Spiritual Inquiry & Mentoring
Spiritual Mentoring is engaged with exploring what gives meaning to our life. It can also be an exploration of our sense of belonging. Our spirituality can be that aspect of our self that questions deeply, that stands up for what we believe without diminishing the perspectives of others, that seeks balance and harmony, that understands through experience the deep interconnectivity and equality of all of life, and that allows the movement of the heart in the face of suffering. The expressions of our spirituality are unique to each person and are being expressed continuously throughout our life. For some spirituality is part of a religious framework, for others it is not. Our spirituality is an expression of our choices, values, relationships, and our formal or informal spiritual practices. Our spirituality is a unique expression of who we are.
The possibilities of what might be explored within this mentoring relationship are manifold, below are some common themes;
- Exploring a particular aspect of practice
- Exploring blocks to practice
- Exploring existential and ecological concerns
- Questioning previously held beliefs or ideals
- Wondering what your path is
- Our relationship with silence
- Meditation practice
- Integrating spiritual experiences into daily life
- Being with not knowing and uncertainty
- Practicing contemplative awareness
The spiritual path is rarely easy. The questions and challenges along the way stretch and grow us bringing fresh perspectives and balance to our heart-mind. We can be supported on our journey by having someone to inquire with, who can listen with all of the senses and provide a safe supportive space in which to reflect, question, doubt and explore. An alive inquiry into our spirituality is a deepening of our engagement with life; an authentic meeting of our self as part of the web of life, and the freedom of having less self-concern.
Our spiritual path is a journey of the re-awakening of our intuitive wisdom, clarity and compassion. As we awaken to who we truly are we can live with more love, discernment and a greater capacity for life. Our choices can become more conscious and we see that as adults we are responsible for how we live our life. Our spiritual-life journey is as much about letting go as it is about cultivating.
‘Let the beauty we love be what we do’, Rumi
A spiritual mentor is not a spiritual teacher or guru, and is someone who has a depth of practice, relevant experiences and training, and who keeps on participating in the mystery of life. For me this work has grown organically out of my work as a contemplative psychotherapist, and other reflective work with individuals and groups. I was raised a Roman Catholic, and my own spiritual path and practices have a Buddhist orientation and come from an Earth-Centred tradition. I participate in Vision Quests, and since 1998 I have regularly sat Vipassana (Insight) meditation retreats, including 2 month-long silent retreats. I have undertaken formal study of Buddhist teachings through Gaia House’s Dharma Study Programme, and day-to-day the path of relationships and conscious living continue to be great teachers for me.