Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction

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Summary: not only for the spiritual director
Review: Books on spiritual direction are usually addressed to the spiritual director, aspiring or practicing, but there are at least four reasons why a good book on spiritual direction like this one would be helpful to the spiritual directee.

First, the book clarifies the ends, or more accurately, the end, singular, of spiritual direction. Many are perplexed, asking what is the point of the whole process, and a gifted spiritual director like Houdek might well provide a sound answer. He carefully expresses this purpose in terms of the transcendent dimension of all human experience: "Spiritual direction is concerned about a person's life in all its dimensions and at every moment because God can reveal mystery at all times and in all experiences" (p. 8). He says more than that, of course, and it's worth the reader's time to go over the exposition.

Second, the book elaborates on the means of spiritual direction, in this case, at modest length but in depth. By reflecting upon tested principles, but more importantly, accounts of actual applications, as well as reports of their beneficial effects in the lives of other directees, the directee grows in an awareness and understanding of the process in oneself and in others and so begins to value the experience of spiritual direction more deeply. Just as significant is that the directee derives the criteria for assessing the quality of spiritual direction, thereby empowering the directee in the process of their own guidance. All in all, this knowledge of spiritual direction not only enriches but also empowers the directee in the subtle, intricate, potentially precarious process of spiritual discernment, in which the ultimate responsibility devolves upon the directee.

Some of the most helpful discussions for me pertain to the author's limited attempt to classify directees into types, so I became aware of the profoundly varied yet distinctively individual quality of the spiritual life. Also important was his discussion of the gifts--theological and psychological awareness, spiritual experience, interpersonal skills--ideally suited for spiritual directors.

Third, the book is itself a helpful source of doctrine on spirituality.

It is apparent from the very beginning that Houdek assumes the traditional model of the spiritual life as a progression in stages, so that the influence of St. John of the Cross is present throughout yet refined--the author's tone is modern, flexible, without the slightest trace of doctrinairism. The author's distinction between "vagueness" and "obscurity," which traces to the Mystical Doctor, is especially valuable.

In what sense does the author disclose a Jesuit perspective, as noted in the title? His focus is on discernment, both as a central topic and a governing paradigm, so that discernment even marks the writing style of the book--reflective, attuned, open to truth, wise.

Houdek's discussion of discernment is so discerning itself that I feel compelled to quote: "Although helpful techniques or methods in spiritual discernment do exist neither ultimately guarantees real success. To explain or expect success we must look toward other realities...First, God's unqualified and unconditional love guarantees divine revelation to each of us. God's Spirit works within each person to validate and perhaps even guarantee that the person can and will arrive at a competent understanding and interpretation of individual personal experience. Second, the predispositions of the persons are far more important and influential than any technique or method for spiritual discernment...The central disposition for discernment is trustful surrender--trust in the love, the promises, the fidelity, and the providential care of God--to the initiatives and actions of God" (p. 116).

Fourth, the book brings up fresh perspectives on old issues or introduces new issues in spiritual direction, matters that may be of greater significance to the directee than the director. Some of these issues include problems arising from transference, gender dynamics, or the supervision of spiritual directors.

One weakness of the book is the relative absence of discussion on many aspects of modern clinical psychology, but this knowledge does not lie within the expertise of the author. However, he recognizes its value as well as its necessity in some cases, so that he gives short advice on identifying the need for counseling and on working successfully together with the counselor.

I highly recommend this book as a wealth of experience and wisdom brought to bear on an important area of the Catholic experience--spiritual direction.

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Summary: Table of Contents
Review: Introduction (What is spiritual direction?) Chapter 1 -- The Directee and the Process of Spiritual Growth (Patterns of spiritual growth and development: Direction for beginners, Being Purified by God, Direction for directees who are moving toward God, Direction of directees who have been purified by God; Growth patterns: awakening to spiritual realities, personal appropriation, commitment to the gifts of God, discerning the voice of God; Emotional fervor, dry prayer, and spiritual awakening; final period of purification) Chapter 2 -- Some Particular Types of Directees and Their Needs (Five types of directees: Beginners, Religious converts, Those having a dry and arid prayer life, Contemplative, Those having a roller-coaster experience of prayer and faith; Issues for Beginners: Fear, Anger, Depression, Sexuality, Authority) Chapter 3 -- Prayer and Spiritual Discernment (The mystery of prayer; difficulties in prayer; personal prayer; spiritual discernment; signs of a "good-spirited" directee; religious movements in the director; strategies for spiritual discernment) Chapter 4 -- The Director and the Process of Direction (Community recognition; Gifts needed for direction: Theological and psychological awareness [a balance of Scripture, the Christian ascetical and spiritual traditions, and recent advances in the human sciences including psychology], spiritual experience [personal experience of the Spirit and personal supervision], interpersonal skills [hospitality], self-appropriation [personal competency, goodness, and vision]; The process of spiritual direction [recognizing the work of God]; The director's genuineness, caring, and understanding; Criteria for evaluating spiritual direction [altruism, hope, emotional expression, trust in God, the awareness of mystery]; Issues of transference in spiritual direction; Gender differences in spiritual direction; Supervision for spiritual directors)