I was thinking this morning about another difference between spiritual direction and therapy or coaching. The Tetlow/Ackels 12 week guide to the spiritual exercises begins by reminding the pilgrim that "St. Catherine of Siena wrote that there is a room in each one's heart where no man, no woman, no devil, no angel can go." Many of us think of that as the inside room of the heart -- but as I was reading, I started wondering what that space really looks like? Can you close your eyes and envision that sacred space in your own life? Where is the space that is only for you and all that is Holy?
So true confession -- when I first did the spiritual exercises, I had a pretty awesome space that I imagined for this -- it was out in the desert, a bit of hut, fire burning, door open -- safe but permeable. Good spiritual director stuff.
What did I see when I closed my eyes this morning? Maybe an industrial sort of storage space -- empty except for a few boxes. Yikes! The insight for me was that the "front room" of my life is beginning to infect that private space -- the crushing dailyness and overwork -- time to redecorate -- or at least get better lighting.
Therapy and coaching are more about the rooms of our life that others come in and out of -- where one can have goals, or unwanted visitors, or just need a good lock for some of the doors :). Spiritual direction is about tending that private space, where our deepest desires are housed -- where we connect with what is most true and sacred. This morning, take a few minutes and imagine that space -- be honest. Even florescent lighting in the God space can be the exact invitation one needs to change.
—Alison Umminger Mattison
