How to Prepare for Online Spiritual Direction: The Guide to Making Online Spiritual Direction Work

Online spiritual direction works well. I’ve been doing online direction for four-plus years, and while sometimes there are glitches, I believe the benefits outweigh the downsides. There are a few tips and tricks I've learned along the way that make it easier.

The benefits of On-Line spiritual direction

• It’s efficient. There is no travel time. If the session is scheduled for one hour, there is no travel or transition time to consider.

• It can be done in the comfort (and safety) of your own space. Sometimes it’s easier to dive right in, in a comfortable, familiar space.

• Distance isn’t a problem. I work with people living internationally, in different states, and in my hometown. Without technology (Zoom!), we wouldn’t have the chance to work together.

The drawbacks of online spiritual direction:

• Tech glitches are unpredictable and can disrupt the flow. I use Zoom, and 90% of the time, it works great. The pauses in audio can be frustrating.

• Because it is so easy to jump off one Zoom call or project and onto a spiritual direction session, the lack of transition time can be a bit of an obstacle.

How to Prepare for a Zoom (online) spiritual direction session

1. Prepare your space: Light a candle, shut the door, have something to drink, something to write with and on, and maybe a few tissues handy. Sometimes tears flow in direction, and that’s okay!

2. Arrive in your space 5-10 minutes before you log into the session. Use this time to take a few deep breaths, pray, and transition from your busy day into this time for your session.

3. Remind the people in your space that you are doing something important and not to interrupt you.

Spiritual direction is a ministry of compassionate presence.

Margaret Gunther

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