NICKY TEMPLE | Spiritual Director
Ponderings
The essential nature of being kind to ourselves
Something beautiful unfolds in the moments of Spirit’s kindness interweaving with self- kindness. Possibility emerges, softness creates welcome.Why can it be so difficult for us to be kind to ourselves? I notice that it’s something that comes up in Spiritual...
Grief comes in many ways
Our puppy-filled summer ended recently as we said farewell to our last two gorgeous bundles. It was a tearful time as I waved away these two who had found their way more deeply into my heart and our home. I knew it was time and that they needed to go and begin...
A puppy-filled summer
It’s been quite a summer this year (obviously not weather -wise here in the UK, that’s been the usual mix of grey and wet with the odd bit of sunshine poking through!) It’s been a puppy-filled summer as our Moth gave birth to 7 gorgeous little ones. My hands have been...
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...