What is Spiritual Direction?
When I first heard the term “spiritual direction”, I felt put off. It sounds like agreeing to a relationship in which someone tells you what to do with your spirituality. Isn’t there enough of that in the world? And haven’t such systems faltered under the weight of hierarchical power structures? Even in their absence we find far too many examples of individuals gone rogue, posing as teachers, gurus or worse. No thanks. That’s why, much to my surprise, I am currently enrolled in a Spiritual Direction program. Halfway through, in fact. How did this happen? It was a convergence of three different paths. Let me explain.
What it is Not
Some brief clarification: Most spiritual directors share my disdain for that term. “It’s more like ‘spiritual companioning’”, I’ve heard them say. What this means (in its ideal form) is a professional who holds space for spiritual questing, suffering, loss and growth without an agenda, script or dogmatic protocol. It is not confession, repentance, supervision, or sermonizing. Now that sounds more like it. So how does that apply to my professional work at Salt City Bodyworks?
Not All Suffering Comes from Trauma
First, I’m increasingly aware that not all suffering comes from unresolved trauma. This isn’t news. In recent years, however, I have seen it more and “more in my private practice. Many of my clients suffer loss, isolation, betrayal or sudden growth and there isn’t anything to be “done” about it. In other words, the pain inherent in these experiences is simply because they are painful. What makes the suffering bearable (or even meaningful) is when it’s presenced by another individual. Historically, clergy have filled that role. But in an ever more secular world, people turn to professionals for this support. Spiritual directors are chief among them.
Post Traumatic Growth
Second, a good portion of my clients are in the “post traumatic growth” stage of their trauma healing. What is that? Post traumatic growth is “positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with trauma or highly challenging situations”. These changes aren’t just psychological—they are social, physiological and spiritual, too. With training in spiritual direction, I can offer better support where spiritual growth is concerned.
Limitations of a Purely Somatic Approach
Finally, I recently experienced some traumatic events for which somatic support was only partially helpful. Admitting this brought me to an uncomfortable edge for obvious reasons. Part of that realization included a sense that returning to my spiritual roots would bring additional healing. But with a personal history marked by religious trauma, this would be no small undertaking. Spiritual direction training is in part for professional reasons, to be sure. It is also clear that I am hoping for personal benefit as well. With another year left in my training, I await to see the opportunities it brings to both.
Is Spiritual Support for Everyone?
What about atheist or agnostic clients? Is spiritual direction optional in somatic trauma healing? Is it non-denominational? Salt City Bodyworks offers services to people along a broad spectrum of worldviews and spiritual orientation. Spiritual support and exploration are available for those clients who choose it. To learn more about which approach is right for you, click here to schedule a consultation