Art of Spiritual Companioning 3 (DD9204W)

Content

This unit will explore significant spiritual and psychological issues in spiritual companioning as well as the student’s developing sense of commitment to this practice. Students will engage: Assessment of appropriate approaches to companioning; Deepening awareness of connection with inner perception and spiritual influences; Listening to the deeper parts of self and other relational aspects of being attentive; Exploring human experience of transcendence, the divine and mysticism; Creating a safe holding environment for participants in spiritual companioning; psychological dynamics in practice including such elements as transference, countertransference and projection and referral and the role of spiritual companioning in challenging one’s own and broader perspectives to foster authentic spiritual engagement.
In addition, each student will undertake a research project in an area of personal interest in the ministry of spiritual direction.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

*The prerequisite unit for this unit is DD8203W Art of Spiritual Companioning 2 (Formerly named Art of Spiritual Direction 2) or equivalent. *Prohibited combination: Art of Spiritual Companioning 3 and Art of Spiritual Companioning Capstone.

Pedagogy

Lectures, personal reflection, sharing in triad groups, supervised practice and supervised essay writing. A full day Street Retreat and reflection on the experience.

Indicative Bibliography

• = set texts recommended for purchase *
• Ahlberg-Calhoun, A. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, Illinois: IVP, Press, 2005.
• Chittister, J. Scarred by struggle: Transformed by Hope, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.
• Conn, W. Christian Conversion: A Developmental Interpretation of Autonomy and Surrender, New York: Paulist Press, 1986.
• May, Gerald G. Will and Spirit : A Contemplative Psychology. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
• Palmer, P. Let Your Life Speak, San Francisco: John Wiley, 2000
• Soelle, D. The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance, Augsburg: Fortress, 2001.
• Ruffing, Janet K. To Tell the Sacred Tale. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2011.
• Wagner, Nick. Spiritual Direction in Context. Harrisburg, Pa.: Morehouse Pub., 2006. *
• Whitehead, Evelyn Eaton, and James D. Whitehead. Transforming Our Painful Emotions: Spiritual Resources in Anger, Shame, Grief, Fear and Loneliness. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2010.

Assessment