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Why Explore your Spiritual Direction?
Why Explore your Spiritual Direction?
Perhaps you notice an awakening of the Spirit and want to explore this mystery.
Perhaps prayer and meditation have been enduring practices, and a deepening is desired.
Perhaps you face a growing edge.
Perhaps you have questions about life's purpose.
The members of the Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Direction Network are professionals in spiritual direction. We are ordained and lay ministers who have earned credentials through formal spiritual direction training programs. We expect our members to adhere to the ethical guidelines for Spiritual Direction and to be a member of (at least one of) UUMA/UUSCM/LREDA/AUUMM.
Our spiritual wellsprings are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, Theist, Humanist and more. Guided by the practices of spiritual direction from a variety of religious traditions, we work with others, companioning and witnessing to their sacred stories and grace-filled moments. Spiritual direction guides and companions customarily meet with others one-on-one or in small groups on a regular basis.
For more information on individual or group spiritual direction, to locate a UUSDN member, and to begin the process, please see the page of questions to consider when choosing a spiritual guide or companion, then browse our Directory of Members sorted geographically or alphabetically.
For centuries and across religious traditions spiritual directors have helped people along the way.Spiritual Direction is a way of leading us to see and follow the real Director — the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul.— Thomas Merton
HONORARIA:
Spiritual direction seeks to serve persons of all economic situations. Because spiritual guides and companions make their living from this work, an honorarium is requested. Many guides/companions offer pay-from-the-heart or sliding scales. ALWAYS ASK! Amounts ranging from $50-$150 for individual meetings, depending on geo-region, training, and need, are typical. We urge you to find an arrangement that feels ethical and encourages reciprocity in right relationship.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
UUSDN members are...
in direction (tending to our own spiritual lives)
in supervision (tending to our role as directors) (supervision can be individual, a facilitated peer group, or a cooperative peer group)
in a collegial group accountable to ethical standards and right relations according ot UU values [currently UU Ministers Association (UUMA), Liberal Religious Educator’s Association (LREDA), UU Society for Community Ministers (UUSCM), or another equivalent group - please inquire]
following the SDI Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
and have completed formation and training to become skilled, ethical spiritual care professionals.
Members: If you do not have access to a local supervisor, click HERE for supervision options.
Artwork by Peg Green The object of spiritual direction is to cultivate one's ability to discern God's presence in one's life: to notice and appreciate moments of holiness, to maintain an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things, to explore ways to be open to the Blessed Holy One in challenging and difficult moments as well as in joyful ones.— Rabbi Jacob Staub
We think that essential components of formation paths are training, formation and supervised praxis, yet are aware that there are many forms of solid preparation. Here is a path many of our members have taken, equivalent paths are also welcome:
Training:
At least 180 classroom hours (in a program or with a program plus continuing education)
Some interactive training (e.g., not entirely asynchronous.)
Training includes two or more leaders/teachers, who have several years of experience as professionals in spiritual direction and/or supervision training.
We recommend that the program be accountable to a religious organization, spiritual community, or academic institution and/or have ongoing oversight from a board of directors (where that board contains professional spiritual directors.)
Formation:
Training in a spiritual direction program and/or continuing education over a period of at least 18 months (or equivalent*)
At least 2 years participation in individual spiritual direction
Commitment to continue receiving spiritual direction
Supervised Praxis:
At least 18 supervised directee-hours working with at least 2 different directees over at least 6 months (or equivalent*)
Commitment to continue in supervision (supervision can be individual, a facilitated peer group, or a cooperative peer group)
*Your membership team will help you discern what might be equivalent.
(revised October 2023)
To apply or update membership click the Membership menu, above.
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