water ceremonyYou’ve probably noticed it.

I’ve eliminated almost all instances of the word “Coaching” from this website, my services, or how I define myself and what I do.

So I wanted to take the time to explain why I’ve decided to embrace and wear the title of “Spiritual Director” and set myself apart from the “coaching” industry as a whole.

First, let’s explain what Spiritual Direction is and what a Spiritual Director does (and this is my own definition).

A basic definition or core aspect of Spiritual Direction is that of companioning another on a journey.  The older Celtic notions of the “Soul Friend” apply to Spiritual Direction.  A Spiritual Director walks beside another person – in tandem – reflecting and illuminating those instances where Spirit/Source/The Universe, or God (whatever definition you have for the Divine) is showing him/her/itself throughout your experience.

It’s not about our own achievement.  We get quiet.  We find the spaces of ease in our life, the spaces of peace, silence, discovery, and clarity that show us that we are CONNECTED to the Divine.  We discover that we are sacred, interdimensional, even cosmic beings.  We go beyond the “niches” that many in the coaching industry place us in.

The Big Four Niches:

  • Getting Paid (Wealth and Money achievement)
  • Getting Laid (Sex, Relationships, Dating)
  • Expensive Hobbies (Achievements/Attainments or the material achievements we feel make us happy)
  • Not Dying (Health, Weight Loss, Longevity, “Beating” aging)

Those niches are heavy.  Plus, they do not describe our fullness in the presence of the Divine in our lives.   Plus, I learned early on that when you want to “HELP” as a coach, it distracts from ones own inner journey.

NOBODY WANTS YOUR ‘HELP’!   You must change first!

soul friendConversations in a Spiritual Direction Session are deeper, more spiritual, more existential.  We explore our relationship to our own consciousness.  We find the places where breakdowns and dismantlements may be happening, and instead of solving or avoiding them, we open and allow our breakdowns to happen as a holy and sacred act of “change ME first.”

The results go beyond the niches of achievement.  We get to be who we came to be on this Earth.  We get to own our courage and witness the third hand of the Divine working in our lives.  We go inward and face ourselves.  A Spiritual Director is a companion in this journey.

But.. Scott.. Do you have Spiritual Direction Training??

As for me, stepping into this “definition” was one of ease and allowing.  I’m embracing all of my training, education, and self-directed inquiry so that I may comfortably call myself a Spiritual Director.  If you get to know me, you’ll find out that I regard degrees and certifications more as “disguises” than “qualifications” to be in the rooms we wish to be.  I’m confident in my qualifications.  This list is just for information – there are no uniform standards of training for Spiritual Directors:

  • A Master of Arts Degree program in Human Development that was 90% self-designed.
    I completed courses entitled Psychological Transformation and the Spiritual Journey, How Can I Keep From Singing?, Art and Spirit in Nature, Creativity and Holistic Health, Grace and Faith, Closing the School of Assassins (a pilgrimage to the School of the Americas protest), Uncovering the Sacred Northland (an exploration of the Waters, Woods, People and Places of Northern Minnesota – plus attending the Sisters of the Earth annual conference), as well as winning the Outstanding Graduate Paper award for my final paper – A River Between:  Scandalous Learning, Grace, and Creative Recovery.
  • Having my own relationship with a Soul Friend conversational companion (for almost a year now) with Rita Roberts (find out more at cosmicfixer.com).
  • Other experiences, trainings, and certifications.
    550 hours of Massage/Bodywork/Energy Healing ongoing training
    A 50 hour Meditation Instructor Certification course
    Four coaching certifications
    Angel Card Reading certification
    A year of professional tarot reading
    20+ years as a Reiki Healing Practitioner and Reiki Master
    10+ years of journaling my dreams and sharing in a local Dream Group
    40 hours of Crisis Counselor training and 2 years work on a suicide crisis line

Like the coaching industry, there is no standard curriculum for Spiritual Directors.  We bring the totality of our unique experience into our practice as we companion others on their spiritual journey.  I may be more of a “Cosmic” Spiritual Director rather than an Ignatian/Catholic or Buddhist practitioner.  However, I share in the tradition that Spiritual Direction is a meditative, reflective, and contemplative doorway into our Soul’s journey of meaning and purpose.

I do identify as a Christian, though not one of “religious” dogma.  The original Celtic Christians knew the value of “Belonging First” before spreading the message of Christ.  As we are, WE BELONG.  What a beautiful departure from our current religious dogma paradigms.

Let’s shatter those paradigms, because I truly believe that we belong to each other.  We are Spirits having an earthly journey – looking for others who share in the journey.

I hope this helps to clarify my shift into Spiritual Direction and what that means to me.

Love to all,
Scott