You don’t need to know what you want to talk about before coming to spiritual direction.

People often arrive at a session unsure of where to begin. There may be something on their mind, a feeling they can’t quite name, or simply a desire to pay attention to their spiritual life.

That uncertainty is welcome. Part of the art of spiritual direction is having someone listen and draw you out a little. This person may notice things you haven’t seen, invite a different perspective, and make room for what God might be saying through your experience.

I’ve been a certified spiritual director since 2008. At the heart of my approach is a desire to offer an accepting presence that expresses and communicates the love of God. I hope that our conversations help you grow in self-acceptance and become more open to being loved.

What Is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction is a relationship in which you explore your life with someone who listens with you for the presence and movement of the Divine.

The word “direction” can create an expectation that someone will tell you what to believe or what to do. That isn’t how I approach it. I see my role as being a discerning presence, listening to what you share while also attending to what may be emerging beneath the surface.

We make room for Spirit in the conversation. Together, we might notice a recurring pattern, explore a belief you’ve carried for years, or sit with a question that deserves more attention.

You bring your experience of “what is” for you in the present moment.

What Happens in a Spiritual Direction Session?

A session might begin with something that happened during your week,  a sense of the divine in your life, or a lack of that sense at this time.

Sometimes you won’t have a particular subject in mind. We can begin there too. Through conversation, silence, and a few questions, something may surface and come to mind.

When You Don’t Know What to Do

If you asked me for advice, like, “What should I do?” I would usually invite you to take a moment and sit with the question.

I wouldn’t rush to offer advice. I might ask:

• What might the divine be saying?
• As you sit with this, do any pictures, words, or emotions come to the surface?
• What loving step might you be invited to take?

We would explore what you are noticing (noticing is the key to contemplation, isn’t it?). An image or feeling doesn’t have to be treated as an answer or an instruction from God. Noticing gives us something to consider with curiosity and discernment.

There may be times when advice is called for, but I want to help you listen and discern for yourself.

What I Mean by Going Deeper

When I talk about going deeper, I mean growing in your capacity to accept and love yourself and becoming more open to the unconditional love of God.

For example, you might notice that you repeatedly judge yourself for needing rest or feel you have to earn other people’s approval. This is an illustration of the kind of pattern we might explore, rather than a story about a particular person.

We could spend time noticing the belief underneath that pattern. What do you assume about yourself? How does that belief affect your ability to receive love?

That kind of exploration needs acceptance. It can be difficult to look honestly at something when you’re afraid of being judged for it. My role is to help create space where you can bring what is true and meet it with compassion.

How Is Spiritual Direction Different from Counselling or Pastoral Advice?

It helps to understand what kind of support you’re looking for. There can be overlap in the subjects you discuss, but the purpose of each relationship matters.

Spiritual Direction and Counselling

Counselling can help you address emotional distress, mental health concerns, relationship difficulties, and patterns that affect daily life. The particular approach depends on the counsellor’s training and your needs.

Spiritual direction centres on your spiritual life and your relationship with the divine. Emotions and relationships often become part of that conversation because they are part of your life.

Spiritual direction does not replace mental health care. You may find it helpful to have both a counsellor and a spiritual director, with each supporting you in a different way.

Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Support

A pastor may offer spiritual care, teaching, guidance, or advice within a faith community. Some pastors are also trained spiritual directors.

In spiritual direction with me, the emphasis is on listening and discernment. Rather than beginning with an answer, we spend time with your experience and consider what God might be inviting you to notice or do.

Being clear about that approach helps you decide whether it is the kind of relationship you want.

Do I Need to Belong to a Church or Have Strong Faith?

Short answer - NO!!! Your doubts, beliefs, and distance from church are all part of your journey. They are welcome in spiritual direction.



You don’t need to resolve your questions before bringing them into the conversation. A changing relationship with church or faith may be precisely what you want space to explore.

I use words such as God, Spirit, and the Divine to describe the presence we are listening for. It matters that we can talk honestly about what those words mean to you, including any difficulty you have with them.

I believe almost anyone can benefit from spiritual direction if they are willing to be honest, open, and willing to try something new. That might mean sitting with a question a little longer or responding to an invitation from the divine and discerning the loving step.

Openness also includes being able to say, “That doesn’t feel right to me.” Your honest response belongs in the conversation.

How Do I Know if Spiritual Direction Is Right for Me?

Spiritual direction may be helpful if you want space to explore questions such as:

• Where is God in what I’m experiencing?
• What keeps me from accepting and loving myself?
• Is there a pattern in my life that I want to understand?
• How is my faith changing?
• What might a loving next step look like?

You may also be drawn to it without having a clear question. Wanting someone to listen with you is a meaningful place to begin.

The relationship matters too. As you consider a spiritual director, notice whether you feel able to speak honestly. Can you express doubt, disagree, or admit that you don’t know? Does the person explain their approach clearly and respect your freedom to discern?

A director’s experience and training matter, along with your sense that there is room for you as you are.

You Can Begin Without Knowing Where It Will Lead

My hope for spiritual direction is that you experience acceptance while becoming more able to recognize and receive the love of God. This has been my own experience of receiving spiritual direction, and I’m deeply grateful for it. It’s also why I want to offer that same space to others.

Sometimes that happens through a conversation that helps you see a familiar struggle differently. Sometimes it begins with silence and a question you’ve never given yourself time to consider.

You can arrive unsure of what to say. We can listen together and see what emerges.

I wish you peace!

~ Rod