“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” -St. Augustine’s Confessions
I was first introduced to spiritual direction over 15 years ago in the context of my post-secondary studies. Receiving spiritual direction as a small learning-cohort was a degree requirement but I remember noticing, from the beginning, that it nourished a part of me that I didn’t know contained such longings. The school’s spiritual director lit a candle, led us in a short prayer, lingered in the silence, and then slowly proceeded to ask compassionate and careful questions. It was over a decade later, during a particularly disorienting time in my life, that I longed for these rhythms again. One of my favourite spiritual directors, Eugene Peterson, once described it as a lost art in pastoral care:
“It is easier to find guides, someone to tell you what to do, than someone to be with you in a discerning, prayerful companionship as you work it out yourself. This is what spiritual direction is.”
Silence, prayer, generous listening, compassionate questions, an unhurried pace—these are all hallmarks of spiritual direction that have become profoundly significant in my own journey of faith and spiritual formation. Jesuit preacher Fr. Walter Burghardt, described contemplative prayer as,
“A long and loving look at the real.”
In a similar way, spiritual direction has been a spacious and safe place to bring my real life and current experience of God into a conversation with God. While it may have some similarities to therapeutic counselling, one of the core differences is that spiritual direction doesn’t come with an agenda to ‘fix or solve’ rather, it is a tender ‘bearing witness’ and companionship in your present-day experience of God.
We live in a cultural climate that is fast-paced, cluttered, and noisy. Spiritual direction cultivates a slowness of pace that gives space for the directee to notice and name the movements and invitations of the Trinity in their own life:
“The end isn’t silence and solitude; it’s to come back to God and our true selves.” -John Mark Comer
I have found that spiritual direction is meant to be a journey over a long period of time; however, it can be particularly significant in fostering discernment throughout life decisions and/or navigating seasons of loss, grief, and change.
Personally, I also hold the unique experience of living cross-culturally during my childhood and adolescence. In the context of spiritual direction, I have found this experience has also offered a meaningful understanding when connecting with individuals who also identify as TCKs (third culture kids) or are transitioning and re-entering their home culture after a significant time overseas.
A typical session will be 50 min-1 hour and from time to time, I may bring a contemplative practice (Lectio Divina, the Examen, or a short liturgy). None of them are ‘mandatory’ but are often helpful in becoming aware of and articulating your current life with God.
A few details to note:
-I have a Masters of Ministry through St. Stephen’s University and in April 2023 I completed my 2-year training in Spiritual Direction through Sustainable Faith and have been offering individual sessions of spiritual direction since. I am engaged in monthly peer-supervision with a small group of local spiritual directors. I offer spiritual direction in person (local to Edmonton and the surrounding area) and online (primarily through Zoom).
-I am a current member of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association (ESDA)
-With a desire to keep this type of care accessible, I offer spiritual direction with a sliding-scale payment option. My recommendation is that you commit to meeting monthly.
-I also offer community and individual retreats.
If you would like more information or to book a session, I welcome you to reach out at erika.kobewka@gmail.com.
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