Beginning and Advanced Spiritual Directors

Since the 1970s, there has been resurgence in the practice ofspiritual direction. A significant number of people worldwide arediscerning their call to this work. Now, a few decades later, thereare effectively two groups of spiritual directors: those beginningtheir practice, and those who are advanced well beyond theirinitial formation and early practice. This book explores thesimilar and different developmental influences that shape thepractice of beginning and advanced spiritual directors. It findsthat the similarities and differences in the influences that shapetheir practice revolve around two key developmental influencesnamely, the capacity of directors to adopt a contemplative stanceto their directees, and their ability to be aware contextually ofthe factors that fashion the dynamic of accompaniment. While bothinfluences shape beginning and advanced directors, the formerimpacts more on the practice of beginning directors and the lattermore affects advanced directors. The application of these findingsis significant for those involved with the initial and ongoingformation of directors, and their professional associations.