SDI celebrates the Solstice with a poem from member John Pollard [Ontario, Canada]

On the Bridge of the Present Moment (at Chapin Mill):
Home

On one side of the bridge water flows away
With it floats away the past, all of life's successes and failures
Self views, judgments of others, all being carried away
Released, let go, surrendered, relinquished

On the other side of the bridge water comes cascading forward
Bringing with it (for now) the future, new successes, new failures
New self views, new judgments of others, all coming forward
To be experienced, but only for a while
Soon to flow under the bridge and also be carried away

But for now, on the bridge of the present moment
Attention is drawn upward through newly budding trees
To the vast unending expanse of sky above
Untroubled by the scudding clouds or honking geese

Consciousness standing on the bridge of the present moment
Breathing into the vastness, the blueness
Stretching up to the heights, the depths
Being drawn up into the limitless Sky
Falling into the arms of our radiant True Nature
Dissolving into the timelessness of All That Is
It feels so much like ... Home
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
 
                                           -- John Pollard, May 2011

Give a FREE gift to your community…
The 2012 print version of Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors is published once a year, and it's coming soon!

A complimentary gift ...
Would you like to share a printed copy of the 2012 Seek and Find Guide with someone in your community who would benefit from having a 2012 print version? Perhaps one of these places or people spark an idea in you:

• Your local spiritual congregation leader
• Dean in a theology school or rabbinical college
• Director of a retreat or mindfulness center
• Chaplain or spiritual care provider in your local health care center
• Local business, charitable organization, the Red Cross, or a homeless shelter
• Engage your imagination ... who? where?

It's simple:
Send SDI your snail mail address, or the address of a person in your community who will appreciate receiving the Seek and Find Guide. We’ll mail them a COMPLIMENTARY copy later this year! We will even let them know that you are giving them this gift if you would like us to. All members of Spiritual Directors International will automatically receive a free copy via snail mail. It's a membership benefit.

Act by July 1, 2011
Tell us where to send a copy of the 2012 Seek and Find Guide – it’s a fast and easy way to help your community.

• Telephone the home office of SDI at: 425-455-1565; or
• Send an e-mail to: membership [@] sdiworld.org

Please include the following information in your e-mail:
Subject: FREE Seek and Find

Name:
Organization:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State/Province/Territory:
Zip code / Postal code:
Country:
E-mail:
Would you like us to e-mail the person to let them know you are sending them a gift? Yes or no?

Help people connect
This is one concrete way we can work together to touch the lives of many people in your community. On your behalf, Spiritual Directors International is reaching out to raise awareness of the global and local ministry and service of spiritual companionship by placing a Seek and Find Guide at their fingertips.

Spiritual Directors International Membership
Current members: Please update your membership information by July 1. Fill out the profile update form http://bit.ly/profupdate or e-mail membership [@] sdiworld.org. Any changes to your information must be received by July 1 to be included in the 2012 printed Seek and Find Guide.

Not yet a member? Join SDI now. You will be included in the online and printed version of the 2012 Seek and Find Guide, and receive many other membership benefits. It's easy. 

Spiritual Directors International receives many prayers for the people and issues that create a concern and cry of the heart. Prayer also flows from kindness, love, and compassion. A prayer can be simple and contain appreciation, presence, and gratefulness.

Meister Ekhart wrote, "If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is thank you, that will suffice."

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

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

Click the link below to respond. Your prayer or comment will post within 36 hours.

Peace ...

Spiritual direction helps us tell our sacred stories, and live into our deepest truth. Men and women benefit from good guides.

Author Terry Patten believes, "The men’s movement is going through a major resurgence and evolutionary altruism is at the heart of it."

The description for a free online teleseminar, "The Way of the Evolutionary Man" explains:

How do we cultivate our unique gifts and abilities as men, to help awaken and evolve our world? ... The often parodied “sensitive new-age guy” feels more like a retreat from masculinity than a step forward. But a new kind of man is emerging from within...
 
Neither patriarchs nor wimps, we are committed to bringing our authentic gifts into the world without apology and learning to embrace our deeper masculinity without reserve. We are striving to meet today’s great challenge: to forge in our consciousness a new kind of man liberated from the old archetypes and new roles alike to participate consciously in our own evolution and the evolution of humanity. We are Evolutionary Men.
 
And we’re in uncharted territory--often with little to guide us.

Spiritual direction is a way to cultivate authenticity, gifts and abilities. Meeting with like-minded people is valuable. Where do you connect with good guides?

Links

• Free online teleseminar, "The Way of the Evolutionary Man", June 6-11, 2011
• Free online teleseminar, "The Ultimate Men's Summit", June 10-19, 2011
• Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors

Please comment, share your thoughts, and the places and ways that you explore unchartered territory.
If you participate in one of these teleseminars, or other workshops and retreats, please share your insights and stories.

One Drop of Water, Joined with Another

  
Did you hear the news? Pope Benedict XVI said in Rome on May 19, that every Christian would benefit from spiritual direction! Yes, it’s true. Spiritual direction for more than the theology faculty from around the world that he was addressing. Spiritual direction for more than priests, nuns, and monks.

Spiritual direction for more than Catholics. He said,

“…again the Church continues to recommend the practice of spiritual direction, not only to all those who wish to follow the Lord up close, but to every Christian who wishes to live responsibly his baptism, that is, the new life in Christ.”

Imagine a world where approximately two billion people actively tend their spiritual lives by meeting regularly with a spiritual director! The Pope added the recommendation for spiritual direction “[to] everyone, in fact, and in a particular way all those who have received the divine call to a closer following, needs to be supported personally by a sure guide in doctrine and expert in the things of God.” Pope Benedict likened spiritual direction to that "personal relationship that the Lord had with his disciples, that special bond with which he led them, following him, to embrace the will of the Father (cf. Luke 22:42), that is, to embrace the cross."

Wow! That’s quite an ecumenical endorsement for the spiritual direction ministry we are called to serve. Of course the Pope’s validation of spiritual direction may not be important for all SDI members, especially our Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim members. Yet, it is definitely worth celebrating when a global religious leader connects spiritual direction today with the “vast renewal movement [that] began in the Church by the testimony of Saints Teresa of Jesus and John of the Cross. It aroused a rekindling of the ideals and fervor of contemplative life, which in the sixteenth century set afire, so to speak, Europe and the whole world.”

In essence, the Pope was inspiring theology faculty to bring forward for today the ancient practice of spiritual direction as a contemplative practice that has the potential for vast renewal of people and institutions. How exciting and refreshing!

So how will you celebrate and leverage the Pope’s encouragement for more people to engage in spiritual direction? I am reminded of Carmel Boyle’s chant, One Drop of Water that we sang together during the SDI Being Present conference in Dublin, Ireland:

One drop of water, joined with another

Joined with another, joined with another,

One drop of water, joined with another

Joined with another,

Joined with another,

Becomes a waterfall.

Because of your efforts, SDI’s dedication to raise awareness of spiritual direction, and validating statements from religious leaders, more and more people of every faith are learning about the value of spiritual direction.

You and I are the drops of water that come together to form a waterfall of refreshing renewal through the ministry and service of spiritual direction around the world and across traditions. Thank you for your participation in the global rivulets that are becoming main streams.

Here are some ideas of how to celebrate and reach out in your community: In June, you will receive invitations to include your name in the print version of the Seek and Find guide as well as encouragement to have SDI send for FREE a copy of the Seek and Find guide to someone in your community who needs to learn more about spiritual direction.

Could now be the right time to visit your local campus, hospital chaplaincy department, and houses of worship to let them know about spiritual direction? Spiritual Directors International publishes very affordable Explore brochures with space to include your business card to make your outreach easy. Order a bundle of fifty brochures online.

 

How will you celebrate this radically refreshing validation of spiritual direction? Share how you are celebrating and encouraging people in your community to engage in spiritual direction by adding a comment.

Reporting for the Clarion Herald in "Spiritual direction in archdiocese has important guidelines", Peter Finney, Jr. writes,

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has established training requirements for those interested in serving as spiritual directors within the archdiocese. The guidelines have been in effect for many years, said Archbishop Gregory Aymond, but they are being emphasized again because of the importance of the ministry in leading others to God.

"Spiritual direction is an ancient tradition in our church,” Archbishop Aymond said. “Those who serve in this ministry are given the privilege to guide others, to walk with others in the important journey of faith with Christ and in service to his people. It is important that spiritual directors are properly formed in order that they can lead people and serve them with genuine faith and integrity.”

Furthermore, spiritual directors are expected to:

complete an approved formation program that includes teaching on the meaning, theology and practice of spiritual direction; the theology and practice of  discernment; and what distinguishes spiritual direction from pastoral counseling, therapy, faith companioning and catechesis...

Links

• The full story: "Spiritual direction in archdiocese has important guidelines

• Helpful tips when you seek and interview a spiritual director
• Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual Directors
• Searchable interactive Google map of programs worldwide that form, train, and enrich a spiritual director
• Guidelines for Ethical Conduct published by Spiritual Directors International

Spiritual Directors International publishes Guidelines for Ethical Conduct (in English and Spanish), which provides a framework for a healthy spiritual direction relationship. You may want to ask your prospective spiritual directors about their formation and training, on-going education, if they are in supervision for their ministry and if they abide by the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct.

Spiritual Directors International does not endorse or recommend particular spiritual directors. SDI is not a certifying body, but rather a global learning community that supports spiritual directors in their ministry with educational programs, publications, and contemplative practices.

SDI celebrates Earth Day at Ignatius House in Atlanta, Georgia by planting two azaleas.

The SDIworld Coordinating Council proclaimed scripture, poetry and stories about the importance of being in nature and respecting all creation from Aboriginal Australia, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. See Atlanta, Georgia, May 2011 photographs.

Local Atlanta community members helped to plant the azaleas, watering Earth and the azaleas with water blessed during the Cultivating Compassion educational events. The water came from all over the world as participants from five continents contributed water to a blessed bowl during the education events.

During the Contemplative Retreat, participants contributed ... and poured more blessed water of hope for a compassionate future.

Link: Atlanta, Georgia, May 2011 photographs

Going green is about more than using fewer resources; it’s also about giving back resources to a world that’s given much to each of us. That’s why Spiritual Directors International plants trees (and azaleas) ...

Every one of us participates in shaping a world that supports life that flourishes. We invite you to join Spiritual Directors International’s commitment to foster forests by planting trees.

Atlanta, Georgia, May 2011 photographs

Do you have a tree planting story to share?

Addressing members of the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum 75 years after its foundation by the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Pope Benedict XVI recommends the practice of spiritual direction to every Christian.

Vatican Radio reported, "Meeting them in the Vatican, the Pope praised the academic community saying it is strengthened by the wealth of a great spiritual family, namely St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, who were witnesses of contemplative life and inflamed Europe and the world."

Reporting the full text of Pope Bendict's address, ZENIT posted:

"As she has never failed to do, again today the Church continues to recommend the practice of spiritual direction, not only to all those who wish to follow the Lord up close, but to every Christian who wishes to live responsibly his baptism, that is, the new life in Christ."

Pope Benedict likened spiritual direction to that:

"personal relationship that the Lord had with his disciples, that special bond with which he led them, following him, to embrace the will of the Father (cf. Luke 22:42), that is, to embrace the cross."

Links

• ZENIT: Papal Address to the Teresianum "How Can We Remain Indifferent to Such Love"
• SDIworld: "What is Spiritual Direction?"
• Finding a spiritual director is a very personal and spiritual quest. SDI suggests a person seeking a spiritual director contact at least two spiritual directors to interview. Learn tips to find spiritual directors to interview: Seek and Find a Spiritual Director Guide

Cheryl Wittenauer, reporting for the National Catholic Reporter writes "New form of religious life offers laity a Benedictine pathway" Wittenauer explains:

The Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pa., have launched what they describe as a lay monastic movement for seekers of God and a meaningful life, calling it “our gift to the next generation.”

“Monasteries of the Heart: A New Movement for a New World” offers an opportunity for anyone--regardless, or even in the absence, of faith tradition -- to live Benedictine spirituality and values with online communities or in face-to-face groups of family, friends, neighbors or fellow churchgoers, they said.

Members create their own “monastery” by supporting each other in shaping their spiritual lives around Benedictine values of community, prayer, meaningful work, peace and care of creation. They can gather around a table or in an online “monastery without walls” for prayer, discussion and reflection.

Members of Spiritual Directors International offer their perspectives and wisdom:

• "Online communities with the right guidelines can be just as valid as getting together in someone’s living room, ..." -- Mary Ann Brussat
• "...people don’t have to live in a monastery to live a contemplative path." -- Christine Valters Paintner
• "... technology is inviting us in ways we never imagined possible." -- Leah Rampy
• "...it's high-transition time for spirituality, from brick-and-mortar to another way of knowing each other." -- Liz Budd Ellmann
• "Most of those who give up their religion today state that they have a very strong faith but their spiritual needs are not being met... " -- Paul Coutinho, SJ

Read the rest of the story, "New form of religious life offers laity a Benedictine pathway"

What is evoked in you?
Can you envision a "monastery of the heart"?
Please reply and share your thoughts

David DeSteno, PhD, writing in "The Calculus of Compassion: What determines whether we feel another's pain?" says,

This and related findings clearly demonstrate that the capacity for compassion, and indeed our characters in general, are not fixed, but are determined dynamically moment-to-moment outside of our awareness in an attempt to balance the pressures of social living. At first, this may seem dispiriting, but in actuality it can be liberating. In the end, each of us has the potential to be not only a sinner, but also a saint. 

• Can you identify how compassion arises within you?
• Are there specific practices that help you cultivate compassion?
• Who inspires you during this time of your life?

Full story: Psychology Today, May 11, 2011, "The Calculus of Compassion: What determines whether we feel another's pain?" David DeSteno, PhD