Guest Blogger, Dr. Ann Randerson
In my last post, I wrote about my walk through my local park on Whitsun Monday for some fresh air and inspiration. Nature is a healthy alternative to combat stress and fatigue and it nourishes my soul. I wrote about the obstacles, inspirations and insights I experienced on this walk.
In our capacity as spiritual directors, we help our clients, those receiving spiritual direction and allies, understand the spiritual meaning that permeates their lives, including any obstacles that may suddenly arise. We do our best to provide sacred space and quiet, contemplative moments to help our clients find discernment for their most important questions. During a spiritual direction session, a brief moment of grace of God’s light and love may illuminate a client’s thought process, helping them understand what they should or should not do at any given moment. Sometimes, all that is needed is a moment of silence and reflection.
In our work, even in online sessions, we strive to provide our clients with a safe and accessible space to help them understand the most pressing issues that arise in their spiritual, professional, or personal lives. For this reason, we typically adopt the specific terminology that our clients choose to refer to God as, for example, God, Holy Source of Wisdom, etc. Also, like many of my colleagues, I respect the fact that some of my clients do not want to identify with theistic terminology or ideology.
Insight and reflection, along with a great deal of patience, can help us decide what is right for ourselves and our loved ones—whether to act, react, and respond according to what we feel deep inside, what we’re feeling in the moment, and what presents itself along the way. But despite the best intentions and planning, sometimes things can unexpectedly get derailed, like my father-in-law’s heart attack and sudden memory loss and the strain it put on the whole family, especially his wife, who unexpectedly and constantly assumed the role of caregiver.
Just last week, two of my friends experienced great loss through chronic illness and the sudden death of a spouse. It is so difficult to overcome the shock, pain and grief that comes with such devastating times. Illness, accidents and death are events most of us don’t want to experience or talk about, but they will happen to most of us or our loved ones at some point. Such is life. But despite the intense sadness and grief that comes from loss, life is still beautiful. That’s why it’s important to remember to cherish the moments and things we have, like the tall grass and fragrant flowers of spring.
I am grateful for the inspiration I received in the park on Whitsun Monday. As I sit at my computer and type these words, admiring the lush grass and wildflowers blooming there, I hope this glimpse of my life in Belgium resonates with you. I wish you and your loved ones peace and good health.
Many thanks to Teresa Blythe for the opportunity to contribute to Spiritual Direction 101.
Dr. Ann Randerson She will graduate from the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction Apprenticeship Training Program in January 2024. She lives in Brussels, Belgium. She is a spiritual director, author, mindfulness-based transition coach, teacher of contemplative practice and creative expression, and a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI). In 2003, Anne completed her PhD from Spiritual Directors International. Human Life Studies After six years of research in northern Japan, she wrote the following paper: Human Lifestyle and Sensitivity to Nature: A Comparative Study of Japan and the West from a Religious PerspectiveAnne has lived in five countries, speaks six languages, and currently offers online sessions to spiritual leaders of different faiths, cultures, languages, and backgrounds, particularly welcoming individuals from LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse (including ADHD), global and creative communities, and those facing chronic illness, grief, and loss. Anne also hosts interfaith group spiritual guidance, meditative nature-based retreats, and will soon be leading an international pilgrimage. To contact Anne, please visit: https://evocativesoul.com or email: info@evocativesoul.com.
Source: Spiritual Direction 101 – www.patheos.com
