e-Spiritual Direction: How Long, O Lord (Will We Always Be Online)?
Lifestyle, Spirituality
We’re stuck online for now. Are Zoom, Skype, or Doxy the way we’ll do spiritual direction forever? This is the question for spiritual directors and their clients after 10 months of pandemic social distancing. There are pros and cons to the online life, and tricks to doing it with style that I will address here.
Some spiritual directors have decided that working from their home computer via online video has opened a new world for them. Prior to the pandemic, I saw Phoenix clients at a church office and anyone not able to meet in person by Zoom. I am now considering doing all my sessions online, even after the pandemic passes.
Pros:
No Commute. Why should spiritual direction have to involve a commute? Working online shrinks our carbon footprint, saves time and allows both client and director to have a session no matter where they both are at any given time. Some spiritual directors have realized that if they have all online clients, they are able to travel extensively or move to a geographic area that is more suitable for them and not lose a beat.
Comfort Level. I’ve noticed there is a level of comfort for both me and my spiritual director (both introverts!) in being in our own cozy safe space while talking. Same thing for most clients. Once people got used to holding meetings via Zoom, many forgot about any inconveniences and warmed up to the screen. A few things for spiritual directors to keep in mind about working from your computer: consider your background carefully, just as you would consider a brick-and-mortar office. Find a location that is private and well lighted, position a candle where it can be seen, and make sure everything in the camera’s range exudes contemplative and sacred space.
Spiritual director with over 20 years of experience helping people explore their spiritual path. Received Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction in 2000 from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Currently running the Apprentice Training Program in Spiritual Direction for the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction.
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