Seeking God Together

Group Spiritual direction, as indicated by its name, is a process in which people gather together regularly to assist one another in their ongoing awareness of God. It is a form of companioning led by a spiritual director who is the facilitator, who models & teaches the group new ways to respond to the Holy Spirit as they listen and respond to someone's spiritual journey in community. Each group meeting contains specific movements that are repeated each session: an introduction or teaching time, guided meditation, silence, sharing, companioning (if the sharer desires that), & prayer.  The facilitator also keeps time and discerns group dynamics, helping participants relax into a space tailor-made for them. From Alice Fryling's book Seeking God Together, "The purpose of group Spiritual direction is to provide a place where individuals can experience what it means to be listened to and loved by others, so that they can learn to listen more attentively to God in their daily lives and be used by God to spread God's grace and love throughout the world." Group Spiritual direction, as in individual direction, is a confidential space, and confidentiality agreements are made beforehand with each participant.