Spiritual Doula
Non-religious Spiritual Direction
Beyond my literal birth work as a doula and educator, I am currently training as a Spiritual Director, or as I like to call it a "Spiritual Doula." In this same way that I hold a supportive and non-judgmental space that allows birthing people to do the creative work of bringing humans into the world, I am learning how to hold space for people who wish to do the creative work of birthing their own profoundly human and deeply spiritual life.
My own experience of becoming a parent initiated a tremendous shift wherein I began to examine, doubt and seek beyond the religious belief system that I was not only raised and educated in but also worked in vocationally for nearly two decades. Outside of the confines of fundamentalist religion I have discovered a more expansive, authentic rich spirituality which allows me to be both intellectually-honest and deeply connected to all-that-is. You can read more about my story here.
As a Spiritual Doula I seek to offer the space and support for those on a similar journey by providing 1-1 Spiritual Direction and Group Spiritual Direction courses.
Learn more about 1-1 Spiritual Direction
Learn more about Group Spiritual Direction Courses
Hear more about the story of my spiritual journey (to be added - CLICK TO LINK)
Frequently Asked Questions (to be added - CLICK TO LINK)
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I mean by "non-religious"?
Spiritual Direction as a practice has its roots within a religious context, but the support I offer is purposely and distinctly non-religious. I'm training through the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality founded and led by former mega-church pastor turned Humanist Chaplain, Jim Palmer. As he describes Reimagining Spiritual Direction, -
"A growing number of people today have spiritual interests but reject traditional organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. Historically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion. Gradually, the word spiritual came to be associated with the inner realm of thought and experience while the word religious came to be connected with the public realm of membership in a religious institution with official denominational doctrines. There are also a growing number of people who seek support and counsel as a result of suffering spiritual abuse or being damaged through their involvement in fundamentalist and toxic religion."
What do I mean by "Spiritual Direction"?
Again, Jim Palmer describes it -
"Spiritual direction offers a safe, accepting, and non-judgmental space where another human being can be truly seen and heard, and have the freedom to express where they are on their spiritual and life journey. Spiritual direction explores the meaning of one’s life, and supports a person's unique journey toward wholeness, self-actualization and relationship to the sacred or transcendent. In spiritual direction one investigates their inner self, what matters most to them in life, and the root causes of chronic unhappiness and disharmony. In spiritual direction a person has the freedom to determine what "spirituality" means to them, and how to cultivate meaning, happiness and peace in their lives. Spiritual direction encourages and guides a person to strengthen their relationship with themselves, and to find wisdom and answers they seek inside themself. Spiritual direction explores a deeper understanding of the spiritual aspect of being human."
My own experience of becoming a parent initiated a tremendous shift wherein I began to examine, doubt and seek beyond the religious belief system that I was not only raised and educated in but also worked in vocationally for nearly two decades. Outside of the confines of fundamentalist religion I have discovered a more expansive, authentic rich spirituality which allows me to be both intellectually-honest and deeply connected to all-that-is. You can read more about my story here.
As a Spiritual Doula I seek to offer the space and support for those on a similar journey by providing 1-1 Spiritual Direction and Group Spiritual Direction courses.
Learn more about 1-1 Spiritual Direction
Learn more about Group Spiritual Direction Courses
Hear more about the story of my spiritual journey (to be added - CLICK TO LINK)
Frequently Asked Questions (to be added - CLICK TO LINK)
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I mean by "non-religious"?
Spiritual Direction as a practice has its roots within a religious context, but the support I offer is purposely and distinctly non-religious. I'm training through the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality founded and led by former mega-church pastor turned Humanist Chaplain, Jim Palmer. As he describes Reimagining Spiritual Direction, -
"A growing number of people today have spiritual interests but reject traditional organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. Historically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion. Gradually, the word spiritual came to be associated with the inner realm of thought and experience while the word religious came to be connected with the public realm of membership in a religious institution with official denominational doctrines. There are also a growing number of people who seek support and counsel as a result of suffering spiritual abuse or being damaged through their involvement in fundamentalist and toxic religion."
What do I mean by "Spiritual Direction"?
Again, Jim Palmer describes it -
"Spiritual direction offers a safe, accepting, and non-judgmental space where another human being can be truly seen and heard, and have the freedom to express where they are on their spiritual and life journey. Spiritual direction explores the meaning of one’s life, and supports a person's unique journey toward wholeness, self-actualization and relationship to the sacred or transcendent. In spiritual direction one investigates their inner self, what matters most to them in life, and the root causes of chronic unhappiness and disharmony. In spiritual direction a person has the freedom to determine what "spirituality" means to them, and how to cultivate meaning, happiness and peace in their lives. Spiritual direction encourages and guides a person to strengthen their relationship with themselves, and to find wisdom and answers they seek inside themself. Spiritual direction explores a deeper understanding of the spiritual aspect of being human."