Spiritual Guidance

Q. What is Spiritual Guidance with a Companion?

A. Companioning is literally ‘breaking bread with,’ so a Spiritual Companion may be thought of as someone who shares the feast of life with you – both by helping you to articulate your spiritual hungers, and by guiding you towards those things that will feed your soul. The focus of this work is the soul’s journey – its deep desires and refreshments, its commitments and longings, its pleasures and pains. Through Spiritual Companioning we come to recognize the lineaments of soul in our life and thus honor the soul’s intentions in everyday affairs.

Clarity, focus, patience, joy, a sense of destiny, peace, satisfaction, greater integrity, renewed energy for dreams and ideals, expression of talents, balance between the inner and outer life, a deepened capacity for compassion, a feeling of being deeply rooted in one’s life – these are all outcomes of being spiritually companioned. Your commitment and willingness to do the work of ‘walking the talk’ makes this possible.

Q. Does my Spiritual Guide need to have the same religious views as I do?

A. No. Spiritual Companioning is not didactic; it is not about preaching or teaching; there is no imposition of beliefs. It is about active listening and reflecting – being a mirror for your soul. Like a good friend, your Spiritual Guide holds his or her own beliefs, while allowing you to hold yours in mutual respect. Most Spiritual Guides follow their own course of directed spiritual guidance, so that when they are with you, they are free to be entirely present to you and your path. Some of the most successful partnerships are between persons of vastly different belief systems, where the contrasts themselves allow the contours of the spirit to stand forth in beautiful relief.

Q. Do I need to believe in God to participate in Spiritual Guidanceg?

A. No. There are many spiritual traditions which are non-theistic: Buddhism, Taoism, Religious Humanism, to name a few. The sacred is a multi-faceted idea which may or may not include a belief in or relationship to God or supreme being.

Q. Who may become a Spiritual Companion?

A. Traditionally, Spiritual Companions, Directors or Guides have been members of religious orders who acted as mentors for lay persons or younger clergy. Today, people from many disciplines are turning to Spiritual Guidance and bringing their special expertise to the calling. You will often find Spiritual Companions who have had training in one of the counseling professions – minister, mediator, therapist, chaplain – or someone whose life experiences have given them a spiritual ripeness which qualifies them to walk with others on the spiritual path. There is a professional association of Spiritual Directors where you can get more information – www.sdi.org.

Q. What does a session of Spiritual Guidance look like?

A. The two basic types of sessions are individual and group. The individual sessions provide the basis for the sharing and exploration that takes place in group meetings. An individual session is usually an hour in length and may include any of the following: prayer, meditation, journaling, dreamwork, active imagination, artwork, poetry, role-playing, creative writing, ritual, conversation, and many other forms of spiritual play/work. The creation of a spiritual biography is usually undertaken at the beginning of a partnership, so that some sense of the soul’s direction, wounds, and personal language becomes clear to both companions. Some companioning is augmented by phone calls or email consultations in addition to the face-to-face meetings. Each style of communication has its own strengths and each partnership can decide what balance works best for them.

Q. What is the frequency and duration of Spiritual Guidance and what are the costs?

A. Most Spiritual Companioning partnerships are entered into for a period of at least six months, with monthly meetings at a minimum. Some partnerships last for years, some for decades, some only for the duration of a spiritual or personal crisis or decision-making period. The precise form of each relationship is arrived at through mutual negotiation and may be altered by mutual consent. Spiritual Companions are offering a valuable service and are compensated for their work through payments for individual sessions; a monthly fee; or by some exchange of goods or services agreeable to both parties.

Q. What makes Spiritual Guidance with Rev. Rebecca unique?

A. Rev. Dr. Rebecca Armstrong is a spiritual humanist and is devoted to affirming and supporting the realization that individual spiritual growth is intertwined with one’s compassionate relationship with the world. She says,

“While I recognize that there are rhythms of engagement and withdrawal from the world, I feel that spiritual isolationism is no longer a viable option for western seekers. I aspire to The Awakened Heart  -- a term pioneered by the late Brother Wayne Teasdale, one of my religious mentors. To awaken the heart I believe in four pillars of soul work: retreat from the daily life in the company of fellow seekers; spiritual companioning in individual and group sessions; pilgrimage; and active engagement in service to the world. The Spiritual Guidance that you will find with me will help you integrate the other three aspects of the program into your life.”

Dr. Armstrong has advanced degrees from the University of Chicago Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. She has been a member of Spiritual Directors International for many years. In addition, she has worked for thirty years with the role of mythology in personal life -- the last 12 years as International OutReach Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation.

Q. How can I begin my involvement with Spiritual Guidance?

A. You may call me directly and set up an appointment to meet, or send me an email. I am happy to invite you to join me in this exciting work, upon which all other work derives its meaning.

Rev. Dr. Rebecca Armstrong