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READERS RESPOND

Letters to the Editor Short Takes
Dear Editor: An Interview with Eve Ilsen
As a spiritual director, based in New Zealand, I find Ilsen’s breadth of life experience and depth of perspec-
your advertisements invaluable. I get a sense of what’s tive was appreciated…. Learned very little about spiritual
out there for me to grow in my ministry and such are the direction and divine guidance, and too much about one
choices that I also gain an insight into the breadth and person’s interests…. Helpful guide—sensitive, real,
depth of what I am doing. humble and poetic approach to spiritual direction and
Also, I use your reviews as a source for my reading and companionship…. Excellent interview; like being in the
the eclectic mix enables me to deepen my own spiritual presence of this spiritual light. Topics ran the gamut from
journey. I have just ordered three books and the Inquiry biography to practical guidance, yet the piece flowed
Cards from the June 2014 Presence! gracefully.… Didn’t find myself very much in tune with
Your articles make for amazing reading as well. Many this interview, but can see that it was full of wisdom….
thanks. So enriching to experience a new insight from the
Susan Chrisp Hebrew tradition; found the exploration of shame espe-
New Zealand cially valid…. Would have appreciated if she had applied
her approach to spiritual direction…. Very interesting
Dear Editor: and informative. Enjoyed the style of writing…. Deeply
I am writing in response to Laura Thor’s article, “Living moving, touched my heart with gratitude….
in the Image of God: Transgender People in Spiritual
Direction. (Presence, December 2013). Many people The Addicted Pilgrim
who are engaged in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Essential read for spiritual directors and seekers.
Transgender) ministry are really not well educated on the Mindfulness of our addictions is the first step towards the
“B” and “T” of the acronym, with the “T” being especially sacred.... Had some difficulty with the imagery of the car-
challenging and worthy of much prayerful and earnest ousel, but still found the idea of the “core wounds that lie
education. I am certainly one who has much to learn, and at the very centre…as unique to us as our fingerprints” to
this very rich article provides much guidance, enlighten- be very powerful; likewise with the “pilgrim(age) into this
ment, and references. One of the most profound lines heart of darkness.”… Important to be reminded about
of thought within this writing deals with spiritual direc- addictions—any way of telling when as a director I have
tors serving as “God’s assistant midwives” to transgender reached the core pain? How do addictive compulsions
people, in which we “aim to cultivate within our spiri- serve as surrogate relationships?… Extremely helpful—
tual directee the capacity to sit in awe of what cannot be both for me as a spiritual director and an addict!...
understood except in God’s time to unveil it … [in] which
God will birth seekers into their intended identity.” I real- Nurturing Healing Emotions in Spiritual Direction
ize that this is very precious, tender ground on which we Enjoyed this piece…. Appreciate the acknowledge-
trod with transgender directees, so I am very appreciative ment that so-called “negative” emotions are part of the
of the work that people such as Laura Thor are doing. human experience and therefore part of our listening
Bradley A. Leger, PhD in spiritual direction. The presentation of certain “posi-
Estherwood, Louisiana, USA tive” emotions as part of wholeness and healing through
spiritual direction is thoughtful and helpful…. Never
Dear Editor: realized how deeply self-compassion fits in with the posi-
Bruce Tallman’s article in the March 2014 issue of tive interaction between the emotions of the soul and the
Presence was a disturbing piece of journalism for one who contemplations of the spirit. Sometimes religion treats
is, by choice, part of the 97 percent of spiritual directors self-compassion as a weakness to be conquered…. Strong

(LETTER TO THE EDITOR CONTINUED ON PAGE 60) (READERS RESPOND CONTINUED ON PAGE 61)

4 Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction