NICKY TEMPLE | Spiritual Director
Ponderings
Spiritual Director as midwife for the soul
Like a midwife, she works with the whole person and is present throughout the whole process Today's blog is from Richard Rohr's daily meditations which I can highly recommend and can be found here The theme of this last week has been on Spiritual Direction. This...
A thanksgiving examen
For many, the spiritual practice of the Examen is a rich and insightful experience. It offers a way to prayerfully reflect over the day and to interntionally notice what the day brought. It can be fertile soil for growth and transformation. This week I came across...
Bending with the wind
to let myself be present to whatever is being offeredI was very blessed to spend four days and nights away for retreat time last weekend. Tucked away in a little cabin in the woods, off grid (no electricity or running water) with a little outdoor kitchen and compost...
When we find ourselves waiting
Waiting always contains gift. The gift to grow in trust, to let go, to relinquish control. Our gorgeous 2 year old Yellow Labrador, Moth - have I mentioned her before?! - came into season during these past few weeks. We had been waiting with anticipation for this...
Friendship – Part 1.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.Last week, Richard Rohr’s week of Daily Meditations were on the subject of friendship. They contained some wonderful truths, some of which I’d...
Guest Blog – what it Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is a holding space for people to look inward and connect with what is divine and sacred.I found this explanation of Spiritual Direction and how it can help really insighful and helpful. It was written by Laura Fairchild and came through a...
The Dark Night of the Soul – 2.
I entered into unknowing Yet when I saw myself there Without knowing where I was I understood great thingsSpanish Mystic St John of the Cross (1542 - 1592) was an incredible poet and was willing to dive deeply into the place of unknowing, even calling it “an ecstasy”!...
The Dark Night of the Soul – 1.
God is Mystery and not any “thing” we can wrap our little brains around.The Dark Night of the Soul is something many of us will have heard of and likely experienced. The phrase originated with the writings of 16th Century mystic St John of the Cross and still holds...
What Spring invites.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and goneFebruary is often the month that clings onto winter. Here we’ve had stormy weather, bitter cold, rain, wind and dull grey days. As the trees give the smallest hint of new buds, February brings all it can to prolong...
When a change of circumstances isn’t enough.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Over lunch recently, as is our custom, my husband Mike and I were discussing the things we had been pondering of late. On this occasion, the story of Jesus and...
Get in your body!
“My body can only be present in the here and now.” For the first time in my life I’ve been swimming in the sea all year. I know it’s not an unusual thing to do these days as its become a popular pastime but I’m so grateful for my little section of coast and all that...
A New Year “let it be”.
"Then let yourself be lost.Let yourself leave for a place whose contours you do not already know..." After the Christmas break, I’ve started spending time with my Directee’s again. Some have reflected on the past year telling stories of suffering and difficulty,...