Spiritual Direction Or Spiritual Companionship?
Spiritual direction or companionship is an ancient practice found in many of the world's wisdom traditions. I often think of it as a holy encounter with a trustworthy guide who lovingly and gently points you back to "the Sacred"* as you understand it. Spiritual companionship provides a safe place for you to explore and deepen your unique understanding of life within a spiritual context with an experienced, well trained, and compassionate guide.
According to Spiritual Directors International,
"the difference between a spiritual director and a spiritual companion often arises because of training, spiritual tradition or simply an intuitive sense of the practitioner, who chooses the name that he/she/they feel best fits their calling.
Many spiritual directors honor this traditional name for its history and because their training is in spiritual direction. Many spiritual directors also come from a faith tradition where the term can connote certain religious beliefs as well as core ideas of companionship like respect for the agency of the other and honoring contemplative “space” for discernment.
Other people have trained in spiritual direction but prefer to call themselves spiritual companions, spiritual guides, soul friends, anam cara, or give their spiritual care other names." (Source: www.SDICompanions.org)
At The Metta Center, we use these terms interchangeably.
Some examples: Dr. Lundy is a formally trained spiritual director who has been companioning people on their spiritual journeys for over 20 years. The Metta Center trains spiritual directors (companions, guides and other spiritual care professionals) to become Grief Companions.
Because of the nature of the calling and skills needed to serve others as a Grief Companion, The Metta Center requires that each student will have already received some kind of formal spiritual direction, spiritual companionship or spiritual care training. If you have questions about whether the training you’ve had meets our requirements, please contact us for a conversation.
Some examples: Dr. Lundy is a formally trained spiritual director who has been companioning people on their spiritual journeys for over 20 years. The Metta Center trains spiritual directors (companions, guides and other spiritual care professionals) to become Grief Companions.
Because of the nature of the calling and skills needed to serve others as a Grief Companion, The Metta Center requires that each student will have already received some kind of formal spiritual direction, spiritual companionship or spiritual care training. If you have questions about whether the training you’ve had meets our requirements, please contact us for a conversation.