Spiritual direction
What is a spiritual direction session like?
During the first session I’d like to hear what’s happening in your life right now, whether or not you have a prayer life, and any experiences you might have from retreats. As preparation for our time together it is an advantage to have done the Ignatian examen also known as the loving review of the day for a week or so. See information below. Remember to journal the thoughts that arise during your examen.
As director I listen, observe, and ask questions as to where God is active in your life. If you like, when our time together is over I will suggest a Bible meditation, a text or something else that you might pray over/with. What I suggest follows naturally from our conversation. What you say is held in strict confidence.
I give direct people of all Christian denominations, not only Catholics.
A conversation lasts an hour. The first session is free of charge, subsequent sessions cost DKK 250, or a bit less than 35 Euros or USD. I live in Copenhagen, Denmark, but can direct you where ever you live using Skype, Zoom, etc.
A loving review of the day
The Ignatian examen
Together with God you look back over the day that has passed. Here is a very simple version of the examen based on the book, “Sleeping with bread” by Dennis and Matthew Linn, and Sheila Fabricant Linn.
Fiind a quiet place. Sit down, and relax. Ask God to to send you light so you can see where God has been with you today. Thank God, and turn your thoughts inwards.
What moment today am I most grateful for?
What moment today am I least grateful for?
What was the high point of the day?
What was the low point of the day?
What was the strongest feeling of the day?
Now take a moment and think about tomorrow. Which challenges, what good things are you expecting the day to bring? Bring your examen to a close, and thank God for the time you have spent together.
There are many ways to pray the examen. In his book, “Reimagining the Ignatian Examen” Mark Thibodeaux SJ provides over 30 suggestions for how to pray an examen. The most important thing is to do it, and to keep a record of what you discover.