Spiritual Direction:
a process that helps you develop a greater ability to discern the movement of God in your life.
A Spiritual Director:
a companion and trained listener who will give you space and time for reflection, for discovery, and to pay closer attention to God’s Spirit.
A Spiritual Director listens to your unfolding story without judgment.
Spiritual direction can help if you have questions and feelings like these:
- I’m feeling a little “dry” in my relationship with Jesus. Is there someone who will listen, not judge, and help me refresh my connection with him>
- I am overwhelmed with busyness and feel pulled in too many directions. How can I make sense of God’s unfolding plan for my life?
- I feel broken. Is there someone who will listen, understand, and help me discover what God is doing in the midst of my pain?
- I’m facing a difficult and stressful situation. Is it possible to find peace in the midst of my circumstances?
Do you want to know more about spiritual direction? Our short Q & A sheet should give you the answers you need!
The Ignatian Exercises:
Several years ago, after following Jesus for most of my life, I felt a growing restlessness in my spirit and realized I needed to find a way for God to burrow more deeply into my heart and soul. This yearning drew me to the Ignatian Exercises, which are composed of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices. They were developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God. [While Ignatius was a Roman Catholic, his exercises strive only to honor and exalt Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As a result, his spiritual insights have brought deeper meaning into the lives of thousands of Protestants, as well as Catholics.]
My time as a participant in the Exercises was both challenging and affirming. I was invited into times of concentrated examination, reflection, and prayer that helped me experience the presence of God in fresh ways. Since completing my training, I have found great joy in leading others through this journey of exploration and discovery…and I would love to have you be part of our next group.
I follow a 9-month plan for praying through the Exercises and a new cohort begins every September. This allows us to complete our journey prior to the start of the following summer. We work through the Exercises together by meeting once a month as a group, with sessions lasting anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours. In addition, I meet monthly with each group member for a 1 hour time of personal spiritual direction.
Thus, during this 9-month experience, you will participate in 18 different meetings and will be with me for some 30-36 hours.
I bring a broad perspective to the Exercises, because – in addition to serving as a pastor – I’ve also been an educator and have worked in the marketplace. I’ve lived various places in the U.S. and traveled to a number of countries. These experiences have broadened my understanding of different kinds of people, different cultures, the challenges of different work environments, and the various ways God invites people into relationship.
The total cost for the Exercises $1,100, which works out to just over $60 per session. If you’d like to learn more, please email me or give me a call.
julie@theunfoldingsoul.org
541-603-6051 (cell)
[Pacific Time]