“To ‘listen’ another’s soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another.”

— Douglas Steere, On Listening to One Another

What is Spiritual Direction?

Caring for the soul by nurturing our relationship with God is essential for robust spiritual development in all stages of the life cycle—youth through adulthood. This occurs in the renewal of the whole person: from the inside out. A rich soul life, in continual communion with our God, is how we become transformed with Christ’s reconciling love, enabling us to disrupt unjust systems and embrace our sacred humanity. An ancient spiritual practice of the Desert Mothers and Fathers, spiritual direction–also referred to as “spiritual companionship” or “holy listening”– aims to foster communion and intimacy with God. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together: “Just as love to God begins with listening to [God’s] Word, so the beginning of love for [all people] is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that [God] not only gives us [God’s] Word but also lends us [God’s] ear.” Susan Phillips writes in Candlelight, that “Spiritual directors are servants of the holy, listeners with the job of being attentive to God, with and for the sake of another.”

Spiritual direction allows for a person to deepen their spiritual growth and to look for God’s spark and presence in the mundane, in the joy, and even in the sorrow and desolation that life can bring to our doorstep. This ancient practice is one of the contemplative disciplines and the spiritual director is a companion along the way as the directee shares their own journey. When a person is invited to slow down and notice God, welcome and invite deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit, and then look to discern how the God who knows and loves them wants to be a part of their lives in powerful ways— that is at the heart of spiritual direction.

I typically meet directees on a monthly basis for about an hour. At this point in time Zoom is the preferred method. If you think spiritual direction is an avenue you would like to explore, please get in touch via the “Contact Me” tab and we can discuss further steps.

About Deborah

Deborah A. Lee is an Episcopal priest who graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She is an ecumenical spiritual director in private practice (FierceBeloved, LLC) and also offers spiritual direction with the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Virginia Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. She served as an associate rector at St. Bartholomew’s in Manhattan, as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s in Chester, NY, as assisting priest at Christ Church in Warwick, NY, and was formerly the Program Manager for Pastoral Care and Community at Trinity Church Wall Street. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and served as a mental health counselor and educator, both internationally and within the U.S. She is the author of This Is Another Day: Reflections on Scripture, Faith, and Prayer for Action, published in 2023 by WestBow Press. Deborah is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI) and subscribes to their ethical standards and practices.