The Gift of Spiritual Direction

It is a truism that we live in a time of renewed spiritual self-search and reflection -- the response, some suggest, to a feeling of meaninglessness or superficiality in one's spiritual life. Many people search for someone who will listen, guide, and encourage them -- but entrusting one's very soulcare to another calls for a gifted guide. Written for all those who in any way are involved in spiritual direction and pastoral care, or wish to prepare for the same, Stinissen's book discusses the qualities essential for such counselors/advisers and is meant to renew and strengthen the Church's role as a primary source for meaningful spiritual "therapy." Among the themes explored are listening; dialogue; false and real feelings of guilt; difficulties in prayer; discerning God's will. "Every person longs to be able to expose himself to another human being in his full reality, " writes Stinissen, "with his light and his darkness, and to be accepted and loved just as he is." To that end he emphasizes the important role and responsibility of a spiritual director or "soul friend." In addition to reflecting on specific qualities or qualifications of the director, Stinissen discusses some of the specific questions a director is likely to be asked by the directae and helpful ways of responding in various situations.