Susan Phillips on Metaphor, Poetry, Grace, Journey, Fruition and Spiritual Direction.

Paul writes - Sadly I wasn’t one of them, but around 80 people from throughout the North Island of New Zealand enjoyed a rich day of reflection with Dr Susan Phillips, a sociologist and spiritual director, in Auckland, on Wednesday 3 March 2010. 

The workshop combined input and creative reflection on two core biblical metaphors - rootedness and journeying - with particular application to the ministry of spiritual direction. 

Phillips talks, while not neglecting the head were directed to the heart. They connected with much that I’ve reflected on in relation to my own journey of the years, and it was interesting for me to see where I ‘went’ to as I listened to them. 

Phillips is the author of the extremely good and very useful book Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction which “offers an intimate view of spiritual direction through narratives of actual spiritual direction sessions. The experiential practice is accompanied by theoretical and theological understandings that guide it. The book includes the stories of nine men and women whose stories illustrate how the journey of Christian discipleship is helped by spiritual direction...” 

There were four talks, although the fourth one is more about responses from those gathered, than a talk as such, by Phillips 

Glimpses of Grace (74 minutes)
Journey (43 minutes)
Fruition (56 minutes)
Closing session (23 minutes) 

Thanks to Phillips for allowing the talks to be recorded and to SGM for making them available to those of us unable to attend the day back in March. 

You can find the talks and listen to or download them here. I highly recommend if your inward vitality and life is important to you, or if spiritual direction holds an interest for you.