NICKY TEMPLE | SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
About Me
NICKY TEMPLE | SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
My journey
My own spiritual journey began some 33 years ago, at the age of 18, when I awakened to Divine life being more than written words and knowledge. I was immersed in a charismatic world of worship, prayer, Holy Spirit and life! This church world was my home for a long time, both as an attendee and in various forms of leadership.
Two decades ago, I took a fork in the road, being drawn towards a contemplative spirituality in which stillness, silence, centering prayer and being deeply connected with nature are highly valued, with more liturgically focussed practices. My faith has become more integrated into the here and now, and the line between sacred and spiritual has disappeared – for me wild swimming, eating with friends and cuddling our Yellow Labrador are all spiritual practice.
I still find myself rooted in the christian tradition, I am a mystic at heart and intentionally walk this path, gaining more understanding of the depths of a mystics road as I travel. I frequent places of unfamiliarity and mystery knowing that they contain great gift. As part of this journey, God has many names which I discover to be liberating and which offer me great richness, safety, comfort and belonging.
NICKY TEMPLE | SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
I love connecting
I’m a highly sensitive empathic introvert and a four on the enneagram. I value space, quiet and solitude but I also love meaningful connection with people, which means that friendship is hugely important. Creativity is a big part of my life – including writing, poetry, painting, fibre arts – and it’s a thread that runs through everything I am and do.
My husband Mike and I didn’t get to have children of our own, which has been a place of pain for me, but I do treasure my relationship with my two grandchildren. I now know that mothering offers itself in many forms, and find fulfillment in being the Mother I have been called to be.
Before settling back in Devon, Mike and I spent a decade travelling in Europe and North America, and for some time were without a home to call our own. We spent four wonderful years living in Eastern Canada, before moving back to the UK and settling in Devon.
I’m accustomed to living in liminal space, with the unknown and the unfamiliar. It’s a path that invites constant trust, letting go, letting be in a never-ending cycle. I’ve grown to love this unknown path and the immense treasure it contains. Life is simple for us now, and there are still places of pain, but I live with great contentment.
NICKY TEMPLE | SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Your companion
I’m a nature and animal lover, a friend of trees and the sea. I’m a walker, a connector, a creator, a writer and a lover of people. My greatest joys are warm spring days sitting in the sun with a cuppa, walking with my husband and Moth the dog, connecting with friends, good food and snuggling in front of a fire with warm socks on, a blanket and a good book.
I am surrendered to the journey of life and find joy in the small everyday things that are abundant with the goodness of The Beloved. I remember everyday how blessed I am to be held in great and unknowable love. I’m broken, whole, messy and glorious and it’s all beautiful.
My formal training as a spiritual director was with The Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction in Amsterdam, and I have accompanied others on their spiritual journey for over 25 years, through many different seasons, struggles and suffering in their lives. I have also had many years of experience working with the body as a Pilates Instructor, Health Coach and Personal Trainer. I am experienced in working with the body as a gateway to deeper healing, freedom and transformation with a focus on trauma. I trained with Contemplative Outreach to facilitate Centering Prayer retreats, and value a contemplative life.
It is my delight to listen to and really hear the hearts of those with whom I journey, and I would love to be a friend on your journey. It would be my honour to accompany you , to walk into the darkness and the light, through the sunsets and sunrises, and to discover together who The Divine is for you and the true you that is waiting to emerge more and more fully.
