Page 2 - 31-3 Connections August 2022

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The goal is to support others as they find their own And may you all find a companion to listen with you
path to wholeness. As they learn. as you find your way.

I believe the key to such life learning is contemplative Love to you all,
practice within a companionship model. Some folks Steven
think of the lone monk isolating for long periods
when they think of prayer or meditation. This PS. Please share this with at least one person you
ironically fits the modern American tendency for know. (You can download this issue as a PDF and
do-it-yourself solutions. And contemplation of any email it!)
kind is good. But it misses the community piece –
which brings the wisdom and love of contemplative Below is some background if you, - or they - would
practice into our connections with other humans like to learn more:
and all other beings.
Here is the SDI website:
I believe that the approach and skills of deep https://www.sdicompanions.org/
listening can transform all relationships. What
if each person we meet offered us a chance to Here is our Find a Spiritual Director or Compan-
give and receive hospitality? In real-time. In every ion Guide. It’s a way anyone can find a spiritual
moment. What if we could all listen each other into companion that might fit their interests – and it’s
self-discovery? What would that mean for families, free: https://www.sdicompanions.org/find-a-spiritu-
neighborhoods, communities, nations? al-director-companion/

This is an aspiration, of course. But it is also a Note: Connections is an SDI member benefit
“concrete” tool for ordinary folks who feel isolated publication, however we felt that the specific
and depleted – not just by the pandemic – but by content of this issue should be shared with a broader
their day-to-day existence. How might they bring audience, thus we are offering it to everyone for
joy, rapture, insight, fulfillment, meaning into their free!
lives?

Finding a daily practice that fits their faith – or their Steven Crandell served for
spiritual fluidity or their spiritual independence – is 5 years as SDI’s Director
key. But equally important is finding someone that of Content, guiding SDI’s
can walk beside them – someone who can accept storytelling and growing our
them as they are and also gently challenge them to community — on our website,
listen to their deepest truths. our blog, social media, in our
webinars and by supporting
In the rush of life that envelops most people these our SDI Communities program.
days, spiritual directors and spiritual companions He sees spiritual companions
are door-openers to the deepest wisdom of all – as the catalyst in an ongoing “contemplative
that which people hold in their hearts already, that revolution.” His unofficial job title was “Director of
which they can discover for themselves. Encouragement.”

Blessings to all those who read these words.

May you grant yourselves permission to make
learning your calling.

Connections | Vol. 31.3 www.sdicompanions.org Page 2