Emily Wilmer of the Julian Group in Ithaca, New York, USA, has been using a covenant agreement with her directees for about ten years. "It seems to get the message across to potential directees," she says, "of what I can and cannot do vis-a-vis what they are hoping for."

To share your own experiences of clarifying directees' expectations, click here.

To read Emily's covenant agreement, click

A Covenant for the Spiritual Direction Relationship

 

Spiritual direction is the experience of one-to-one companionship, entered into voluntarily, in which we strive to discern and increase attentiveness to the movement of Spirit in our everyday lives. Through shared conversation we explore the deepest yearnings for relationship, love, joy, compassion, freedom and justice. It is not a therapeutic relationship as one might experience with a psychologist or counselor. It is not an experience in which the director gives advice, offers solutions or sets standards. Rather, it is a relationship in which both people explore the presence and action of God. It is a relationship based in trust in which each person is accountable and responsible for her/his own actions and discernment of God’s leadings. It is a time when the director may offer suggestions, observations and questions to which the directee may respond to and act on only if s/he feels and thinks it is appropriate.

All that is said within a direction session is said with a mutual understanding of confidentiality: all that is said here, remains here. Please note: this confidentiality is not protected under the law, as it would be with a priest/pastor or therapist/counselor.

Please notify me 24 hours in advance if you will be unable to keep an appointment. In the event you do forget or miss an appointment, I ask that you make a contribution for that time except in the case of emergency.

 

Emily Wilmer _____________          Directee _____________

 

Date: _____________