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
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
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.
"Spiritual direction helps us learn how to live in peace, with compassion, promoting justice, as humble servants of that which lies beyond all names."--Liz Budd Ellmann
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!
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.
Published in
Announcements on Jul 1, 2010
Guest author: Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv
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.
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.
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