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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Center for Spiritual Development
The Center
for Spiritual Development views the ministry of spiritual direction as
a key component to fulfilling its mission. CSD is a leader in spiritual
direction in the Southern California region by employing several spiritual
directors, assisting those seeking the ministry, training new spiritual
directors and providing ongoing support for those involved in the ministry.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about spiritual direction.
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is a ministry deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. Most fundamentally, the goal of spiritual direction is to help you become more aware of God's presence in your life and to make life decisions in fidelity to that awareness. Through the guidance of a trained spiritual director, this ministry can help you clarify, articulate and affirm your spiritual experience as revealed through all the situations and events in your life. This is done by providing a loving, open environment, giving support and feedback, and being a listener and companion for your journey. Spiritual direction is not psychotherapy or counseling, but utilizes the many skills of counseling.
Is This Something New?
No, in fact it is very old. Spiritual direction is an ancient art that dates back to the early Christian church. In the first centuries of Christianity, people went to the desert to seek spiritual guidance from the holy men and women living there. The term "spiritual direction" became common in the middle ages. Today it is often a more formalized ministry in many Christian faith traditions.
What Happens in a Session?
Often the session will begin with a few minutes of prayer or silence. Generally, the director listens in an open, prayerful environment to the directee's sharing about what is going on in their life. The time together is set aside for a growth in awareness of anything that is occurring in the person's life that has helped or hindered their relationship with God. The director acts as a supportive companion who allows the seeker to look honestly at their relationship with God as it is lived out in their everyday life and relationships. The emphasis is on openness, honesty, awareness, and affirmation of God's mysterious presence in our ordinary lives. The presence, action and guidance of the Holy Spirit is what is most deeply sought in each session.
How Often does Spiritual Direction Occur?
Sessions are generally fifty minutes in length and occur in varying frequency. About once a month is common for time between meetings, although the first few meetings may be more frequent to allow the director and directee to get to know each other.
Is There a Fee?
There is
no set fee for spiritual direction. CSD does ask those involved in this
ministry to make a donation in support of this ministry and those who
share their time in this manner. A suggested (and much appreciated) donation
is $25-$35 for an individual direction session. If this is a hardship
for you, give what you are able. Do not allow finances to deprive you
of this valuable support.
About Spiritual
Direction Training
For more information about the certificate in Spiritual Direction program, please go to "Printable Brochures" on the home page of this site, or contact Margaret Scharf, OP at mscharf@csjorange.org. New data will come later, at month end.
Spiritual
Direction Training
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the connection with Loyola Marymount University mean?
How much work is involved in the program?
Why
do you require that a person be in regular and on-going spiritual direction
for at least two years?
This is the most important and challenging question of all. Many of us
have the deepest desire to be of service to others in our world. The ways
that this can happen are many and varied; from pastoral care, counseling,
CPE, ordained ministry, various therapeutic schools, healing ministries,
to volunteer services in parishes, congregations, communities and temples.
In many of these ministries it is required that people get the appropriate
training in order to best serve the community. Spiritual
Direction, as a ministry, is by its very nature a contemplative ministry;
the ability to hear another's sacred story and to be open continuously
to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, both in the life of the directee
and the director. Unlike any other ministry, one cannot consider being
a spiritual director without first being intentional about one's own spiritual
life. This means entering into the discipline of prayer, contemplation,
spiritual reading, and spiritual direction - the regular, intentional
connecting with another designated spiritual director, in order to be
accountable to another for the daily gifts from God.
FAQ
Would seeing my close friend, with whom I have deep conversations about God and life, be considered spiritual direction?
In essence, no. This person is not your spiritual director, but a friend. This would be like blurring the boundaries, or trying to wear two different "hats" at the same time. There are times when the topic of conversation is related to your close friend, and the other person as spiritual director is there as an objective, contemplative listener.
The role
of spiritual director is that of a professional, for whom the ethical
boundaries between director and directee are clearly delineated.
FAQ
When
are classes?
One Saturday per month, from September through June, with two gatherings
in June (11 classes per year). A different Saturday is allocated for each
year. This is a three-year commitment.
FAQ
What
does the connection with Loyola Marymount University mean?
The Art of Spiritual Direction program offered by the faculty as CSD is
now a recognized program of the Extension Service of the Center for Religion
and Spirituality at LMU/LA. The University awards the students with 18
semester hours of continuing education units (c.e.u's) which may be transferable
to another similar program at LMU/LA in the future. Both institutions
will award a Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction.
You are required to complete the assignments, both reading and written,
be present at all classes and participate in the varied processes in order
to be graded for the assessment in the program.
You have access to both the Loyola Marymount University and Saint Joseph College Libraries.
WARNING:
Being awarded the Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction does not
make you a spiritual director. It is a piece of paper that tells the public
you have completed the program. Whether or not you will be a spiritual
director is in the hands of God. The Art of Spiritual Direction Program
at CSD is designed to assist a person in enhancing and developing skills
they already have. These people know - through the depth of their own
prayer life, in consultation discernment with their own spiritual director,
and the fact that they are already intentionally companioning someone
on their spiritual journey - that they have been called by God to this
ministry for the people of God. This program does not pretend to make
you a spiritual director.
FAQ
What are the costs involved?
Fee: $1000 per year.
You must send a non-refundable deposit of $100 upon application into the
program. After the interview with faculty and acceptance, you will then
be required to pay the balance of $900.
Payments
can be made in two ways:
1. Up front: $900 on the first day of classes, or
2. During the year: in January ($300), March ($300) and June ($300).
FAQ
How much work is involved in the program?
There are different activities for assessment each year. There will be
articles to read in preparation for the upcoming class, critical reviews
on articles to be written, reflection papers written on text books (3
per year) and reflection papers on classes.
By Year Three,
you will be "intern" spiritual directors, having at least two
of your own directees, for which you will be meeting with your mentor
for supervision each month. You will also be required to write a research
paper of 15-20 pages on a topic of your choice related to the art of spiritual
direction. You will also be in mentoring groups in Years Two and Three.
FAQ
What
do you mean by "mentoring groups"?
You will already have been meeting in small groups in the first year of
the program, but by Year 2, you will actually be assigned to a mentoring
group for the duration of Years Two and Three. These groups, typically,
are made up of six students and a faculty member who acts as mentor for
the group. These people are often adjunct faculty.
FAQ
What
do I need to do to apply?
Call the Center for Spiritual Development and ask for an application to
the mailed. You can also download this brochure from the website.
You are required
to send
1. An autobiography of no more than 2 pages (typed, double-spaced).
a) Focus on your spiritual life/journey. Who were some key figures for
you as you grew up?
b) How do you nourish your spiritual life?
c) Which faith community do you belong to?
d) What have you noticed about your journey that has brought you to the
discerning admission into the type of program?
2. 2 Letters
of recommendation
a) One of these must be from your spiritual director.
b) The other is to be from your pastor, rabbi, major superior, ... someone
who can comment on your spiritual journey and recommend that you be admitted.
3. Enclose
a non-refundable deposit of $100 with your application.
FAQ
Center for Spiritual Development
434 S. Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92868-3907
(714)744-3175 | (714)744-3176 fax | csdinfo@csjorange.org