 By Rev. Linda Taylor
One gift of collegial conversation is the new learnings that arise when we share anexperience. Recently, I told a long-time colleague about a phenomenon I’ve noticed in my spiritual direction practice. For years I've noticed that It’s not unusual for several people to bring the same issue to direction within a week, or even on the same day. The stories are different, but the issues share a common thread. Almost always, I notice how the thread is playing out in my own life, which frequently leads me to discussion with my own spiritual director. I asked my colleague if she has ever had the same experience. She acknowledged she too noticed this synchronicity. Our curiosity led us to explore what might be happening. I’ve been reading about particle entanglement, so I wondered if this experience is another manifestation of the universal connection we share. My colleague wondered if the thread is something so present to us at a subconscious level that we’re actually tuning out something that our directees want or need to talk about. Our practice of spiritual direction shines a light on our own lives as well as those of the peoples whose lives we are privileged to hear. Our self-supervision during and following each session—as well as in sessions with our supervisors—can help focus that light in a way that supports the life-long formation we are called to embrace. I think I’ll be continuing to wonder about the emergence of these threads and to be grateful for the unknowing that just might lead to deeper awareness about what’s happening in my practice and my life. Having written about my own experience, I'm wondering what might be happening in you at this moment. When have you noticed synchronicity in your own work or life? What thread keeps popping up along your path? What invitation or insight may be unfolding in you? If you would like someone to listen with you, feel free to reach out to any of our spiritual directors here at CCSV. Comments are closed.
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