What does it mean to serve justice as a spiritual companion? How does God change our hearts? When is it time to stay in and be present to the tensions of injustice, and when is it time to leave for the sake of justice? These questions beleaguered me as Spiritual Directors International discerned that the 2011 Cultivating Compassion educational events must move out of Boston due to labor disputes at the hotel where we planned to gather.

I realize the move from Boston will disappoint many people in New England and create a lot of work for staff and volunteers in Atlanta, Georgia, where Spiritual Directors International will host Cultivating Compassion in April 2011. Yet it is the right thing to do. How do I know? To be honest, I do not quite fully understand with my head’s knowledge. But my whole body knows: heart, soul, and communal spirit knowledge.

This is not the first time that Spiritual Directors International has been asked to serve justice in a hotel situation. Flashback to 2002, during the SARS epidemic. Spiritual Directors International discerned to stay in Toronto and host educational events, despite SARS, in part to demonstrate support for the Toronto community and to provide work for the hotel housekeepers and kitchen staff. Some amazing conversations occurred between housekeepers and spiritual directors as a result of Spiritual Directors International choosing to stay.

In the current circumstance, the plight of Boston hotel housekeepers who lost their jobs a year ago has polarized executive staff at the hotels, unions, New England clergy of many faiths, and SDI members. Instead of black and white, right and wrong, spiritual directors listen for many shades of gray. We ask “Where is God in this situation?”  

For me, the discernment to move the 2011 Cultivating Compassion educational events from Boston to Atlanta has opened my heart to people who seek justice everywhere. Please join me in praying for God to continue to change our hearts.

In the comments section below, please share your thoughts about what it means to you to serve justice as a spiritual companion. Where do you notice God changing hearts? How does contemplative practice contribute to justice?

Spiritual Directors International receives many prayers for the people and issues that create a concern and cry of the heart.

Please add your prayer as a comment to this post. Each month SDI will republish this blog post to cultivate compassion and prayer within our global learning community. This ongoing post replaces the "Prayers" blog category.

 

 

Henri Nouwen writes,

“There are as many ways to pray as there are moments in life. Sometimes we seek out a quiet spot and want to be alone, sometimes we look for a friend and want to be together. Sometimes we like a book, sometimes we prefer music. Sometimes we want to sing out with hundreds, sometimes only whisper with a few. Sometimes we want to say it with words, sometimes in deep silence.  In all these moments, we gradually make our lives more of a prayer and we open our hands to be led by God even to places we would rather not go.”

In this time of world wide web connections, may our varied online prayers continue to cultivate compassion and connection.

Simply add your prayer or by clicking the link below. Your prayer or comment will post within 36 hours.

Peace ...

Spiritual Direction through Skype
By SDI member, Ulysses Castillo

David and I met last summer at a Buddhist retreat in Estes Park, Colorado, USA. Both of us Christians, we connected during a Buddhist Christian Dialog group that got together for support during the retreat. Afterwards, I thought I’d never see David again.

Several months later, David sought me out via Facebook (an online social network) and asked if I would be his spiritual director. He noted that he was having trouble finding a spiritual director who could appreciate both his Christian and Buddhist spiritual journey. I was thrilled at the opportunity. We e-mailed back and forth a few times, to determine if his expectations and needs and what I had to offer were a good fit, and decided that we were compatibly matched. There was just one problem: David lives in Chicago, and I live in Kansas.

We considered several options, like e-mail and telephone, but e-mail doesn’t allow you to hear emotions, and telephone doesn’t allow you to watch body language. Ultimately we settled on Skype. Skype is a free video-conferencing service that allows you and your friends to have a conversation over the Internet with a computer and a videocam.

I was concerned about the distance at first, and so was David. Both of us knew that we needed to be able to feel a connection, to see each other’s body language, to notice each other’s spirit, and we weren’t sure if videoconferencing would allow that. We were worried, but decided to give it a try. I’m so glad we did!

From a technology perspective, I am lucky enough to have a portable laptop. But the speakers on that system are very poor, so I purchased some inexpensive Logitech external speakers designed for laptops ($20). The sound was immensely improved. I also purchased a Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 ($40), a good quality, light-weight video cam with a built-in microphone that works well in low light and sits easily on top of my laptop screen. Installing and configuring Skype (www.skype.com) onto my laptop was a breeze. Prior to my session with David, I made sure that my set up was working properly. I didn’t want any last-minute technical failures.

I set up in the same space that I normally do spiritual direction. I sat in my normal seat, with my back to the fire place and positioned my laptop on a small end-table that is normally right next to my directee’s chair. I made all the preparations I normally make: prayer beforehand, lighting a candle, and so forth. Even though David couldn’t smell the candle, I could, and smell is always a subtle reminder of the sacred space that I am entering.

David and I had a wonderful first session. After the initial “jitters” that everyone has at a first session, we settled in quickly. Afterwards, we discussed how God was present to us in the session.  We both had the feeling that the Spirit was bridging the gap between us, surrounding us with perceptible energy.

In later sessions, I’ve sometimes sensed the Spirit behind David, sort of hovering above his head. It makes me smile every time.

Far from the Spirit being absent to us because of the technology, it has made us even more aware of God’s presence, and of our need for that presence to be with us, to make the connections, and we are able to place our trust into God’s capable handiwork.

In the months since, we have continued to meet regularly via Skype, and I’ve had the chance to fine-tune our experience.

Here are some tips I’ve learned:

• Get your technology squared-away beforehand. One time, my Internet connection decided to not work on the laptop, and I had to move everything to my messy office with just minutes to spare before our session was to begin. I felt rushed and harassed. The lesson: make sure everything is working well ahead of the session.
• Allow extra time between sentences. There is sometimes just the very slightest split-second delay in the audio. Allowing a little extra time after your spiritual directee has spoken will make sure that you don’t accidently “step over” his or her words.
• Watch your lighting. Normally we like our spaces to be somewhat dim, but video cams need a good amount of light to be able to see each other well, so plan on having some extra light. And watch out for backlighting (a lamp or bright window positioned directly behind you for example), as that will cause you to be nothing but a silhouette to your spiritual directee.  
• Turn your screensaver off. There’s nothing more disruptive than having your screensaver kick in while you’re listening and watching your spiritual directee speak. And when you get back, your cam may temporarily freeze the video. Remember to turn it back on after your session.
• Give audible cues during silence. Often during silences, there is that almost perceptible intuition that the time for silence is over. That is often still present in our sessions, but we make sure that we give each other an audible cue, like saying, “Amen,” to let the other know for sure that we’re ready to continue.

I would love to do spiritual direction with David in person. Skype will always remain second best for me. But advancements in technology have opened a whole new world for my spiritual direction ministry. Far from being an impediment to deep connection, it’s been my experience that Skype has given me an even deeper awareness of God’s presence during my sessions, and I gratefully yield even more into God’s hands.

About
Ulysses Castillo, OblSB, is a member of Spiritual Directors International, a lay member of the United Methodist Church, and an Oblate of the Order of Saint Benedict, affiliated with Mount Saint Scholastica, Atchison, KS. He received his spiritual director training from Souljourners Ecumenical Program for Spiritual Directors and is a retreat leader with interests in Benedictine spirituality, Sabbath rest, and Christian Buddhist dialog.

 

August 16, 2010, The University of Oregon reports:

"Just 11 hours of learning a meditation technique induces positive structural changes in brain connectivity by boosting efficiency in a part of the brain that helps a person regulate behavior in accordance with their goals, researchers report. The technique -- integrative body-mind training (IBMT) -- has been the focus of intense scrutiny by a team of Chinese researchers led by Yi-Yuan Tang of Dalian University of Technology in collaboration with University of Oregon psychologist Michael I. Posner."

Using a type of magnetic resonance called diffusion tensor imaging allows researchers to examine fibers connecting brain regions.

"The importance of our findings relates to the ability to make structural changes in a brain network related to self regulation," said Posner, who last fall received a National Medal of Science. "The pathway that has the largest change due to IBMT is one that previously was shown to relate to individual differences in the person's ability to regulate conflict."

The new research is published online the week of Aug. 16-21 ahead of regular publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Click to read the full article, "Chinese meditation IBMT found to boost brain connectivity."

Explore your meditation, contemplative practice, and prayer life when you meet regularly with a spiritual director. To locate a spiritual guide near you, visit the online Seek and Find Guide at the Spiritual Directors International Web site.

What is your experience of meditation? Please comment...

 

 

Become Astonished!

The cover article from Listen: A Seekers Resource for Spiritual Direction 4.4, October 2010 invites readers to consider the contemplative practice of becoming astonished, and to share personal stories and experiences.

Pegge Bernecker, editor and spiritual director writes:

"Several months ago, cosmologist Brian Swimme spoke two words, garnishing my complete attention: “Become astonished!” His directive guides my daily interactions with people, my work, and my own inner aliveness. Five syllables in two simple words accompany me during difficult, vulnerable times, as a mantra to see with new eyes, and to love with an increasingly broad, courageous heart."

Additionally, Bernecker asks, "Why would it be valuable to cultivate the contemplative practice of astonishment? My intuition and experience inform me that our willingness to become astonished by someone or something develops compassion, integrity, kindness, creative action, forgiveness, and a heightened ability to be fully human, fully alive. I learn—maybe you do too—that when we become astonished, we:

• Let go of preconceived ideas and patterns of thinking
• Allow the present moment to interrupt the past and future
• Engage our senses
• Nurture alertness
• Trust unknown possibility, mystery
• Grow laughter and delight
• Engage
• Discover unimaginable reality
• Risk forgiveness, transformation
• Dare to be brave
• Become healers and healed, joyful
• Inspire gratefulness

Will you please seek to become astonished, at least once, every day? I urge you to be willing to be surprised. If you say yes, I imagine your life and inner aliveness will become more peaceful, transparent, and vital. You will grow in service and compassion. Envision the daily stories you can share with family, friends, and spiritual companions! Do it—look around, glance within—become astonished."

Click to read the Become Astonished in its entirety.
Click to subscribe to Listen: A Seeker's Resource for Spiritual Direction, published by Spiritual Directors International.

Please share your story! Simply add a reply.

As Muslims enter into the month long holy holiday of Ramadan and focus on self-discipline--physical, mental, emotional and spiritual--we can reflect upon words from Spiritual Directors International member Sheikh Jamal Rahman. In 2009, Rahman, together with Kathleen Schmitt Elias, and Ann Holmes Redding authored A Spiritual Directors International Book:  Out of Darkness, Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian Sources.

We learn:

"In Islam, whose name means surrender to God, the central goal is to live our lives in the spirit of surrender to our Creator. Seekers of any religious tradition have a similar desire to achieve union with Divine Reality. Whether we call it surrender, redemption, union, or quest for inner freedom, the journey is the same. It is a lifelong adventure, and along the way there are many twists and turns, many opportunities to get lost or go astray. There are no maps to guide the human heart, but in every religion there are teachers and basic guidebooks—scriptures and sacred texts that point the way toward Mystery. In Islam, we have the Quran. We also have fourteen centuries of wisdom distilled from the Holy Book by Islamic sages, mystics, and teachers."

To read more about Out of Darkness, Into Light, click here.

Revealing Ramadan: 30 Days, 30 Stories

Would reading "personal stories and reflections about the meaning of Ramadan and how Muslims incorporate those experiences into their personal faith journeys during Islam’s holiest month and afterward" inspire and intrigue you? Then make certain to take a look at the Speaking of Faith “Revealing Ramadan” blog where 30 stories—one story per day—will be "featuring the voices of Muslims from Madrid to Dallas and Seattle."

Every 2.2 seconds, a foot long pulse of neutrinos leaves the circular accelerator at Fermilab near Chicago, Illinois, USA and is aimed northward toward a target a half mile underground in a defunct 19th century iron mine in Soudan, Minnesota, USA. The tiny particles travel at almost the speed of light, reaching Soudan 2.5 thousandths of a second later.

Last week I visited my family on the north shore of Lake Superior where my grandparents built a cabin. My father took me to visit an experiment that has captured his imagination. He ferried me to the underworld.

In an old mining cage, we descended down, down, down, half a mile into the dark, damp earth where iron miners once toiled. We entered a modern high-energy physics lab carved into 2.7 billion year old rock. On one wall, a huge bright mural tells the story of scientists experimenting with fundamental structures of the universe (see mural by Joseph Giannetti). Bats fly through space in the mural, as they do in the deep mine.

The lab houses receptors consisting of six-thousand tons of giant steel plates that detect the existence of neutrinos that have been blasted from the Fermilab accelerator 735 kilometers (457 miles!) away. The neutrinos not only move through clay and rock but also are so small they pass through the emptiness of atoms. Only neutrinos that strike the nucleus of atoms within the six-thousand-ton-steel-plate receptors are detected. Of the billions of neutrinos sent every 2.2 seconds, only four neutrinos a day are recorded.

There are no commercial applications for the information gained by the elaborate and expensive experiment half a mile underground. Pure science. Basic inquiry. A passion for understanding. But what are we trying to understand? Creation. God’s universe. God’s great labyrinth. In fact, the name of the experiment is MINOS meaning Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search. You may recall in mythology that Minos was the builder of the labyrinth.

Dallying with quantum physics puts me in a state of awe. I certainly do not understand all that is going on, but the realization that neutrinos are God’s handiwork deepens my faith and appreciation for all God has created, including the vastness of space in everything I perceive to be solid, like rock and steel.

My father prays differently than I do. His search is unlike mine. And yet, we seek. We search. We yearn for connection with the great mystery.

In the comments section of the blog, please share your thoughts about how you go deeper and explore further. What inspires awe for you?

 

Recently there was an article published by an author who " defined spirtuality for everyone." An unusual claim to me as I have discovered on my decades of journeying, and mentoring, that spirituality is an intense personal relationship between a source of infnite power and an individual. A source of comfort and joy, and one that can be shared, but is, within me as a great gift. I am blessed to know many others who have this same inner light - and we all may have a different "name" that we refer to as the source of this " light " but it is within each of us not a generalized "religion." Yes, we all share our bibles and histories and chants and songs--but as each of come to an altar, we bring just what we have. Ourselves. We come together to pray, to offer what we can, it is all so simple. Spirituality for everyone is offered but not as a blanket program, but one that lifts the individual to the deepest and highest of all that Creatior has to offer.This takes a courageous step for each individual, not a weeping movement for total commitment.Yes, we all support each other, but each of us has to have a personal commitment. To want to BE.

Are you seeking a spiritual director, spiritual guide or a compassionate listener to accompany you at this time in your life?

Learn tips and next steps on August 24, 2010 during a FREE teleconference.

Spiritual Directors International offers FREE one hour educational teleconferences for everyone who wants to learn how to use the online Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors to find a spiritual director or guide.

Learn practical steps to locate and interview a spiritual director from the ease of your own telephone, in the location of your choice.

August 24, 2010 12:00 EDT; 5:00 GMT/UTC

Click here to RSVP for the August 24, 2010 Teleconference
You will receive an e-mail one week ahead of time with the telephone number to call for the teleconference.

"How to Seek and Find a Spiritual Director" specifics

WHO: Everyone interested in learning how to seek and find a spiritual director or guide.
WHAT: A one hour FREE educational teleconference. Your only cost is the telephone call.
WHEN: August 24, 2010, 12:00-1:00 EDT; 4:00-5:00 GMT/UTC (To calculate 12:00 EDT; 4:00 GTU  in your time zone click here: www.timeanddate.com)
WHERE: Location of your choice, using your telephone.
WHY: Discover practical steps to locate and interview a spiritual director. Learn good questions to ask yourself as you begin this process. Find out about new and updated features in Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors - the first-ever comprehensive, global listing of available spiritual directors.

Click here to RSVP for the August 24, 2010 Teleconference
You will receive an e-mail one week ahead of time with the telephone number to call for the teleconference. Everyone is welcome.

Sacred listening transforms lives through the art of spiritual direction, spiritual guidance, spiritual accompaniment, anam cara in Gaelic, and mashpiah in Hebrew. SDI offers resources for spirituality, contemplative prayer, compassionate listening, discernment, education, and retreats. 

The Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction (AECSD) invites participation in a new Symposium that aims to examine the impact of contemporary spirituality on the practice of spiritual direction.

The Inaugural National Symposium of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction: Exploring Contemporary Spirituality and its Impact on the Practice of Spiritual Direction will feature academic papers and practitioner presentations exploring the topic, according to a press statement.

The Symposium will be held on October 29-30 in Melbourne, Australia

Links
Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction

 

Participate on August 14, 2010 in The Great Kindness Challenge

On August 14, 2010, from sunup to sundown, children around the world will accomplish simple, kind deeds using The Great Kindness Challenge Checklist of simple ideas. The "Kids for Peace" goal is to have over one million children participate. It is the hope that, "this day will inspire a lifelong commitment to service and kindness." Will you consider participating to serve and offer as many acts of kindness as possible?

Spiritual direction and contemplative practice leads to discerned action. Action can result in a world that is more kind, loving, just, and compassionate for all.
                     
Kids For Peace Pledge      
I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.
I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.
I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.
I pledge to respect people in each and every land.
I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.
I pledge to do my part to create peace for one and all

 

Links
Kids for Peace

 

Kids for Peace is a global, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting our world through love and action. Their mission is to cultivate every child's innate ability to foster peace through cross-cultural experiences and hands-on arts, service and environmental projects.

       

Looking for refreshment? Drink in wisdom from SDI spiritual directors through a new video...

Five spiritual directors from different spiritual traditions and global locations respond to the question, “As a spiritual director, what nourishes or refreshes you?”

Listen to Rev. Mary Earle, Jamal Rahman, Alexandra Kovats, CSJP, Rabbi Ted Falcon, and Rev. Gibbon Bogatsu. These five leaders share from their personal story in interview clips filmed during the Spiritual Directors International educational events in Houston, Texas, USA. 

Links
To learn more from these contemplative leaders, watch additional videos in the "Spiritual Directors International Learns From..." series:

    * Rev. Gibbon Bogatsu: how spiritual direction helps people deepen their relationship with God
    * The Rev. Mary Earle: learning to pray and listen with more than the ears
    * Rabbi Ted Falcon: Torah as a paradigm for spiritual awakening and spiritual direction as a place for doubts and questions to be explored
    * Alexandra Kovats, CSJP: ecological spirituality as it relates to God's peace and the value of spiritual direction
    * Jamal Rahman: prayer, the Qur'an, and how spiritual teachers and spiritual directors in the Muslim tradition provide support for learning how to be at peace with yourself 

Gratefulness extends to member Tara Owens, CSD for creating this video.

Please share your thoughts and comments to this question, “As a spiritual director, what nourishes or refreshes you?”

 

 

In celebration of Spiritual Directors International turning twenty in 2010, SDI asked members to share photographs and birthday blessings with a Gratefulness Gram!

Be inspired, read what people say ... and, please add your thoughts, comments, and send your own gratefulness gram via this blog post!

Gratefulness Grams

Please add your own Gratefulness Gram via this blog post. Simply add a comment. Alternately, send your note and photo via e-mail to membership@sdiworld.org to be included in the Gratefulness Gram slideshow.

 

 

This story was submitted by Mary Karp on the Spiritual Directors International Web site:

By the time I was in my mid 40's, I had established a career in Clinical Social Work; was comfortable with God and my faith of Quakerism; was married to my college sweetheart -- with a beautiful home, two fine boys, a Golden Retriever, and even two cars! I was set.
 
Then, in one dramatic 24-hour period, it all began to unravel. Within a short span of time, I was diagnosed first with Lupus SLE then with Parkinson’s: two life threatening, chronic diseases. At first, I tried to manage the chaos that the Lupus brought to our lives, all on my own. Within a short time, however, I  was driven to the use of drugs and psychiatry for depression when, two years into the diagnosis,  the Lupus inflamed my kidneys and my very life was suddenly on the line. It was after stabilizing  on an experimental chemotherapy, that I stumbled across 'Spiritual Direction' and knew instinctively and immediately that that was my door to sanity, even as I had no idea what spiritual direction really was. In that critical
Moment, I knew only that I was exhausted, and that therapy could not touch the pain I was in – it was spiritual. I was spinning helplessly – in increasingly tight circles – desperate for relief from relentless questions:

WHERE WAS GOD?
WHAT HAD I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?!
HOW COULD I LIVE WITH THIS MEDICAL NIGHTMARE?
MY FAMILY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS LEVEL OF CHAOS AND LOSS –
IT IS NOT FAIR!!
WHY ME?!
GOD HAS BETRAYED ME!!

Spiritual direction has done nothing short of quieting me down, helping me to grow up and into my new reality, creating a container for my fears and extreme panic, and bringing me home to myself and my God. Spiritual direction has transformed my life to one of possibilities out of my now deepened and renewed relationship with the God-of-my-understanding.

With a deep bow of gratitude, we thank you, Mary, for letting people around the world and across traditions know about how spiritual direction transformed you.

In the comments section of the blog, please reply and share your thoughts about how spiritual direction has transformed you. Or if you prefer, you may add your comments through the Share Your Story Web page.

Do you desire to learn about spiritual direction, what you can expect in spiritual direction, where spiritual direction might lead, and what to bring to spiritual direction? Are you wondering if spiritual direction could help your prayer and meditation practice?

Make time for a few minutes with Rev. Jane E. Vennard. Through two new short videos you will hear many gems, including, “Take your time," "Spiritual direction keeps me praying" and "Open your heart to the wonder of the world."

With this engaging, genuine conversation, Vennard adds to the “Spiritual Directors International Learns From…” video series. Filmed during the SDI twentieth anniversary celebration in San Francisco, California, USA, she was a plenary keynote during the educational events.

“What to Expect In Spiritual Direction”

About
Rev. Jane E. Vennard is a spiritual director, and senior adjunct faculty of prayer and spirituality at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, USA. She teaches and leads retreats in international ecumenical settings, and is the author of six books including Praying with Body and Soul; Be Still: Designing and Leading Contemplative Retreats; and The Way of Prayer.

Additional Links

• FREE educational videos in "SDI Learns From..." YouTube video series. More than fifteen titles are now available to you
• Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors is an online, comprehensive, global listing of more than 5,000 spiritual directors and guides. Using interactive Google maps, you can search anywhere in the world
• FREE one hour Spiritual Directors International Teleconference: “How to Seek and Find a Spiritual Director”
• To be the first to view new educational videos, add your name to the YouTube subscription service for sdiworld videos Links to books by Rev. Jane E. Vennard, and additional juicy titles from spiritual leaders

Spiritual Directors International creates educational videos for the general public to tell the story of spiritual direction, which is also known as spiritual companionship, spiritual guidance, and spiritual accompaniment.

Please share these videos with your colleagues, local religious and spiritual institutions, hospital, organizations that offer spiritual care, seekers, family, friends, students, and everyone seeking a spiritual director or guide.

Gratefulness extends to Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Pegge Bernecker, and Spiritual Directors International for producing these new videos.