Tamara Shantz
Spiritual Direction
Love is our deepest truth...
And yet, somehow, it is so incredibly hard to remember this,
or to really know this
(you know, that deep, know it in my bones kind of knowing).
Our hearts become calloused through the course of life.
We protect ourselves from grief, from pain, from vulnerability, by creating tough layers around the tender flesh of our inner being.
The spiritual journey invites us to begin to notice these thick protective layers,
and to listen for the living heart still beating within.
As a spiritual director, I serve as a companion to this process.
I will accompany you as you become more intimate with how Love is arising within you, how the Spirit is softening your callouses, and drawing you deeper into your true belonging.
I would be honoured to support, guide, and learn alongside you.
Why try Spiritual Direction?
Listening for the Soul
Spiritual Direction sessions are an opportunity to have someone listen deeply for the longings of your soul. It is also a space to practice listening to your own deepest longings and building a relationship with your own inner self.
Discernment and Transition
As we all know, life is full of transitions - whether this be in work, relationships, gender/sexual identity, etc.
Many people seek out a spiritual director when they are in the midst of a transition.
Discernment is the practice of noticing what is leading us deeper into God, fuller life, and greater freedom as we navigate these life transitions.
Exploring Spiritual Practices
You may be looking to go deeper in your spiritual life through being more intentional about prayer, contemplation, and/or spiritual practices. Spiritual Direction is a great place to explore this with support and guidance.
Seeking a Vocation
In the Christian tradition, we talk about vocation as being called by God. Much greater than the invitation to a particular role, vocation attempts to articulate who God has created you to be. You may want to work with a spiritual director to listen in prayer for your own personal vocation. God's name just for you.
Engaging Shifting Beliefs
Like so much of our lives, our beliefs and practices change. Spiritual Direction can offer space to intentionally reflect on what images, ideas, and practices we want to hang on to, and where God/the Sacred may be inviting us into something new.
Longing for Love in Grief
At some point in life, we all find ourselves facing deep grief. For many of us, grief is becoming an every day companion as we face our ongoing climate emergency. Spiritual Direction may be a place to help ground the process of grief in the Presence of Love.
On a day when the wind is perfect,
The sail just needs to open
and the love starts.
Today is such
a day.”
Rumi
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How often do sessions happen?Once a month is typical for spiritual direction sessions, although the frequency of sessions is up to the needs and desires of the individual so can vary from weekly to every few months. Sometimes, for example during a period of discernment, more regular sessions may be helpful.
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Where do we meet?For in person sessions, we will meet at Calvary Memorial United Church in Kitchener (corner of Park and Glasgow). Meeting outdoors is also an option if weather permits! For virtual sessions, I can offer sessions through Zoom, FaceTime, or by phone.
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What does it cost and how do I pay?I use a sliding scale so you can choose what is accessible to you at this time. My range is $70-100. If you would benefit from a subsidized rate, please contact me by email. You can pay by cash, cheque, etransfer (in Canada), or by PayPal (from US).
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What does a spiritual direction session look like?Sessions are one hour in length. I typically begin each session with some kind of grounding practice. This could be an opening silence, guided body meditation, Scripture or poetry, music, or anything that we mutually decide will help you become more present to yourself and the Spirit in this moment. For an initial session, I will send you a number of reflection questions to prepare for our conversation as we begin to get to know each other and what you are seeking in these sessions. But typically, I will simply ask you where you want to begin today and you will take the lead on the conversation. I will listen and ask questions along the way that will hopefully help you move deeper into your reflection. I may also draw your attention to your physical experience – noticing what insight your body might be bringing. And I will frequently return to the question of what it is that your desire. What do you long for from God as you sit with whatever you are experiencing? The session closes with another grounding moment – typically some silence and a short prayer.
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How do I prepare for a direction session?The best preparation is to be open to what arises within the session. I often walk into my own direction sessions planning to talk about one thing to find a totally different topic arising in the opening silence. That being said, taking some time to reflect on the last month, review your journal (if you keep one) or prayer notes, etc., can be a helpful way to prepare.
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How does spiritual direction differ from therapy?While spiritual direction and therapy share a lot in common, the primary purpose is quite distinct. Spiritual direction focuses on the director’s experience of, and relationship to, God, and how this Sacred Presence is acting in their life. We may reflect on similar kinds of life experiences as in therapy but ask different questions. Spiritual direction will always return to “How is God/Love present to you in this? How might the Spirit be inviting you to respond?”