What is Spiritual accompaniment?

Spiritual accompaniment, sometimes called spiritual direction, is an ancient art that many spiritual traditions have practiced for thousands of years. A spiritual companion is present with you on your spiritual journey, offering a confidential sanctuary in which you can explore your life story and deep questions.

When we speak about our inner life, when we attempt to make meaning by telling our story, we often discover things we were not aware of. Spiritual accompaniment is an opportunity to listen and focus upon your inner aliveness, yearnings, sorrows, and joys. It is about discovering the direction of your true path, and how to pursue that path.

A spiritual companion is a compassionate listener and can reflect back what is being said verbally and non-verbally. I listen to you so that you can hear your own truths.

Spiritual accompaniment is not intended to replace professional counselling or psychotherapy, but sometimes happens alongside therapy.

Who is this for?

Spiritual accompaniment is for everyone who wants to live more than a superficial life, and its benefits are manifold.

• Do you long to integrate spiritual or contemplative practice into daily life?

• Do you want to find alignment between your values and what’s going on in your life?

• Are you an activist or busy parent who needs a place of rest and recharging?

• Do you feel it’s time to let go of some things in mid-life or retirement?

I welcome participants of all spiritual backgrounds and honor all faith traditions. I especially invite you into accompaniment if

• you wander between or outside of traditions,

• you describe yourself as spiritually independent or “spiritual but not religious”,

• you have a “salad-bar spirituality”,

• you feel that you just cannot find what fits you.

Let’s explore together how you can trust yourself to find your own unique path, find your own language for mystery, and create meaningful rituals that support you.

If appropriate to your needs, I can offer mindfulness practices from my 20+ years of Buddhist practice (Vipassana and Soto Zen).

What can you bring to the session?

There are many questions you may like to explore in spiritual accompaniment. Sometimes, finding the right question is more important than finding an answer!

• What makes you come alive? What gives you joy?

• What are your aspirations? What are the values that guide you? Where do you feel stuck?

• What issues in the world do you struggle with? What breaks your heart?

• Is there a part of you that grieves, or seeks healing and wholeness?

• What is your spiritual practice in daily life? Where do you seek stillness, more awareness? Where do you find inner nourishment?

• Are you discerning a major decision in work, relationships, spiritual practice?

• Where do you want to engage and volunteer your service to others?

• Do you have childhood roots in a religion? Do they help or hinder? Do you trust your own journey?

What happens in our time together?

Sessions last for one hour, usually once per month, in person, online or via phone. You will set the agenda and choose what you want to explore together. My role is to walk alongside you and be your witness.

We’ll begin and end with silence or guided meditation, to help us both be grounded in our bodies and arrive in the present moment. I can choose short readings for reflection, or you can bring poems or quotes that are meaningful to you.

You always have a choice of what works best for you. This is your time, an appointment with your inner life.

In accompaniment, there are no goals, no schedule, no prescribed outcomes. I am not there to teach or direct or point you to particular answers. I will always let you set the pace. I will always trust your inner resourcefulness to find your own answers.

How to get started

Once you contact me and express your interest in accompaniment, I will offer you a free meet-and-greet and orientation session of 30 minutes. Preferably we will have a video connection for this session.

If you choose to enter into accompaniment, subsequent sessions can be over the phone or online, until meeting in person is possible again.

Investment

I ask you to consider an initial commitment to 4 sessions over 4-6 months. This is about the time it takes to become familiar with the process and get an impression how this work can support you.

My fee is on a sliding scale between $50 and $90. Please honestly consider what you can afford and the value of our time together, and let your heart tell you what is the right amount. Payment will be via e-transfer on the day of the session.

Take the next step and contact Trudy!