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Spiritual
direction is the process of accompanying people on a
spiritual journey. Spiritual direction exists in a context
that emphasizes growing closer to God (or the holy or a
higher power).
Spiritual
direction explores a deeper relationship with the spiritual
aspect of being human. Simply put, spiritual direction is
helping people tell their sacred stories everyday. Spiritual
direction has emerged in many contexts using language
specific to particular cultural and spiritual traditions.
Describing spiritual direction requires putting words to a
process of fostering a transcendent experience that lies
beyond all names and yet the experience longs to be
articulated and made concrete in everyday living. It is
easier to describe what spiritual direction does than what
spiritual direction is. Spiritual direction helps us learn
how to live in peace, with compassion, promoting justice, as
humble servants of that which lies beyond all names. (Liz
Budd Ellmann, MDiv, Executive Director, Spiritual Directors
International)
Spiritual
direction is the contemplative practice of helping another
person or group to awaken to the mystery called God in all
of life, and to respond to that discovery in a growing
relationship of freedom and commitment. (James Keegan, SJ,
Roman Catholic, USA, on behalf of the 2005 Coordinating
Council of Spiritual Directors International)
Spirituality vs. Religion
Spirituality can be seen as being distinct from religion.
Different world religions have proposed various doctrines
and belief systems about the nature of a God and humanity's
relationship with it. Spirituality, on the other hand,
refers to the common experience behind these various points
of view. It is an experience involving an awareness of and
relationship with something that transcends your personal
self as well as the human order of things. This "something"
has been given various names ("God" being the most popular
in Western Society) and defined in ways that are too
numerous to count. We call it simply as the God. You can
choose to define what that means for yourself in whatever
way feels most appropriate. Your own sense of a God can be
as abstract as "cosmic consciousness" or as down-to-earth as
the beauty of the ocean or mountains. Even if you regard
yourself an agnostic or atheist, you may get a sense of
inspiration from taking a walk in the forest or
contemplating a beautiful sunset. Or a small child's smile
may give you a special sense of joy.
Dr.
Herbert Benson of Harvard University and author of
‘Relaxation Response’ conducted scientific experiments to
determine efficacy of prayer or mantra. Benson believed that
there is no magic to the mantra. He taught people to
meditate using the word one or any other phrase they felt
comfortable. He studied Christians and Jews who pray
regularly. He asked Catholics to use their mantra phrases
such as, "Hail Mary, full of grace" or use the Jesus Prayer.
Jews used the peace greeting, "Shalom" or "Echad," meaning
one. Protestants used the first line of the Lord’s Prayer,
"Our father, who art in heaven," or "Lord is my shepherd,"
the opening of the twenty-third psalm. Initially, all these
mantras worked equally well in invoking the relaxation
response and stimulating the healthful physiological changes
in the body as a result of it. But Benson also found that
those who used the word one or similar simple phrases that
had no particular spiritual meaning did not stick with the
program whereas those who used prayers continued because of
their belief. It has also been scientifically shown that to
be effective, the person using the prayer of mantra has to
have an unqualified faith that it will work. This is
described by the scientists as intrinsic belief,
characterized by profound spiritual commitment, devotion and
quest for a truly transformed life. Thus, religious
component in the spirituality is certainly very useful, and
in fact may be needed, before the full benefits of spiritual
healing can be realized.
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