“The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of our lives, get behind the façade of conventional gestures and attitudes which we present to the world, and draw out the inner freedom.” – Thomas Merton
People seek spiritual direction for many reasons, including:
- Reflecting on your experience of the divine
- Seeking clarity in life decisions
- Exploring a spiritual disconnect or change
- Centering intentionally around what is most important in your life
- Integrating spirituality and justice
- Healing your image of God
- Integrating spiritual experience with life transitions–grief, loss, becoming a parent, marriage, divorce, coming out, ending relationships, midlife, aging, chronic disease, etc.
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is a time set aside to focus on the intersection of the divine and everyday life. It is a contemplative space where you can wrestle with questions, be open about fears and doubts, and move toward deeper spiritual connection and freedom. Spiritual direction is not about being directed, rather, it is a relationship in which the spiritual director listens to the one seeking direction with compassion, and without judgment. Conversation focuses on noticing and responding to the presence of God in the midst of everyday life. You come as you are, with the questions and experiences you wish to pay attention to. Spiritual direction is not therapy, counseling, or pastoral care, although it works well with those practices.
What to expect
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of working together for spiritual direction, please contact me for an initial meeting. I can meet with you in West Philadelphia, or Germantown. I welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions as partners in spiritual direction.You are invited into this relationship whether you attend a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or none of these.
Spiritual direction sessions are typically one hour long, once per month. I offer a sliding-scale fee based on your means, so that spiritual direction is accessible to all who seek it.
For more information to to set up an appointment, contact me.
Melissa Berkey-Gerard 