What is spiritual direction?

Faithful people who desire a deeper relationship with God can often benefit from sharing their faith experiences and prayer life in individual or group spiritual direction.On the spiritual journey we often need a companion to walk with us in a prayerful, supportive relationship as we discern God’s will for our life. A spiritual companion, or director, also helps one to become aware of the signs and movements of God's Spirit in daily life.

Individual spiritual direction is a one-to-one relationship between one desiring to deepen his or her relationship with God, and a companion, or director, knowledgeable of the disciplines of prayer and discernment for the spiritual life.

Group spiritual direction is designed to help nurture a community of seekers through monthly gatherings with a facilitator, and through ongoing prayer, witness, and support for devotional life.

Spiritual Direction can be done in person or via 1:1 video media meetings.

Are Humans Hard Wired for God and Religion?

In a 2009 article in Fiona Macrae said,"Religion is part of human nature and our brains are hard wired to believe in God, scientists believe." Here is a link to that article:

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1136482/Brains-hardwired-believe-God-imaginary-friends.html

So, if humans are hard wired for religion, why are we so disappointed with our religious institutions. Why don't we find there what we expect to find?

Spirituality in a time of Religious Decline

Philip Sheldrake argues that the importance of spirituality has grown in contemporary Western culture concurrently with a decline in the importance of religion. (A Brief History of Spirituality, Blackwell 2007) Why do you think spirituality is so important when religion and church membership have declined in their importance? Obviously one can lead a devotional life apart from organized religion but the church used to be the place where one's spirit was raised up and nurtured.