Since last September, I have been engaged in a course of study at The Shalem Institute program of Spiritual Guidance. I found myself with a reading list, papers to write, and presentations for my peer associate group to prepare. And, I love it.

What is this program all about? “The Shalem Spiritual Guidance Program is designed to nurture the spiritual heart of those called to the ministry of “holy listening,” known as spiritual direction, spiritual guidance, or spiritual companionship. Begun in 1978, this program was the first to offer both academic resources and experiential support for an ecumenical mix of spiritual directors. Since its inception, the Spiritual Guidance Program has attracted and been enriched by men and women from a wide variety of professions and faith traditions from around the world.”1

What does Shalem mean? Shalem (pronounced “sha-lame”) is named for the Hebrew word meaning whole: to be complete. Scripture tells us to worship God with a lev shalem, or a whole heart.

What is spiritual direction? Perhaps the best place to start in describing this ministry is to say what it is not. First spiritual direction is not psychotherapy nor is it an inexpensive substitute. Spiritual direction is not pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction is not to be confused with mutuality of a deep friendship. I like Margaret Guenther’s basic definition of spiritual direction. She writes that spiritual direction is a “covenanted relationship the director (and the directee) has agreed to put himself aside so that his total attention can be focused on the person sitting in the other chair.” 2 She concludes that this is a gift of loving attention. So it is. This covenanted relationship goes further and deeper keeping in mind that God is really the director. My own spiritual director often reminds me of how I need to keep my eyes open to see God’s hand at work in my life and in our collective lives.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Shalem Institute you can go to their web site at www.shalem.org. If you are interested in exploring spiritual direction, please feel free to talk to me.

1 Shalem Institute’s Website