Spiritual Direction: A History

People have been approaching other believers for help for eons. Whomever they approach could respond in different ways. These relationships sometimes develop into mentoring or discipling relationships, but often when we share are troubles with others we get problem-solving, someone trying really hard to listen but not doing it well, or even someone resonating with our experience and telling tales of that time they had something similar happen to them. On rare occasions we find what we are looking for if we are brave enough to continue sharing.

Spiritual direction grew out of believers living in community and looking to each other for support. Sadly, those we look to can't always support us in the ways we need or provide us with a non-judgemental space to share.

May I present a brief history of how spiritual direction came to be formalized...

If you're unfamiliar with church history, you may not have heard of spiritual direction. It's a practice that has been a part of Christian tradition for centuries, and has been used to help people deepen their spiritual lives.

The origins of spiritual direction can be traced back to the early days of Christianity. The first Christians were often referred to as "disciples," which means "learners" or "students." They sought guidance and direction from those who were more experienced in the faith.

Over time, this practice evolved into what we now know as spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is the process of accompanying people on their spiritual journey, helping them to grow closer to God and deepen their relationship with Him.

In the early days of Christianity, spiritual direction was often provided by monks and nuns who lived in monasteries. These men and women were known for their deep spirituality and wisdom, and were sought out by people who wanted guidance in their spiritual lives.

As Christianity spread throughout Europe, spiritual direction became more widely used.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

It was used by both laypeople and clergy, and was seen as an important part of the spiritual life of the church.

During the Middle Ages, spiritual direction took on a more formalized structure. Spiritual directors were often trained in theology and philosophy, and were seen as experts in matters of the soul. They were sought out by kings, queens, and other nobles, as well as by ordinary people.

The Protestant Reformation brought about some changes in the practice of spiritual direction. Protestants emphasized the importance of individual study of the Bible and personal prayer, and this led to a decline in the use of spiritual direction.

However, spiritual direction continued to be practiced in the Catholic Church, and was even formalized in the 16th century with the establishment of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). The Jesuits were known for their spiritual direction, and their methods and practices are still used today.

In the 20th century, spiritual direction began to be embraced by other Christian denominations, including Anglicans, Methodists, and Pentecostals. Today, spiritual direction is seen as an important part of the spiritual life of many Christians, regardless of denomination.

In conclusion, spiritual direction is a practice with a long and rich history in the Christian tradition. It has been used to help people deepen their spiritual lives for centuries, and continues to be an important part of the spiritual journey for many Christians today.