Page 1 - 2020 April Listen - 14-2

A SEEKER’S
RESOURCE
FOR
SPIRITUAL Listen
DIRECTION
APRIL 2020 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
ASCENDING THE MOUNTAIN:
DIMENSIONS OF SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP
Spiritual companions and directors are fortunate to
accompany those who seek our aid as they unspool
and discern their own unique sense of God, the
Universe, or however they might refer to the essence
of all. We are like mountain guides facilitating the
ascent, reinforcing the growing skills of our coun-
terparts, as well as appreciating the transcendent
scenery from the top, which is different for each of
us, even when we are right next to each other.
But what exactly are the skills that we bring to
bear?
A couple of years ago, an SDI committee conclud-
ed its work on a “Portrait of a Spiritual Director,”
the latest in an ongoing set of iterations where we
consider the universal distinguishing hallmarks of
spiritual companions, independently of our faith
traditions or spiritual orientations.
In the last couple of months I have had the opportu- •
nity to engage in a couple of deep dives allowing me
to more thoroughly consider some other characteris-
tics, but before embarking on those, let us recap the
by now familiar ones, which encompass:
• Deep listening. Which is not a passive act, but
rather a profound and supportive engagement
with the people we companion;
• Contemplative grounding. A prayerful, medita-
tive, immersive approach. One that acknowledg-
es that in order to access the Beyond, we must
use channels beyond our rationality. And that
we need to keep going back, over and over, to
that wellspring;
• Good discernment. We are intuitives, and quiet
guides. We provide reasoned feedback (only
when asked!), and we also try to evince balance
and equanimity at all times.
• Accountable. To ourselves, to the communities
we serve, and to our supervisors, who help keep
us honest.
• Lifelong learners. We are committed to con-
stantly learning (sometimes the same lessons,
again and again, until they finally sink in).
Respect agency. We honour the unique charac-
ter of each person we encounter, and we try to
leave our own predilections and inclinations to
the side, even when doing so is difficult, to allow
our companions to find their own way through.
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