spiritual companionship
Spiritual companionship is the ancient practice of someone intentionally coming alongside another to help them pay attention to the longings within as they are in relationship with the world and the Divine. Barbara Brown Taylor, retired priest and college professor, shares “Maybe that is the difference between pastoral counselors and spiritual directors. We go to counselors when we want help getting out of caves. We go to directors when we are ready to be led farther in.”
I think many of us are ready to be lead farther in. We are tired of simple answers and want space to find our own voice within. We need permission to go on an expedition into the unknown. We want to discover practices and rituals that help ground us in ourselves and our belonging to Earth. We want to reclaim our awareness and agency. We want to re-wild our souls and our imaginations as we find permission to be authentic. Instead of thinking about the Divine, we want to experience Her.
tell me more
getting started
If you are interested in spiritual companionship, please fill out my contact form. I will reach out to set up a time for a free initial conversation.
initial conversation
This conversation is to learn about each other. Time for you to share some of your story and to hear more of mine. And of course, lots of space for questions about the process. After that first session, we can decide if working together would be a good fit.
what’s next
We generally meet once a month for hour long sessions. During our time together we have the opportunity to explore your relationship with the Divine, how you are connecting to Earth, practices you might want to try, or any other ideas you have.
"Elizabeth’s unique - and extraordinary - gift is that she is grounded in the wisdom she teaches. An hour spent working with her feels less like work and more like deep connection and replenishment. She masterfully tailors questions and practices to craft a beautifully customized session for each person and the season they're in. "
-Sara, Spiritual Companionship Client
Elizabeth
I am a trained Spiritual Companion and Eco-Spirituality practitioner. I desire to connect with those who are seeking the Divine, who long to align to Earth’s rhythms, and who want to investigate embodiment, practice, and experiment. I hold deep compassion for those who have been wounded by religion and those whose questions, doubts and uncertainties have been ignored. I love edge walkers who are looking for a field trip into the wild.
I have been companioned by many people along my journey and I am excited to offer this beautiful gift to others.
ONE ON ONE COMPANIONSHIP
Often in our spiritual journey connecting with others can help our understanding of our own story as well as our relationship to a larger one. One-on-one spiritual companionship takes this idea of community a little bit deeper. It is a place where your soul is allowed to show up and be fully accepted. It is an invitation to look at the Earth as partner. It is a conversation where your questions are looked at as friends and guides rather than something that always needs an answers. It is a space that where we experiment to find permission and practices that help your soul sing. It is reminder that you are sacred exactly as you are.
The Details
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You can reach out to me through my contact form. We will set up an initial meeting. This will be a conversation to learn about each other and to ask whatever questions you might have. After that first session we can decide if working together would be a good fit.
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My companionship incorporates the wild Earth as a way to find grounding and to allow her to hold questions and offer insight as we are journeying together. She is always available to you.
For that reason I try to do most of my sessions outside if possible. I want us to be immersed in nature when we are together. I also try to incorporate acknowledging the season and elements in our location.
I have several places locally to meet with people. I am also available by phone or Zoom and we can work to incorporate being attune to Earth even while we use technology.
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Your first initial session is free. Once we decide to work together, my rate per session is $65. Payment arrangements can be made at the time of your session. Sliding scale is available.
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I generally open with silence and a breath practice to help settle us into the space. From there we begin a conversation. My posture is one of invitation and asking questions. You bring what is stirring in you.
Pádraig Ó Tuama puts it well, “The only place to begin is where I am, and whether by desire or disaster, I am here. My being here is not dependent on my recognition of the fact. I am here anyway. But it might help if I could learn to look around.”
We always start from where you are. Think about it like locating yourself on a map, then being willing to look around and see what is happening and where might be a next step.
We will close with silence again and then a poem or reading.
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Spiritual direction is the most current phrasing for those who are trained to accompany people. I personally don’t love the term as it can suggest that I am in charge of leading someone. My perspective is that I am alongside of you as you are navigating your journey. This is a partnership between you, me and the Divine to see what shows up. My favorite label is from the ancient Celtic tradition. They refer to it as “Anam Cara” which means Soul Friend.
Please note spiritual direction is not therapy. I am not a trained counselor, but if we ever feel like that would be helpful, I would be glad to help you find someone.
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Absolutely. I am very open to experiment, practice and ritual. I have had sessions where clients walked a labyrinth or we are both on the phone taking a walk outside while we chat. I am open to discussions about practices or rituals that might support where you are exploring. I am happy to participate with you if that is helpful or allow you to take the idea with you to do on your own.
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I recommend having a session at least once a month. More frequent is available as needed.
Each session lasts a full hour.
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There is no long term commitment. We work together as long as you need and we both feel like it is a helpful for your journey. You might choose spiritual direction for a season or a long term practice.
If you ever would like to explore other options, I am open to assisting you to find a new companion. I deeply believe in the practice of spiritual companionship and want you to have someone that fits you.
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I am dedicated to being in a relationship with my own spiritual director. I am also a part of a Peer Group that helps me on my inner journey as I accompany others.
While I was a student at The Haden Institute, we followed their Ethical Covenant. I will continue to follow it now that I am certified and practicing. You can read it here.
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If you have any other questions please reach out and I am happy to answer them or schedule an initial session for further conversation.
MY EXPERIENCE
I was raised in the Christ tradition-a very conservative evangelical branch. In the last ten years, I found the formulaic ways of connecting to God I was given as a child stopped working. If I am honest I tried to make them work for much longer than I should. Even as the cracks in my faith system got bigger, I kept covering them up and ignoring them. When I found myself deeply hurt by a church I thought I belonged to, I had to find another way.
Through a series of synchronicities I discovered a group who was exploring church as practice and participation. While the church was not near me, their podcasts opened me to a whole new world of ancient contemplative practices. These practices gave my heart life again. One of those was spiritual direction. I found my first spiritual director and deeply cherished our times together each month as safe space for me to explore my faith as it was greatly shifting.
After meeting with my spiritual director for several years, she invited me into a group of women who were gathering to form a Quaker Circle of Trust based on Parker Palmer’s work. The seven of us, affectionately known as “Circle Group” met for four years.
I can say for sure these women shifted the course of my life. Through their wisdom and beauty, I found I could trust my own inner teacher and my deep wise instincts. We held space around poetry, art and the elements of Nature as we allowed the Divine to show up for each of us in the exact way we needed it. This group gave me not only the blueprint but the experience of what it is like to be companioned.
Through our time together in Circle I rediscovered my childhood connection to the Earth and her wisdom. This led me to a yearlong program called Seminary of the Wild. I once again found a group of women who journeyed together as we each found our way to connect with the Divine through the Earth. It was a true Rewilding of our spirituality.
What each of these women-my spiritual director, Circle, Seminary of the Wild, and the Earth herself- had in common was a generous willingness to give me space to show up as my authentic self. My questions and uncertainty were held with grace. My intuition was celebrated and my moments of insight offered tenderness to flourish.
I deeply longed for others to be able to experience what I had been given- rich companionship and trust along the journey. This longing lead me to train as a spiritual director at the Haden Institute. My Seeker Bee cohort traveled together as we learned to offer this rich way of being with others.
I know what it is like to have hurts and doubts, to long for something more, wishing for someone to see what’s really happening and to be willing to come alongside as you find your way through. I have deep experience with others on what it is like to be companioned and to companion someone. And I have a heart that desires to see people flourish and find their True wholeness and offer their gifts to the world.