Year One
Spiritual Direction Training
Kairos School of Spiritual Formation provides a two year program of Contemplative Spiritual Direction training which includes required readings, assignments and reports. Each student is expected to be engaged in directing other persons, as well as receiving spiritual direction while in the program. Peer supervision is a key element of the learning process.This training builds on and deepens other spiritual disciplines. Thus it is important that those coming into this program have a well-rounded foundation in spiritual formation, and are men and women on a sincere journey of prayer. Although this is an intense program of learning, the training builds on the simpicity of a contemplative life. Periods of silence are encouraged. Sharing one's experience of the movement of God out of the silence and regular times for prayer and worship enrich the training.
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual Direction is about holy listening, presence and attentiveness. (M. Gunther)Spiritual Direction is an ancient form of strengthening and encouraging one another in Christ (Hebrews 3:13-14) dating back to the desert Mothers and Fathers. It is a process where we become more aware of God's presence and activity in our lives, and learn to respond with our whole being--head, heart, body, and soul. It is directive only in so far as the director and directee attend to the movement (e.g. direction) of the Holy Spirit in the directee's life.
Spiritual direction is a reflective and evocative experiential mode of being with directees as they attend to God's activity in theirs lives and prayer. The contemplative mode helps directees follow God's movement to its deepest place, on the midst of life's ordinary and extraordinary chaos.
Description of training
The art and practice of spiritual direction is learned by:- Contemplation of the Holy
- Study of the literature
- Experience of spiritual guidance both as director and directee
- Reflection on and discussion of assigned readings
- Participation in verbatims, practicum and supervision
- Theological reflection on the readings, discussions and personal experience
Objectives
- Growth in understanding the ways of God in human experience
- Develop skills for spiritual direction
- Acquire resources for spiritual guidance in the life of the congregation
Themes
- History of Spiritual Direction
- Introduction to Spiritual Guidance
- Attending to the "God-Person" Relationship
- Attending to the "Director-Directee" Relationship
- Skills of Attending
- Discernment
- Spiritual Direction & a Counseling Agenda
- Human Formation
- Spiritual Direction & "Dark Night" Experiences
- The Spiritual Disciplines & Spiritual Direction
- Spiritual Direction for Women
- Spiritual Direction for Men
- Group Spiritual Direction
- Spiritual Direction and Congregational Life
- Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
A spiritual director companions another to explore, Who is God for me and who am I for God? (W. Barry and W. Connolly)
Opportunities at Kairos
Weekday Classes: This class meets during the week for one week each month. Classes begin on Wednesday evenings and continue through Friday noon. Registration is currently open for this class!Weekend Classes: This class meets during the weekend for one week each month. Classes begin on Friday evenings and continue through Sunday noon. Kairos will accept applications for the Spiritual Direction Training class of 2009-2011 beginning in the summer of 2009.