"The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of a person’s life, to get behind the façade of conventional gestures and attitudes which one presents to the world, and to bring out one’s inner spiritual freedom, one’s inmost truth, which is what we call the likeness of Christ in one’s soul.”

Thomas Merton 

My Journey

I grew up in a family of non-believers in Singapore and did not know Christ. One day, I heard the call of Christ out of the blue, sparking a deep curiosity and prompting my search for Him. As I desired to have the right relationship with God and gave my consent for Him to enter my life, I experienced God uprooting me from darkness and illuminating my path. His guiding hand became evident in an ongoing journey of conversion, healing, renewal, and restoration. 

This journey lifted me from fear and darkness, allowing me to embrace healing and move towards holiness. By saying “Yes” to God, I found the courage to leave my comfortable corporate job and enter a desert experience of nothingness. It was during this purifying journey that my faith deepened. I discovered an innate passion for psychospirituality — a revelation that set me on a new vocational path in psychotherapy and spiritual guidance.

At the same time, I was drawn to Daoist philosophy, especially wuwei—effortless action in harmony with the natural flow (the Dao). Unlike the world’s emphasis on control and striving, which I found draining, wuwei aligns with our innate strengths, echoing the parable of the talents. It resonates with my journey of surrender, trusting God’s grace to guide me efficiently along His path.

By letting go of control, I open space for God’s transformative power and amazing love to shine on me. Paradoxically, surrendering to God’s will has given me true freedom and inner peace. This is the freedom I hope for those I journey with also to find.

                  “A tree is deeply rooted in the ground; strong wind will not bring it down.”

Kelly Tan  

My Favourite Things

Movies & Documentaries

·      The Lord of the Rings
A timeless classic, rich with profound depth and meaning — endlessly reflective and inspiring.

·      Living (2002)
Set in 1953 London, a bureaucrat diagnosed with a terminal illness begins to find purpose in life. Must we wait until our final months to truly start living?

·      Departure (2008) (Japanese)
After his orchestra disbands, cellist Daigo Kobayashi moves back to his hometown and discovers his true calling in preparing the dead for their final rest. Doesn’t life often lead us where we least expect?

·      The Qin Empire (Historical Chinese Drama, 2009)
Set during the Warring States period (475–221 BC), this series portrays the transformation of the impoverished Qin State into a united China under its first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. A moving story of generational survival, sacrifice, and ambition. It made me reflect on the sacrifices of our forefathers for our survival and well-being. What was their driving force? How much are we willing to sacrifice for future generations?

 

Books

  • Falling Upward by Fr. Richard Rohr

  • The Divine Dance by Fr. Richard Rohr

  • The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

  • Homecoming by John Bradshaw