Endorsements

"Spiritual companionship is mutually nourishing. (SDI) has a tremendous sense of spaciousness...of welcome and relevance...to spiritual, religious, and political discourse. (It facilitates) a beautiful balance of deep heart and rooted intelligence."

"...in the beautiful SDI Resource called “Portrait of a Spiritual Director,” I read that a spiritual director 'recognizes varied states in directees, including mental, emotional, physical, spiritual states; noticing shifts in spiritual movements, affective moods, cognitive states; naming personal triggers, hooks, wounds.' This statement resonated deeply for me."

"Spiritual Directors International is a multi-faith, global organization that shines with the values I hold most dear: complete inclusivity, deep listening, commitment to truth, and compassion. I have had the joy and privilege of being a member for many, many years and of serving this community I love, as poetry editor and a member of the Coordinating Council."

"(SDI is) very diverse. We come from different places and different races. We have different ways of engaging our spirituality, and different ways of thinking about guiding others in their own spiritual journey and faith practices. However, there is, at least for me and I hope for them, a palpable sense of deep goodness, blessedness, and kinship in the time we spend together."

"After years of networking with leaders in my faith communities, my previous employer, and through a premium listing with SDI, I currently find myself with 40 directees."

"SDI draws upon the wisdom of many spiritual paths as it offers resources and support for the spiritual journey. Working with their staff is a blessing. Being part of the closing program at their 2019 conference and creating a Poetry podcast are two of the ways we have worked together."

"Reading SDI Presence nourishes my soul and pushes me to go deeper, to listen, and to learn from others who offer their personal and visceral experiences of healing. As a Presbyterian pastor, my membership with SDI is a feast of the diversity that I long for."

"SDI from the beginning has been open to change. This work is very intimate work. Technology can really help, and SDI is doing a lot of work through webinars and podcasts."

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“A person connected with me who said she'd tried everything to connect with God and it wasn't working. She said she didn't want to hear/use the word God or prayer. I told her I would need to use the words at times; however, I respected what she said. I asked her to pay attention to what gave her energy (happiness) in life and what took away her energy. (like doing The Examen). After several months of her sharing, which had to do with her cat named Dickens, and her physical exercise, she was seeing a pattern. She did have an unexpected physical ailment that required surgery. With all this, she went on to do the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Wow, God was the true director.”

“I am a retired United Methodist clergywoman after serving churches in my conference for 29 years. This ministry as spiritual director has long been a 'dream job' in retirement that allows me to continue ministry in a very different way. I consider it a gift to be able to sit with people, listening to their sacred story and offering hope and the presence of divine love that I hope flows through me. As I experienced spiritual direction through my own years of ministry, I am honored to be able to offer it to others now.”

“SD released me from dreaded dualism and binary theologies, it enabled me to be free to be myself and to value my gifts and abilities and to be confident in spiritual discernment.”

“My very first seeker came to me once I finished my training. Eight years later she still meets me every month, rain or shine, in person or on the phone. She finds great affirmation through spiritual direction. Her journey inspires me!”

“I do enjoy this ministry. The presence of divine energy always is palpable to me and the directees. This is a precious and awe-inspiring experience.”

“My personal spiritual directors have been very good listeners. I like to talk things out.”

“Almost allowing the flow to come from a fragility. I learn so much from the ones I am accompanying and the mistakes I know I make on the journey. Submitting to the flow of the Spirit has allowed me not to give up on myself and the gift that I might bring to the conversation. Seeing the growth and Joy in our engagement with each other is sooo fulfilling”

“In my over 28 years of doing spiritual direction I have met people form diverse background and cultures that I would not have encountered in my daily life. I served for 17 years in one nursing home/assisted living as a chaplain. Spiritual direction stood along side that ministry. The elders were grateful for the music and art, Bible explorations, and worship. The work opened me to a much larger spacious God in my life. God loves even in the difficult lives of those suffering from loss of memory and yet it was a gift to be with them in community.”

“I met with someone who came in trying to discern whether to buy a plot of land with several buildings on it. I thought, "okay, this is different." We got to a place where he could say it was really about love, for a parent who could then live with him, for his family, to have space and outdoors. Have seen pictures of all they have done to the place, and gave thanks that the mother could be there until her death. Didn't see that coming when we first met about this!”

“For me, as a long time therapist, I am relieved when I talk with my own director or interact with a directed because I can speak without fear of diagnosis and listen without having to diagnose”

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“One time I was with a young woman in the direction room when it was evident she was really ready and the Spirit was totally in control of the atmosphere. I hardly had to say a word while she shared her dark night experience. She and I both emerged from that session changed. I will never forget it, and am so grateful that she gave me her trust and was so open to God in that experience.”

“I have had many spiritual directors over my life beginning in my twenties until a couple years ago. I also moved around the country a bit necessitating changes. I appreciated having someone to share my heart or insights with or to help me see things from a different angle.”

“Opened a whole new world of joys and also of pain”

“My experience is that when we are able to quiet our nervous systems, clear our minds by sharing our joys and challenges and questions, and come to a place of center, wisdom and guidance come.”

“Every time I offer spiritual direction I feel that I am standing on sacred ground. It amazes me first how an individual is willing to open up their spiritual life and story to me, and how the Spirit will move through our conversation.”

“I consider spiritual direction to be the missing link for transformation/healing in my own life and in my spiritual community. I stumbled into it when I enrolled in a three year program that offered new ways of praying, discernment, and companionship. God took me outside of my spiritual community to heal my vision, heal my soul... me. Today, I offer this same power to those God brings my way that they may find the healing and transformation they desire.”

“Spiritual direction is a slow burn, meaning it takes time “sometimes many months“ to comprehend its power in one's life. I have noticed how, over time, the compassionate and welcoming presence of the spiritual director helps another hear their inner truth more clearly. Often this truth is about their value, goodness, beauty. But it takes time. And it is something that is practiced, returned to, because our world make it easy to be pulled out of this knowing. This is why spiritual directors have their own spiritual directors! In this way, the power of spiritual direction strikes me as participating in the dance of divine love, belonging, and acceptance.”

“Spiritual companionship is integral to my life as a missionary and religious sister. I have been previously involved in the ministry of initial formation for some years and it was during that time that I get acquainted with spiritual Direction International and frequently visited your website. After some time, I became interested to be a member and felt I benefited much from being a member as I grew in my interest in this field as I accompany young women in their vocation journey. I also realized that I have long been engaged in this ministry of listening as I accompany women and children in distress in our various shelters and residential care facilities. Journeying with the poor and indigenous peoples in the peripheries also awakened me to the appreciation that the call to listen as a spiritual companion can take place in various groups and at different contexts and ministry settings. Being able to listen from where the person is coming from offers already a lot of support and hope for those whom I have accompanied.”

“Having a teacher that knows their own divinity and one learns by transmission”

“The sheer privilege of accompanying a directee who turned up on Zoom to a session saying: I don't feel safe. After doing some emergency triage work, then being able to gently name the various sources of 'feeling unsafe'. The result was a choice to find a therapist, and know what needed to be taken there from family life, current and historic, whilst bringing aspects of spiritual abuse to our sessions. Through tears and laughter over a number of months, the joy of seeing a middle-aged person step into something of the fullness of life as an adult for the first time, accepting different ways of praying (sometimes using art and outdoor activities) and allowing the view of God to change, was truly sacred work.”

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“There was a point in my life when I felt being on a crossroad. I felt a call to religious life. I was confused. I did not know "how" to hear the voice of God then. Spiritual direction helped me become sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The sessions and discernment retreat led me to where I am now. The SD sessions helped me discover God's love for me and for everyone. The sessions taught me how to give positive regard to everyone and to our Mother Earth. It is through the power of spiritual direction that I am in my present ministry.”

“In 2018 I attended a residential retreat as part of my participation in a program in Spiritual Direction offered by Shalem Institute. On day two of the 10-day retreat, a session of Group Spiritual Direction was held. One of my advisors had volunteered to be the Directee. In front of people he did not know, my advisor spoke vulnerably about a situation in his life. Never mind theory. Never mind 'modeling'. This person revealed himself in a way that demonstrated ultimate trust in God, in the goodness of his immediate group, and his desire to be of total service to the students. He took the first step. He showed in real time how humility and trust look and sound, and how those keys make transformation possible.”

“My favorite SDI events are Eco Spirituality, Mystics, Spiritual Practices, evolution of world events as they effect the relationship of companioning. I support SDI because it is diverse and striving to represent all in our interconnected world.”

“I am quite new at current participation in SDI - though I was a member several years ago. In this newer time of membership, I am attending online events both live and recorded. I appreciated a recent event focused on Finding Your Niche in Spiritual Direction, and this week am participating in the 3-part Series on Spiritual Journaling and Deep Listening. Also beginning this week Online Group Spiritual Companionship with Roslyn G Weiner. I also greatly appreciate the articles in Presence and Listen.”

“I appreciated very much the online offerings during the pandemic and most especially at its onset when everything was yet mostly unknown. It helped me make sense of what was going on in global scale and at the same pay attention to what was happening around me within my immediate context. I am also grateful for being able to attend the Rennaissance SDI Conference in 2021 thru the full scholarship granted by the SDI and also availed the two free recorded webinars awarded to the early birds' registrants. The opportunities given me has helped me navigate the challenging times resulting from personal difficulties, mission transitions and change of contexts.”

“I attended the webinar on how to make a living as a spiritual director and it was very helpful”

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“I see beautiful coincidences in the way God works with a directee who was steeped in her own quite narrow Christian denomination. She is now reading much more widely, and learning all she can about the lives of Christian mystics.”

“I appreciate that the community is drawn from different faiths too.”

“I’ve been happy will all the courses and webinars I’ve attended.”

“Wise teachers sharing themselves and offering opportunities to refresh and grow as a spiritual director.”

“I like all SDI webinar series that help professional development focused specifically for spiritual directors/companion. I also like the annual SDI conference.”

“I really like the recorded webinars. I appreciate info in the mystics and general info on what it takes to be a good spiritual director.”

“Loved the conference but the current mysticism class is wonderful”

“I liked most webinars – Eco Spirituality, Mystics, Spiritual Practices, evolution of world events as they effect the relationship of companioning. I support SDI because it is diverse and striving to represent all in our interconnected world. Especially like small group break out opportunities.”

“Of the ones I have attended, I am loving Lucy Abbott Tucker’s current offering. I find Lucy to be wise, experienced, skillful as a teacher, and able to bring out depth that makes seemingly simple information valuable and interesting to beginner and experienced alike.”

“I have appreciated the sheer breadth of learning opportunities provided by SDI. I have been super impressed with the quality of 8 out of 9 events that I have participated in with SDI. All offerings I have engaged with have been growth points. I appreciate that the community is drawn from different faiths too.”

“Appreciate Opportunities to learn from others about the way that they offer companionship to those they work with.”

“I don’t really have a favourite type I think it depends more on the presenter. The series of Feminist Perspectives was particularly good. Attending live can sometimes be problematic due to the time difference which is why the recordings are so useful.”

“I like the annual conference. It keeps me in touch with the pulse of spiritual direction in the contemporary world, and live trainings geared towards my spiritual growth as a spiritual director.”

“Educational tools for spiritual directors: like “companioning the nervous system” which was great!”

“I like the ones that will add to the toolkit I have available to use in direction. Have especially enjoyed the offerings by Lucy Abbott Tucker.”

“I love reading your Presence magazine.”

“There is so much Wisdom in the Offerings. It’s sometimes hard to choose. My first event is the Annual SDI conference, and I was enthralled.”

“I have enjoyed the annual conferences both live and in person. I liked sessions on the enneagram.”

“Engage 2022 was a wonderful experience in learning and connecting.”

“I appreciate webinars that deal with social justice, being present in the world with a contemplative stance. Also ones that are essentially skills enhancement – things related to supervision, listening skills, etc.”

“I appreciate the offerings that help me go deeper into spiritual practices, not only for my sake, but for my companions I journey with.”

“I think SDI does an amazing job in supporting and stimulating those of us engaged in spiritual companionship.”

“Webinar topics SDI offers are from variety of fields or issues that stirs in us interest for deeper learning and seeking, inviting us to deepen our God Quest.”

“I consider SDI to be a learning space so anything that offers opportunities to learn and grow as a spiritual director.”

“I would like to see more events like the one you had Recreating a Life with Dr. Diane Mills, I liked the journaling one but it is at the same time as Lucy’s. I also like the 12-week workshops, which show commitment on both sides, it gives you time to think.”

“I have really enjoyed the courses on building a spiritual direction practice. I am VERY glad that you are now keeping all the courses that we have taken within our own login, so that we can access them “forever.””

“The SDI journey to date has broadened my understanding and insights and give me resources and book recommendations that I hope make me a more effective companion- having the balance between the more academic and the practical is helpful as well. Lucy Abbott-Tucker’s supervision course was another outstanding highlight of the last year of so”

“I love being a SDI member because of the networking and learning from other spiritual directors from a diversity of backgrounds and traditions”

“I love Presence. I am deeply committed to the work of spiritual direction and what it has to offer the world and so I want to support others who enable this work.”

“The Guidelines for Ethical Conduct, printed materials I can take to group discussions, search pages for Spiritual Directors in other areas of the US or world.”

“I like being an SDI member as it makes me feel part of a community – building relationships, especially across lines of difference (elders and younger spiritual directors, different spiritual traditions, races, geography) It’s important to me that SDI maintain its focus on spiritual companionship and not dilute that focus into spirituality in general. We have something unique to offer the world and in turn, we need resources and support.”

“I’m listed in my area so people can locate me. I refer college students and young adults who are trying to understand its importance to the SDI website. They get the technology and resources for them to explore. The SDI website could be for more than just Spiritual Directors – pastors, artists, musicians, could all benefit from the material there.”

“My main attraction to be a member is being part of this great organization. The connections and resources it offers me.”

“SDI memberships me in maintaining professional credibility, staying current with skills as a spiritual director, staying aware of where SD is going, etc.”

“I like SDI website. Having a website that is more friendly to help locate areas of interest. Discount s available for webinars or courses.”

Course:
Exploring Spiritual Companionship Across Traditions

"I was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the presenters. They were eager to share their life-worlds and their traditions."

"My sense of spiritual companioning was enriched by the diverse voices."

"As a hospital chaplain, I found the 12 weeks to be filled with ways to listen, respect, and open the door wider to pastoral presence with patients, care givers and staff."

"I appreciated so many aspects of this course and looked forward to each weekly session -- the experiential depth and felt presence of the chosen presenters, the variety of presentation styles and approaches suited to each presenter, and the general framing of the tradition as it related to spiritual direction."

"This course has given me greater confidence in my interactions with others. It has given strength to my humility in that I am more curious and more teachable than I was when I started the program."

"The 14 Hallmarks [of Spiritual Companionship] mentioned in the first session was very helpful and I have those to refer to and will review them often. Some of the presenters talked about certain activities they had their companions do during one of their meetings and I can see me suggesting those to a companion myself to help with self reflection and self discovery."

"Each presenter offered a wealth of wisdom and understanding that cultivates and deepens our appreciation of one another's traditions. A deep spirit of Hope is conveyed in this kind of sharing which is so needful in our world."

"The tone and the sincerity of the presenters. The valuable insight and information they presented that was so much more than "the facts" about their tradition. The variety of traditions that were included. The willingness to grapple with hard questions. The collegiality among the presenters. The enthusiasm."

"I believe that I have come to appreciate the richness of different faith traditions as well as the spiritual benefits of drawing from multiple traditions while remaining rooted in my own Christian faith. I will definitely be more comfortable working with folks from a variety of spiritual viewpoints. I have become more curious and interested in going deeper into my learning about other traditions. "

"So many interesting ideas and perspectives, and inspirational teachers! It was very helpful as well in clarifying what is essential to spiritual companionship, and which aspects can be more personalized according to the companion's strengths, interests and background."

"The sincere respect and openness to other ways of being/praying. Also appreciated the practical "world religions 101" feel -- i.e., explaining the beliefs and short histories of different traditions."

"This course has extended me way beyond what I have been exposed to thus far re: non-Christian traditions. I now have a whole lot more in my spiritual knapsack -- for what I can draw on when meeting with clients/patients/family members -- even as I do not expect or want to enter into these spaces with anything more than the holy spirit to guide me.... I have a better sense of how to be respectful in my responses and -- when appropriate -- questions."

"I loved how each person prayed us in. And I loved the content of the last session, really digging into the issues of authenticity and appropriation vs. sharing. Mirabai Starr's session was a great background for that. Very thoughtful ordering of the classes, as well."

"The quality of presentations: thoughtful, relevant, tailored to the purpose. Excellent overview to the traditions represented and delightful introduction to the presenters. Makes me proud to be affiliated with SDI! Hearing Rev. Seifu speak of his mission to 'broaden the invitation' I feel included and appreciate the direction the organization is going."

"I am inspired to do more reading and incorporate some of the praying styles in my own prayer. I have broadened my range of reading so feel a tad more comfortable in suggesting to my directees sources for spiritual reading not in their principle tradition."

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Share Your Words of Wisdom!

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