In search of soul
The soul is always calling, singing her
gentle song of homecoming.
David Elkins
Contemporary spiritual accompaniment
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For those of us who are on the soul journey, contemporary spiritual accompaniment or direction can offer us a safe, accepting and supportive space in which we can tell our sacred stories, explore our journeying and ‘live the questions’ that are meaningful to us. It is a very different experience from the direction, guidance or discipling that people from many spiritual traditions have sought from others over the centuries. For it is essentially non-directive. It is not about one person giving advice, guidance or direction to the other. It is an offering of companionship from a fellow traveller, from someone who is willing to walk alongside us for a while as we seek to find our way home to soul. ​
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You do not have to adhere to a particular spiritual tradition or to be part of a spiritual community to benefit from spiritual companionship. Wherever you may be on your journey and whatever it is you are searching for, setting aside an hour or so every few weeks to attend to your soul journey in this way can be a profoundly growthful experience.
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Finding a spiritual companion
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Finding a trained spiritual companion has not always been easy in the UK. In the past, it has generally only been available to people ‘in the know’ within the various faith traditions such as priests, lay workers and monastics in institutional settings. Most of us have simply been unaware of its existence or have not considered it to be relevant for own spiritual lives. Nowadays, however, spiritual accompaniment is gradually moving out of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples and becoming more widely available to people from all walks of life and all faith backgrounds or none. It has also become much easier to search for someone to work with. Nowadays, many more spiritual companions and directors are setting up their own websites in order to reach a wider number of people so you may want to begin by searching online for spiritual accompaniment, direction or companionship in your area.
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The following organisations hold lists of spiritual companions which you can access online:
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Spiritual Directors International have a free 'Seek and Find Guide' for spiritual directors and companions which covers many countries including the UK. SDI is a global nonprofit organisation that seeks to assist people in accessing contemporary spiritual accompaniment wherever they may live. It holds a list of accompaniers from all over the world and from differing spiritual traditions, many of whom work online.
www.sdiworld.org/find-a-spiritual-director/seek-and-find-guide
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The London Centre for Spiritual Direction publishes a UK wide directory of spiritual directors on its website. This lists not only directors from the Christian tradition but also some from the Jewish tradition. It also lists directors who are prepared to offer spiritual direction by Skype, Facetime and email.
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The Retreat Association can give you the contact details of your closest, local 'list holder' of spiritual directors. These exist in various counties across England. They are either ecumenical or affiliated with a particular Christian tradition such as Catholicism or the Church of England. Most welcome enquirers from all Christian traditions.
www.retreats.org.uk/spiritualdirection.php
I am a qualified and experienced person-centred spiritual companion. Currently, I am able to offer Facetime and WhatsApp sessions, but am also willing to work via Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
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If you would like further information, please email me at
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