G’Day from Melbourne! Along with many other Spiritual Directors International members, I feel honored and humbly privileged to be raising awareness of spiritual companionship during the December Parliament of the World’s Religions in Australia. Since 1893, the Parliament has met periodically to build bridges and foster peace among people from diverse spiritual traditions. This year’s Parliament theme, “Making a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the earth” is well-suited for what spiritual direction has to offer.

So often, we speak of spiritual direction as a personal spiritual practice. No doubt the personal inner benefits are great. Increasingly, however, spiritual direction is being noticed by media, like the recent PBS filming, New York Times articles, and the Parliament, as a way to connect our sometimes insular religious groups with the interfaith realities of our world. As spiritual direction is practiced in interfaith communities, barriers among people shift. Spiritual friendship emerges among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, like the story of Rabbi Ted Falcon, Pastor Don Mackenzie, and Sheik Jamal Rahman, also known as the Interfaith Amigos. Everyone who has attended Interfaith Amigo workshops during Spiritual Directors International events will concur that their friendship is palpable and deeply spiritual. By participating in the Parliament of the World’s Religions, we are taking part in a deep culture of transformation through spiritual friendship. Spiritual direction is making a world of difference. By meeting regularly with a spiritual director, by hearing each other, by listening deeply for the Spirit’s guidance, we are healing not only ourselves, but also the earth.  

As a member of Spiritual Directors International, you are making a difference. Thank you for generously participating in the nonviolent, countercultural, and deeply transformational process of listening with compassion. You are moving the world toward light, love, and everlasting peace. Can you think of a better gift in this sacred season?