GUIDING
THEOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS
My work is framed by the following theological assumptions adapted from Teresa Blythe, an experienced Spiritual Director.
Theological Assumption #1: The Divine is real and desires a union of love with us.
Whether you prefer the term “God” or some other term for the unseen reality that is the source of all life, we uphold the foundational belief that a creative life force exists; the force is good and desires a two-way relationship of love with us.
Theological Assumption #4:
Spiritual connection is developed through spiritual practice.
When we are in love with a person, we stay connected to that person. The same is true with the Divine. To be in a living, loving relationship with the Source of Life, we need to cultivate that relationship through regular spiritual practice such as prayer, reflection, meditation, fasting, study, and/ or worship.
Theological Assumption #7: We are called into a world in need of great healing.
We encourage the balance between contemplation and action. Discernment is not finished until some action is taken. The journey inward leads us to the journey outward, into this hurting and divided world.
Theological Assumption #2:
We are made for relationship.
This incredible Divine essence we sometimes call God lives in relationship with all of creation. God is not separate from creation but lives and breaths in all creatures, past, present, and future.
Theological Assumption #5:
The mystery we call God is bigger than any religious or spiritual tradition.
We each come from our own religious or spiritual tradition, and our audience does as well. Dogma and doctrine are ways humans within institutions have sought to understand God, and as such, they have their place. We work in a different realm--the realm of what we experience of God, even while understanding that beliefs about God influence one’s experience.
Theological Assumption #3:
All we need is written in our hearts.
“It is not too high or too far away—the word is in your hearts for you to observe.” (Deuteronomy 30: 10-20) We believe the Divine is already at work in the hearts and minds of all people, drawing them closer to love and leading them on a good path. The spiritual practice of discernment—in which people pray and seek holy guidance along their journey—is the practice of trusting that God’s desire for all is written on their hearts for them to observe. The role of a spiritual guide is to help them locate it, honor it, and trust in it.
Theological Assumption #6:
The true director is the Spirit.
This assumption is essential to keeping spiritual guides humble. We may think we know where a person is being led but we don’t know! Your journey is your own. We listen, observe, prompt and ask questions—we allow the Spirit room to do the work.