Spiritual direction is an ancient art that many religious traditions have practiced for thousands of years.

Spiritual direction is a time set apart that occurs individually or with a group. Generally a person meets with a spiritual director once a month, for approximately an hour. Group direction can last for a longer time period.

Spiritual Direction is a time of deep listening, and is not intended to be or replace professional counseling or psychotherapy.

A spiritual direction relationship can last for months, or even years.

Spiritual direction is a holy relationship of care and accompaniment that brings the Spirit of God alive in the here and now, even if God is rarely named.

Spiritual direction is a gift and needs to be available to every person, from any place, religion, nation, gender or socio-economic background.

Some spiritual directors charge a professional fee, others accept free-will offerings, and others make themselves available to whoever calls or arrives at their door.

An excellent spiritual director could be male or female, ordained, religious, or an ordinary person living down the street. God gifts persons with the charism for spiritual direction in God's time, and with mystery.

A person seeking a spiritual director will want to be discerning and prayerfully consider their own intent and desire. Asking a potential spiritual director or guide questions in an initial interview meeting is wise. Some good questions for consideration are posted on the Spiritual Directors International Web site at www.sdiworld.org.

Pegge Bernecker offers spiritual direction face-to-face, and via telephone and written (e-mail). Please contact her for additional details.

“Spiritual discernment is the art of critical attention that is able to recognize the Divine presence in its expected and unexpected forms. The Divine prayer sustains all life; it never ceases, in every place and in every moment its embrace is there.”
–John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes