Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction

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Summary: Learning Spiritual Direction from a Masterful "Amateur"
Review: I am a reader from Argentina and really loved reading the book, which I found to be a very sensible and realistic approach to Spiritual Guidance. I am Roman Catholic, finished a two year chourse on Spiritual directiion and learnt a lot with M. Guenthers' book. She puts into words, in a very simple manner what Spiritual Direction is all about. Her examples are very clear and I found the book so interesting to read. I especially liked chapter 3, where she compares the director to a midwife. I have read many other books on this subject, bun none was so practical as this one.

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Summary: A primer and meditation both on spiritual direction
Review: In "Holy Listening," Episcopal priest and theologian Margaret Guenther explores the ministry of spiritual direction, discussing it from the perspective of hospitality, teaching, midwifery, with a special chapter on women and spiritual diretion. Although she offers plenty of practical advice and suggestions, she avoids didactism, or lecturing. Her use of vignettes and stories are very helpful.

This book is invaluable both for a would-be or practicing director (or so I would imagine), or anyone currently receiving spiritual direction, or interested in pursuing it. In a very gentle, non-judgemental way, Ms. Guenther outlines stages, benefits and limitations of spiritual direction. Her writing style is warm, accessible, and engaging. An excellent resource for this ministry.

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Summary: Do you hear what I hear?
Review: In her slim volume Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction, Episcopal priest and spiritual director Margaret Guenther has provided a jewel of a book for those interested in spiritual direction, and more particularly, for those who are interested in becoming spiritual directors.

Spiritual direction is rather difficult to classify. It is part art, part science, part skill. It bears relations to pastoral care and psychological therapy, but there are important differences. 'Spiritual direction is not psychotherapy nor is it an inexpensive substitute, although the disciplines are compatible and frequently share raw material. Spiritual direction is not pastoral counseling, nor is it to be confused with the mutuality of deep friendships, for it is unashamedly hierarchical.'

This hierarchy is one of the stumbling blocks for many, ironically particularly for those in the clergy. One must have trust in the spiritual director. To be a spiritual director, one must inspire trust, the kind of trust that enables the directee to understand that it is for that one's good that all effort will be focused. 'What a gift to bring to another, the gift of disinterested, loving attention!'

Guenther's first chapter talks about this aspect of trust and attention by likening spirtual direction to a journey. Many spiritual writers have used the metaphor of the journey in the past, so frequently perhaps that it almost becomes an inside joke among some. However, Guenther's exploration of the importance of hospitality toward the stranger on a journey sets a good foundation.

For the spiritual director and the spiritual directee, many aspects of preparation are the same. A respect for silence, an importance placed on attention, and an openness and willingness for questioning are shared aspects. For the one seeking spiritual direction, the necessity for looking beyond books such as this toward a spiritual direction 'in real life' is underscored.

Making the space a safe one is also important for the spiritual director. This requires more than simple confidentiality. It requires a degree of self-control in gauging one's reactions, allowing silence, not adding simple or quick answers, and recognising one's own appearance and tendencies for response.

In the chapter entitled 'Good Teachers', Guenther explores the teaching and learning aspects of spiritual direction. 'So what does the spiritual director teach? In the simplest and also most profound terms, the spiritual director is simultaneously a learner and a teacher of discernment.'

Discernment requires perception and judgment. The spiritual director needs to be open and experienced. The directee needs to be similarly open, and willing to be known and reflective upon the tasks of discernment called forth by the director. Both director and directee must be willing to discover deeper truths about themselves.

Using the example of Jesus as a teacher, and looking as qualities of good teachers, Guenther relates these to the tasks of spiritual direction. Just as teachers sometimes encourage elements of fun and play in their lessons, directors and directees must not get bogged down in a false sense of seriousness that puts a pall on the journey.

Quoting from the spiritual classic, The Cloud of Unknowing, Guenther relates the problem of this approach. The Cloud says of such displays of piety, 'Sometimes their eyes look like the eyes of wounded sheep near death' and goes on to counsel avoidance of the extreme and the eccentric: 'Far better a modest countenance, a calm, composed bearing, and a merry candor'.

Additionally, good teachers question, instill hope, and are willing to evaluate progress. Spiritual guidance may not be graded in the same manner as school work, but if it is to have meaning, there must be a way of evaluating. Finally, good teachers are willing learners. Guenther relates her own experience to being somewhat like Annie Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller: young, inexperienced, with imperfect vision herself, she set off to the do the near impossible.

One particular thing spiritual directors focus upon is the teaching and learning of prayer, and Guenther draws the experience and writing of spiritual leaders in the past. She says of homework she rarely assigns, but frequently suggests. Of course, the dedicated seeker will look forward to such homework and exercises. The task of the spiritual director will then be to test the validity of the experience for the seeker.

In her final two chapters, Guenther brings in her own experience as a woman in spiritual direction, and looks to images in the bible and in life for metaphors for spiritual direction. Drawing form Meister Eckhart and the images of the Hebrew midwifes, she likens spiritual direction to being a midwife for the soul. Drawing on fairly recent spiritual exploration and writing by women in academic and theological research, she looks at some of the particular gifts brought to the task of spiritual direction by women. Women have a greater likelihood to have a natural gift for listening. Also, given that women have been 'outsiders' in clerical and spiritual circles for so much of human history, that can be a gift to those who have similar feelings of being outside, alone, or otherwise different.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who would like a glimpse of what spiritual direction is all about, from the standpoint of a woman who has been personally involved on both sides of the relationship. It is also a good guide for those who are interested in pursuing the vocation of a spiritual director.

Margaret Guenther is an Episcopal priest serving a parish in New York City. She is also on the faculty of General Theological Seminary, teaching topics related to spiritual direction. She is a popular speaker, retreat leader, and recognised as an expert voice in the growing field of spiritual direction.

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Summary: Spiritual Direction IS Holy Listening
Review: The characterization of a spiritual director by the description "Holy Listener" encapsulates the book's central theme. Through the progressive introduction of topics, the author guides the reader to a deeper understanding of the "art" in spiritual direction. Drawing on her own experiences as a spiritual director, the author relates guiding principles for providing spiritual direction from an variety of perspectives. Most insightful is her description of the spiritual director as "a holy listener", a soul-companion, whose heart and presence provides a hospitable haven for "fellow travelers". The experience and wisdom imparted through Margaret Guenther's writing proffers what could be viewed as the depth and breath of the art in spiritual direction. There is much to be gained by contemplating the various perspectives the author provides and in understanding the tremendous privilege it is to serve as a "Holy Listener".

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Direction IS Holy Listening
Review: The characterization of a spiritual director by the description "Holy Listener" encapsulates the book's central theme. Through the progressive introduction of topics, the author guides the reader to a deeper understanding of the "art" in spiritual direction. Drawing on her own experiences as a spiritual director, the author relates guiding principles for providing spiritual direction from an variety of perspectives. Most insightful is her description of the spiritual director as "a holy listener", a soul-companion, whose heart and presence provides a hospitable haven for "fellow travelers". The experience and wisdom imparted through Margaret Guenther's writing proffers what could be viewed as the depth and breath of the art in spiritual direction. There is much to be gained by contemplating the various perspectives the author provides and in understanding the tremendous privilege it is to serve as a "Holy Listener".

Rating:
Summary: Discerning Spiritual direction
Review: This is a great resource for any person seeking information and understanding of their call in spiritual direction (Holy Listening),especially those begining in this ministry. It is an easy read and one that can be understood but also challenging. It does offer time to reflect on their own journey as Margaret tells her story as she proceeds with her ministry. I would highly recommend this book to all clergy and laity alike.

Rating:
Summary: Discerning Spiritual direction
Review: This is a great resource for any person seeking information and understanding of their call in spiritual direction (Holy Listening),especially those begining in this ministry. It is an easy read and one that can be understood but also challenging. It does offer time to reflect on their own journey as Margaret tells her story as she proceeds with her ministry. I would highly recommend this book to all clergy and laity alike.