Getting Spiritual Directions - Finding A Good Teacher

By Author: Todd Dawson
Total Articles: 44
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The desire to get spiritual direction at a certain point in life is quite natural. And, the best place to seek for the same is a retreat center. But, locating a reliable and caring teacher is not an easy job. The insights given below will be of advantage to you if you are looking for a spiritual guide.
Locating a teacher for spiritual directions
Do the following to make sure that you get a well-experienced teacher as your guide.
1. Ask God for guidance
Your first stop when looking for a spiritual director is God himself. Spend some time in prayer for a few days. Reflect on why you need spiritual direction. You can also note down the insights you gain from your conversation with God. This will give you an idea of the kind of guidance you need. At the end of it, pray a bit more so that you are able to get a reliable teacher.
2. Seek recommendations
It is true that choosing a spiritual guide is a personal choice. Still, you will benefit a lot if you discuss your desire with friends and family. Approach the retreat center in your area. If it has the sort of person you want as a director, well ...
... and good. Staying for a few days or a weekend in a retreat center and seeking guidance from a teacher is the most practical thing you can do. The expert will be able to understand your personal requirements and suggest a routine or strategy as per your requirements.
3. Your level of comfort
If your choice falls on a retreat facility, you will be there for a few days. For this reason, you should be able to communicate well with your teacher. In fact, you should face no difficulty to communicate at an eye level. The expert should treat you as a friend, not as a subordinate.
4. Don’t confuse between counseling and direction
This is a bad trend prevalent in the country nowadays. People flock to everyone who claims to have some sort of a power. But, know that counseling is entirely different from direction. Contacting the priest in your area will help a lot in this regard.
5. Price
This perhaps is the first concern you have to address when looking for a teacher. It does not cause any trouble in a retreat center. Most of the centers offer you two options; self-organized or directed retreats. You can go for the one you feel will work for you.
6. Knowledge
The director of your choice should be well-versed in almost all the aspects of your faith. He/she should answer your questions regarding morality, perfection and everything related to them. A degree in psychology should be considered to be an added advantage. This will help the person understand you and offer specific instructions.
The easiest option available is to go to a renowned retreat center. If the choice is made careful, you will definitely get the services of a well-experienced and knowledgeable teacher. Getting spiritual directions is simple; know what you want and accept good advice.
Check spiritual directions at Franciscan Retreat Center at Old Mission at Oceanside, CA. If you are interested more info find at this webpage.