What is Spiritual Companioning?

Let’s start with the term “spiritual”. Human nature includes body, mind, heart, and spirit. These dimensions are all interconnected. So, in the broad sense, anything in life has the potential to be the focus of a spiritual direction session.

More specifically, our spirituality includes our relationship with God or the Divine, and with any spiritual community we may belong to. It includes all the ways we experience Divine revelation (for example, in scripture, nature, prayer, the body, and other people.) Spirituality involves the ways we find meaning in life, and our deepest values and dreams. And, of course, each of these elements bears upon the decisions we make. A spiritual director helps us explore such topics or others of the seeker’s choosing.

The companion accompanies the seeker on their journey—but it is the seeker’s journey, not the companion’s journey. Together, you notice and discuss what you encounter. The companion maintains openness and receptivity and is non-judgmental. He or she helps you to hear what God (or however you name the Sacred) and your own heart are saying. In this way, you will come to a deeper understanding of yourself and your connection with the Sacred. But the choice about which direction is right for you is always between you and the Divine/God.

Spiritual Companioning provides a number of benefits. Among other things, it will help you to:

• Identify and trust your experience of the Divine

• Integrate spirituality into your daily life

• Find meaning in hopes, struggles, losses

• Increase your sensitivity to matters of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation

• Discern and make difficult choices

• Live authentically in spiritual community