Spiritual Direction is an ancient form of tending to one’s deepening journey towards full communion with God. Spiritual Direction is a form of soul care in which one draws attention to God’s activity and mystery in the lives of both director and directee.
Spiritual Direction is a prayerful reflection in which we bear witness to the orientation, disorientation and reorientation that we all experience in life.
Seeking the Spirit Within (in partnership with the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA) seeks to respond to an increasing request for spiritual direction, formation and retreats by preparing those who are responding to a call from God for this ministry.
In the spirit of Jesus Christ who welcomes all, we honor the journeys of all seekers and those with whom we will serve in this ministry.
YEAR
ONE
Seeking the Spirit Within Oneself
Year 1 invites the adult learner to grow and develop into a deeper sense of Self and a deeper awareness of the Divine. Before we attend to others on their journey, we must first be more attuned to our own health and sense of self.
Through superb reading materials, collective and personal practices, journaling and online discourse we foster an environment for safety and exploration of God and self.
Each participant will be provided an StSW-certified director who partners with them on the journey through the program.
It will be a common practice for each student to upload a 1-2 page reflection each month on the various aspects of work we do together (reading, shared reflections and formative Q&A’s). Book and other Summary Reflections generally take under 1 hour to complete.
While this program is robust it is also designed for sustainability and personal investment! Required reading is not merely receiving and disseminating information, but rather, formation and openness to wisdom.
01
First Semester: Knowing Self, Knowing Spirit
“In order to know God we must first know ourselves.” Pre-Constantinian followers of Jesus taught that our journey towards greater God-awareness is never separate from our knowledge and awareness of our own self – body, heart and mind.
Semester 1 invites each participant to increase their capacity to experience the infinite presence of God while also learning more deeply about one’s self.
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We will also study various mystics and their teachings for pathways to greater God-awareness.
02
Year One Summit Experience
In the Spring of the first two school years (specific dates TBA each year), we will meet at the Benedictine Mission House (St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, NE) for a 4-night/3-day retreat. From Thursday through Sunday we will engage cohorts with in-depth teachings, group formative experiences, spiritual direction practices and personal discernment coaching.
03
Second Semester: God-Awareness and Self-Identity
In this semester, we explore the Enneagram – not only as typology but as 9 pathways to greater Presence – body, heart and mind. We also study the works of inter- and intra-psycho/spiritual works of Dr. David Benner and Dr. Curt Thompson, as well as the Stages of Faith according to the book: The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich
Cost for Year 1 is $2950
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$2950 is due in two installments. The first installment of $1475 is due September 1 prior to your cohort's first meeting.
The second installment of $1475 is due March 1.
The first installment is due prior to your cohort’s first meeting.
Other Cost Information:
Books, Spiritual Direction, transportation are not included. Each cohort will receive lodging and food information for their particular site from program directors.
YEAR
TWO
Seeking the Spirit Within One Another
Year 2 invites the adult learner to discern and explore the ministries of Spiritual Direction and Guidance. From the overflow of tending to one’s own self, we can then turn towards ‘the other’ and care for them on their journey.
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Year 2 enlarge the orientation of the program to help the learner expand their soul care practices with those they will tend to during- and post-certification. The student acquires greater skills in listening, empathy, patience (letting go of “personal goals” for the other), and loving-kindness towards those who’ve entrusted themselves into your care.
Through prolific reading materials, collective and personal practices, journaling and online discourse we explore the art of being a good listener and the importance of healthy practices of being present to others on their journey.
RECEIVING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Student agrees to continue meeting monthly with their own spiritual director. Each participant will be provided an StSW-certified director who partners with them on the journey through the program.
OFFERING DIRECTION
(Second Semester)
Spiritual direction training programs require at least 10 sessions of offering direction over year two of training. However, this program functions differently. After you complete the first semester of Year 2, you are then expected to offer direction (we suggest free of charge) to 2-3 directees per month for the rest of Year 2 and into the summer. Commitment to this stage is critical to your development!
It will be a common practice for each student to upload a 1-2 page reflection each month on the various aspects of work we do together (reading, shared reflections and formative Q&A’s). Book and other Summary Reflections generally take under 1 hour to complete.
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While this program is robust it is also designed for sustainability and personal investment!
Costs and Overview:
Cost for Year 2 is $2950
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$2950 is due in two installments. The first installment of $1475 is due September 1 prior to your cohort's first meeting. The second installment of $1475 is due March 1.
The Spring of year two there is another Summit Experience at the Benedictine Monastery. Specific dates will be announced in advance.
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Other Cost Information
Books, Spiritual Direction, transportation are not included. Each cohort will receive lodging and food information for their particular site from program directors.
YEAR
THREE
Seeking the Spirit in One's World
Once Years 1 and 2 are completed, we enter Year 3. Year 3 is unique to other Spiritual Direction training programs as we help you discern your path forward - whether becoming a Spiritual Director or a Spiritual Guide.
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Spiritual Guidance is for those who are called to bring and be a greater empathic presence in the world no matter vocation or ministry call. Both tracks will receive equal coaching in the process. The third year in general and the Guidance track specifically is also designed to help bring a missional sense of clarity to the future of one’s practice.
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The cost for this school year is $2000
$2000 is due in two installments. The first installment of $1000 is due September 1 and the second installment of $1000 is due March 1.
Ignatian Spirituality
Students will walk through The Ignatian Adventure with an Ignatian spiritual director. Students will also read books in alignment with where an individual feels called to go: Spiritual Direction or as a Spiritual Guide.
Receiving Direction
Student will continue meeting monthly with StSW-provided spiritual director.
Offering Direction
Students will continue meeting with directees (regardless of which track you are opting for). Our suggestion is to continue offering this act of service free-of-charge to those you are working with! With humility and kindness, you are learning and offering this art-form to those you are working with.
Year 3 will require 10-15 sessions with verbatims and reflections.
Receiving Direction and Guidance as a Spiritual Director
The standard requirement is to receive 10 supervised sessions over the course of two years, and this is a primary feature of our Year 3 experience. Our approach to this form of supervision is contemplative in nature. Together, we give special attention to interior movements that hinder us from offering direction and interior movements that are important for listening to and discerning God’s voice within.