WHERE IS GOD MOVING IN YOUR LIFE?
Explore your relationship with God through spiritual direction.
WHAT IS -
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
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Anyone!
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Clergy or people in ministry
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Those “deconstructing” from previously held beliefs
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Those recovering from losses
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Those in the midst of discernment
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Those feeling spiritually dry or lost
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Those who feel outside of community
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Those in the thick of parenting littles, teens, or young adults
Spiritual Direction is the spiritual practice of being accompanied by another who is committed to deeply listening to one’s story and noticing together how God’s mystery is showing up in your everyday life. A Spiritual Director meets the directee's story with compassion and without judgement—the true director being the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Direction is mystical but it is also practical.
In practice, you generally meet with a director once a month and bring whatever life is holding for you at the moment, whether it be mundane or dramatic, painful or joyous, dry or exciting. There may be tears and there will definitely be laughter. It's just fine to swear.
“Spiritual Direction is the practice of Holy Presence and the gift of shared wisdom. The intent is to help us awaken as we journey, so that we can recognize the sacred within and be available to the mystery of purpose that permeates the cosmos.”
- Sherry Bryant Johnson
Below are some links to more information on the SDI Companions:
I AM AN -
HONORED WITNESS
TO YOUR SACRED STORY.
My name is Anna Martinez (she/her), and I am a certified Spiritual Director trained at Christos Center for Spiritual Formation. I also completed the Upper Room Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. I have a Master's of Social Work from the University of Minnesota and a background in youth ministry. My husband of 29 years is a Cuban immigrant, and our kids are fully grown. Our family is diverse and has grown beyond just our biological children. So far, my favorite job has been "Grandma."
I am an Enneagram type 9. My orientation is Christian, but I welcome all - especially those who identify as spiritual but not religious. I know and have experienced that life can be messy. I know and have experienced that faith is evolving. I welcome walking through all of that with directees. And with that, while spiritual direction can sound like a very serious experience, laughter and playfulness are very much a part of who I am - so bring it all!
I am happy to see you in person at my office in Plymouth, MN, or virtually, via Zoom. Sessions are one hour and we generally meet monthly. My first session with a new directee is always free to help discern if this is a good fit for both of us.
If you have any difficulty in scheduling an initial session, please reach out to me at amspiritualdirection@gmail.com.
INFORMATION ABOUT MY -
SERVICES
RECOMMENDED -
RESOURCES
Resources for contemplative Christian practices:
BOOKS:
Reimagining the Ignatian Examen by Mark Thibodeaux
Contemplative Prayer: Praying with the Well Runs Dry by Joann Nesser
A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginners Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads by Kristen E. Vincent
One Breath at a Time: A Skeptics Guide to Christian Meditation by F. Dana Trent
Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson
Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness by Amy Oden
Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Barbara Holmes
Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merril
MOBILE APPS:
Pray As You Go (iOS) (Android)