Spiritual direction, also sometimes called spiritual companionship, supports you in deepening your faith/spiritual life. Despite the word "direction," I am not here to give you directions or tell you what to believe. Rather, I use active listening and thought-provoking questions to help you explore and clarify your belief systems, your values, and your goals. The result is greater self-knowledge, a better grasp of your values and beliefs, deeper discernment abilities, and stronger mastery of your mind.
How does it work?
Typically, spiritual direction is a series of open-ended sessions that are about 90 minutes each in length and take place in an interval of four to eight weeks.
While one of the goals of spiritual direction is the refining of discernment, it is non-judgmental, inclusive, and accepting of all human diversity and all walks of life.
Active listening sessions hold an intentional space for you to voice your thoughts. Primarily, this is about helping you listen to your inner voice by helping you navigate the complex world of thoughts and emotions. Through pointed, clarifying questions, you will discover yourself in a new and unexpected way, opening yourself to find divine directions within.
This is not a psychotherapy or proselytizing session. While it is somewhat similar in format, it differs also from "personal coaching" sessions or pastoral counseling.
Adapted for neurodiversity.
Most spiritual direction sessions in the neurotypical community are in-person, or sometimes over the phone.
Recognizing that computer-mediated communications are often the preferred choice of our community (source), and that in-person or phone sessions could be difficult and potentially anxiety-inducing, Mind Geographic ' spiritual direction sessions are available via Discord, Telegram, or Keybase -- and even by encrypted email (your choice of PGP, ProtonMail, Tutanota, or CTemplar).
Furthermore, you'll be glad to know that you'll be talking with an autistic person, who can relate to your lived experiences. A 2019 scientific study in Scotland confirms what we've vaguely known: there is a form of social intelligence that is specific to autistic people (source).
Privacy and confidentiality matter.
Mind Geographic takes your privacy seriously. To the extent possible, all communications with you will be encrypted. We don't ask for personal information that is not relevant to spiritual direction. In fact, we welcome anonymous* clients. To better protect your privacy and confidentiality, when you make your first appointment, you will be asked to create an "account ID code" consisting of one English or Spanish word and two numerals (example: mountain29) - for the record-keeping purposes you will be known only by this account ID code. Once all fees due have been received and cleared, any information linking your personally-identifiable information and your account ID code will be deleted.
Some neurotypical people may predictably object to this, saying how's that for "personal authenticity"? But we know that the sense of "self" is quite different for us, and we also believe that one can benefit from the creative thinking process even if your name or life story is entirely fictitious--like a work of art is a reflection of the artist's inner state, even a "fiction" will reflect the deep part of who you are.
Frankly, the performative vulnerability only serves to reify ableism and classism.
* Fees must be prepaid upon making an appointment if you elect to be anonymous or otherwise do not provide billing information. Contact us in advance for anonymous payment options.
How does it work?
Typically, spiritual direction is a series of open-ended sessions that are about 90 minutes each in length and take place in an interval of four to eight weeks.
While one of the goals of spiritual direction is the refining of discernment, it is non-judgmental, inclusive, and accepting of all human diversity and all walks of life.
Active listening sessions hold an intentional space for you to voice your thoughts. Primarily, this is about helping you listen to your inner voice by helping you navigate the complex world of thoughts and emotions. Through pointed, clarifying questions, you will discover yourself in a new and unexpected way, opening yourself to find divine directions within.
This is not a psychotherapy or proselytizing session. While it is somewhat similar in format, it differs also from "personal coaching" sessions or pastoral counseling.
- More about how spiritual direction differs from pastoral counseling, "life coaching" or psychotherapy (external link).
Adapted for neurodiversity.
Most spiritual direction sessions in the neurotypical community are in-person, or sometimes over the phone.
Recognizing that computer-mediated communications are often the preferred choice of our community (source), and that in-person or phone sessions could be difficult and potentially anxiety-inducing, Mind Geographic ' spiritual direction sessions are available via Discord, Telegram, or Keybase -- and even by encrypted email (your choice of PGP, ProtonMail, Tutanota, or CTemplar).
Furthermore, you'll be glad to know that you'll be talking with an autistic person, who can relate to your lived experiences. A 2019 scientific study in Scotland confirms what we've vaguely known: there is a form of social intelligence that is specific to autistic people (source).
Privacy and confidentiality matter.
Mind Geographic takes your privacy seriously. To the extent possible, all communications with you will be encrypted. We don't ask for personal information that is not relevant to spiritual direction. In fact, we welcome anonymous* clients. To better protect your privacy and confidentiality, when you make your first appointment, you will be asked to create an "account ID code" consisting of one English or Spanish word and two numerals (example: mountain29) - for the record-keeping purposes you will be known only by this account ID code. Once all fees due have been received and cleared, any information linking your personally-identifiable information and your account ID code will be deleted.
Some neurotypical people may predictably object to this, saying how's that for "personal authenticity"? But we know that the sense of "self" is quite different for us, and we also believe that one can benefit from the creative thinking process even if your name or life story is entirely fictitious--like a work of art is a reflection of the artist's inner state, even a "fiction" will reflect the deep part of who you are.
Frankly, the performative vulnerability only serves to reify ableism and classism.
* Fees must be prepaid upon making an appointment if you elect to be anonymous or otherwise do not provide billing information. Contact us in advance for anonymous payment options.
