Distance Spiritual Direction
Guidelines for a successful online experience

Given the current advances in internet technology, distance spiritual direction has become a very feasible means to tend to the needs of your soul. This page offers tips which will pave the way to a successful experience for spiritual direction via a webcam.

Visit the online spiritual direction entry page My profile page

Plan so as to minimize distractions

Planning ahead will enable our time together to be free of distractions and interruptions, both inwardly and outwardly. Allow yourself some spaciousness before our distance spiritual direction conversation so that you are not rushing into our session. Turn off the phones, inform the members of your household that you are not to be disturbed for an hour, and (if applicable) arrange for your children to be tended to. In short, prepare to value our time together as a face-to-face appointment turned toward God and the Spirit's work in your life.

Prepare the space where we will meet

Before our conversation begins, prepare the room to meet with your Guest. Clear away the clutter near your computer. You may find it helpful to place an object in your line of vision which will speak to you of God's presence: a picture, a passage of Scripture or a symbol which has been meaningful to you recently. Consider lighting a candle during the conversation, as I do, as a symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit who bridges the distance between us. Have your Bible and journal handy.

Prepare yourself for our time together

A day or two before we meet reflect back on your spiritual life over the past weeks. and decide what is most valuable to bring into our conversation. The preparing for a session page offers insight on how to make the most of our time together.

Just before we meet spend a few minutes in stillness and prayer so that you are inwardly focused.

Keep our appointment!

I set aside this hour just for you, investing beforehand with preparation and prayer. Please honour the commitment being made to you and value your own spiritual journey by guarding this time together. Familiarize yourself as well with my policy regarding cancellations and rescheduling.

Communicate openly

Communication is essential for a successful distance spiritual direction experience. If you have any concerns about how our sessions are going, please share them with me as soon as you are comfortable doing so. You are welcome to email me in between sessions to follow through on your experience or in preparing for the next session together.

Skype setup

You'll need to take care of a few technical necessities for our distance spiritual direction experience to go smoothly. Please read the skype setup page and follow these instructions carefully. Then we will be well on our way to a glitch-free time together. Please note that it will helpful to review these instructions before we meet for the second time.

Return to Online SD info page

Proceed to Skype setup

Proceed to Getting started Aan de slag

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