“The soul is like a wild animal —tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient and yet exceedingly shy. If we want to see a wild animal, the last thing we should do is to go crashing through the woods, shouting for the creature to come out. But if we are willing to walk quietly into the woods and sit silently for an hour or two at the base of a tree, the creature we are waiting for may well emerge, and out of the corner of an eye we will catch a glimpse of the precious wildness we seek.”       ~ Parker Palmer

We humans share a major dilemma. There exists an inner conflict between the parts of us that want to stay safe and hidden, and as theologian Alan Jones wrote, "the Self within each one of us aching to be born". We humans are not so different from our ocean friend the crab, living in a small protective shell while desperately longing to molt and expand! 

Our false selves have many strategies and valid reasons for wanting to hide and resist emerging from our protective exoskeletons. Fear, shame, pride and a heavy dose of cultural conditioning drive a lot of our behaviors to avoid who we really are and decorate ourselves consciously or subconsciously with carefully curated false versions of ourselves. And yet, we are all given the desire deep within us to live FULLY ALIVE during our numbered days on Earth, giving our presence to the present, living deeply connected to the God-given, Spirit-led true self within us. Jesus stands at the door and knocks - he doesn't manipulate, bully or force his way in.  If we open ourselves to Him, He gently and lovingly beckons our true selves out of their exoskeletons. He gives us the gift of being seen, soothed, safe and secure enough to shed our false selves and allow our soft and courageous true self to emerge, molt, transform and expand. And, just like spider crabs gathering together to molt, we are designed to undergo this journey of true-self emergence and transformation with other trusted and safe companions. Our molting and transforming is mysterious - God is at work and we get to participate in it ourselves and alongside others.

"Grant Lord that I may know myself that I may know Thee."  - St. Augustine

WHAT HAPPENS IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? 

Spiritual Direction is a three-way conversation between the directee, the director and God. It is a structured yet spacious way of sacred listening and attentively being with another person's soul, free of interruptions, quick-fix answers and advice. The director is a companion who attunes to you in the joys, sorrows, big life transitions and ordinary moments of your life, helping you be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The director reflects back things you have said, asks questions and witnesses what is coming up for you - your thoughts, feelings and your ongoing self- discovery about your false selves and your true self as God enables your soul to emerge from hiding like a crab coming out of its shell.

—————————————————————————————-

Visit the contact page to get in touch with Rowena