Someone asked what the letters CSD stand for after my name. CSD is the acronym for Certified Spiritual Director. And what is a Spiritual Director, you may ask?

A spiritual director is not a mentor, counselor, coach, psychologist, pastoral counselor, or teacher. A spiritual director is someone who journeys with you in your spiritual journey and is intuitive, through prayer and deep listening, of the Holy Spirit. A fundamental question to explore the answer to when in a spiritual direction session is “Where do you see God amid your circumstances?”

These director/directee relationships can be as brief as two to three one-hour sessions or as long as the directee feels the need to meet. Boundaries and expectations are set before the director/directee relationship contract. Spiritual directors also have spiritual directors that journey alongside them.

I share a poem by St. Teresa of Avila titled Clarity is Freedom. My spiritual director and supervisor shared this poem in a group session for spiritual directors to which I belong.

Clarity Is Freedom

I had tea yesterday with a great theologian,

and he asked me,

“What is your experience of God’s will?”

I liked that question –

for the distillation of thought hones thought in others.

Clarity, I know, is freedom.

What is my experience of God’s will?

Everyone is a traveler.  Most all need lodging, food,

and clothes.

I let enter my mouth what will enrich me.  I wear what

will make my eye content,

I sleep where I will

wake with the

strength to

deeply

love

all my mind can

hold.

What is God’s will for a wing?

Every bird knows

this.

– St. Teresa of Avila

Translation by Daniel Landinsky

Before reading the poem, the spiritual director invites us to reflect on the words read aloud and to notice the words that stand out or stir some movement or feeling in us. After listening to the poem, we silently sit with the words or phrases and share our experiences.

You may recall my sharing my father’s recent brain cancer diagnosis and the medical prognosis of life of not more than four to six months. Because of my circumstances, the words that stood out were “What is my experience of God’s will?” and “Clarity is freedom.” As my peers listened attentively to my story, they asked powerful questions that led me to understand why I was feeling the way I was feeling. I then summarized and articulated it in one phrase: “Your will be done, Lord, and miracles welcome.” I know that I have to trust God and in God’s will, and deep down inside, I am hoping for a miracle. And that’s ok, too.

What words or phrases stand out to you from this poem? What emotions, feelings, or uneasiness emerge? Where do you see God amid your circumstances? I am here for you if you want to talk about it, and our conversation is strictly confidential.

 In Christ, 

Pastor Iraida