Recently I had the chance to talk with Becky Eldredge about various Ignatian themes. Becky is the Partner Program Coordinator for Charis Ministries, a blogger at dotMagis, and a new spiritual director. In this video, Becky talks about why she got into spiritual direction and the importance of being a “holy listener.”
If you’re receiving this via e-mail, click through to watch the video Becky Eldredge on Spiritual Direction.
Share this:
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting. I suspect you need to be a certain type of person to “listen” and not “guide”. Characteristics of the former and latter personality are not always mutually exclusive but too often are
Simon, not at all! We are each born with 2 ears and made in the image of God, the best listener of all! It only takes a little adjustment to go out of ourselves and our worries about what people are thinking of us and focus on the image of Christ in front of us…I am sure you have it!
I have had spiritual direction before, and I just began again – and I agree that “holy listening” is a much better descriptor.
How lovely to “meet” Becky here; I loved watching this video.
Fran, it is nice to “meet” you here. I have come across your blog many times via Googling God! I pray that your time with your “holy listener” is fruitful!
Gosh, thank you Becky – Mike Hayes is a good friend of mine.
This is a delightful invitation to listen with someone else for God’s voice!
I loved listening to/watching this. So often we think of the spiritual director as someone elderly, gaunt, and humorless, directing someone toward an impossibly ascetic life. How wonderful to see a young and charming director so enthusiastic about accompanying young people in their real-life searches for God!
Robin, I have to admit, I had to work through a similar image of a director to fully accept my own call to be a spiritual director. Journeying with others has shown me that it is not so much who is the listener because the Holy Spirit has the main role! Thank you for your encouragement! There are so many young adults out there seeking someone to journey with them.
Thank you for this video. Yes, we all need to know we are listened to and that we exist.
Becky reminds me of a quote about ‘holy listening’:
“Real listening is a kind of prayer, for as we listen, we penetrate through the human ego and hear the Spirit of God, which dwells in the heart of everyone. Real listening is a religious experience. Often, when I have listened deeply to another, I have the same sense of awe as when I have entered into a holy place and communed with the heart of being itself.”
Morton Kelsey
Claire, this is beautiful! I feel God so present in listening to others. Thank you for this quote!
Dear Claire,
Thank you for this quote. It embodies what I feel as I sit with my clients as a pastoral counselor. This was a calling for me and a change in career. I never would have been led to be a therapist if I could not include the Spirit of God in the process. It is an honor to have courageous people come and sit with us while WE “listen” to God in session.
Ellen
Becky, thanks for sharing your perspective on Spiritual Direction. What a blessing for young people to have someone with whom they can share their deepest concerns! This is such a need in our busy society.
I am blessed to have an excellent spiritual director who is certainly a holy listener – a very patient holy listener.
Lynda, you made me laugh — as I read this I suddenly had a cartoon image of an IMpatient spiritual director. I don’t think that too many of us could have one of those.
Oh Robin, I’m glad I made you laugh & you gave me a good laugh when I realized how ridiculous my statement must sound; however, I do expect that it takes lots of extra patience to be my spiritual director!!
Does sound funny.
I know a spiritual director would be such a gift in my life.
Lynda I think i am like you.
The person who walks with me needs lots of patience.
When we did the 19 th annotation I had to finish on my own.
The director and I were not a good match.
All I can say is God has to work overtime in my life.
Lynda,
an update on Jen.
She has had her 4th round of chemo.
The liver surgeon wants to do another procedure on her.
It certainly has been quite a journey.
There is a difference of opinion among the health care professionals.
Lets pray for them. For Jen and her mom.
Her mom is now experiencing health issues.
Thanks for the prayers.
A beautiful conversation about the holiest of places shared in Direction! Bravo and thank you!
I just now say the video/post ( a week late) but how did you train to become a Spiritual Director? I love your description as a holy listener.