“Just what is spiritual direction?” is a valid question. Describing the practice of spiritual direction can be tough and usually involves a bit of pausing and chin-scratching. Smith gives a succinct response by describing the spiritual director as someone who offers “spiritual guidance and companionship,” helping the directee to “make sense of [their] faith journey” and all the obstacles and paths that entail (10). The director helps the directee answer the question “how is God present to me and how is God, through the ministry of the Spirit, at work in my life?” (10).
The spiritual direction session, then, is the place where this work is initiated. The bulk of the work is done by the directee on their own, but the session is where Holy Spirit-focused conversation bears witness to the Spirit’s inner witness (40). The session helps the directee make sense of religious experiences (41). These conversations are slow and are continually tested for Holy Spirit authenticity (43).
The session is usually only an hour long and free of outside distractions: life, work, cellphones, etc. (59-60). It starts and ends with prayer to intentionally invite the Holy Spirit into the conversation and to release the directee with blessing (64). Smith suggests three phases in the spiritual direction session. First, there is listening. The director is listening for themes and issues that warrant further exploration (61). Smith also suggests that the directee prepare for the session by writing an outline of what they want to discuss and review (61). This is a good idea, as it serves as a launching pad for the focused conversation. Hitting all the points in the outline is not necessary, but it can be a starting point.
Second, the director responds to the directee and what they have just said. Smith suggests a two- to three-minute period of silence before response as a way of preparing for what may come next (62). Asking clarifying questions and then responding can be part of this second phase (62). Asking clarifying questions is important because the director does not want to misinterpret or put their own biases and opinions into what the directee has just told them. The response is to be driven by the Holy Spirit and focused on addressing what the directee has brought up.
Third, the process is repeated with more clarifying questions and responses (64). The hour is a time for the Holy Spirit to communicate to both director and directee about the issues, questions, and concerns the directee brought to the session. The directee is learning to listen to a focused conversation and, as they progress in spiritual direction, will become more attuned to what God is doing in that hour.
After the session, the director and directee should write out their impressions on the hour to help both process what God has spoken (65). This will help in setting up the next session. What has changed? What is still unresolved? What has been resolved? Where does God want to take us next? These questions can then be addressed in the next spiritual direction session.
Spiritual direction can take many different turns and twists. Based on what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing in the lives of the directee and director, the session can be oriented toward the growth of those involved, bringing them closer to Jesus. Each session is another step in the path of life transformation to deeper Christlikeness.
All page citations from: Smith, Gordon T. Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving and Receiving Direction. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014. Kindle Version.
