his writings at The Book of Common Words.
Questions about spiritual direction with me?
Let’s start a conversation and see where it takes us.