What gifts and aspects of a SD apply to me?

❖The natural gifts of a spiritual director may include discernment; 

• guiding others in prayer and silence; 
• ability to note and draw attention to the significant insights and sensed movements arising in the directee; 
• capacity for depth and breadth; 
• acknowledgement of spiritual freedom; 
• grounding in stability; 
• interpersonal rapport; 
• the ability to meet a directee where they are and hold a safe space for them and their spiritual exploration 

❖ Others recognize the director’s inherent qualities, such as 

• accountability; 
• wisdom; 
• gentleness; 
• compassion; 
• maturity; 
• caring; 
• prayerfulness; 
• traveling a recognizable spiritual journey; 
• personal integration; 
• openness to self, others, and the transcendent

❖ Honors contemplative connection: 

• Directors seek to connect others with the deepest of truths; 
• to support the spiritual transformation of self, others and the world; 
• to embrace holism by integrating mind, body, will, and spirit 

❖Listens deeply: noticing, tracking, distinguishing, prioritizing, paraphrasing, waiting, probing,

challenging, and disclosing—always to serve the directee and the spiritual direction relationship.

❖ Maintains an inner life practice: including prayer or other contemplative practice, reflection, deepening self-awareness, and familiarity with personal gifts, limitations, and wounds, recognizing that all these affect the spiritual direction relationship.

❖ Honors healthy interpersonal boundaries: understanding when and how to make appropriate

referrals; acknowledging assumptions and personal biases, and recognizing when those get in the way of the spiritual direction; recognizes and avoids dual relationships.

❖ Exhibits habits of self-care and care for others 

I am able to approach spirituality from multiple avenues - as an experience and as a belief. One can have both or just one. \

I feel like spiritual direction/companionship is just shining a light on what is already there to until our companion is able to see it themselves. We don't mold or shape - we just exist as a light.