Comments on: Jesuit Spiritual Director Shares his Experiences as an Active Listener http://www.jesuit.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/jesuit-spiritual-director-shares-his-experiences-as-an-active-listener/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:51:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Cynthia B. Astle, OSL http://www.jesuit.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/jesuit-spiritual-director-shares-his-experiences-as-an-active-listener/comment-page-1/#comment-10532 Cynthia B. Astle, OSL Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:44:05 +0000 http://www.jesuit.org/blog/?p=4911#comment-10532 With respect, I believe Fr. Robert Kaye misses the point. Fr. Joe Tetlow, whose student I have the honor to be, points out that active listening is only the start of the spiritual direction process. A single article that introduces the concept of active listening couldn't possibly give a "laundry list" of ways to use it. Such a skill takes much more study and practice to be used effectively and safely for the directee. Furthermore, again with respect, I submit that Fr. Robert's comment is in error when he states that everyone who has graduated seminary is skilled in active listening. The ministry of spiritual direction is not the same as pastoral counseling or psychological therapy. The actor in spiritual direction is God's Holy Spirit, not the spiritual director. Therefore active listening must take a triangular, even Trinitarian, shape: horizontally between director and directee, and then vertically to God, who acts upon both along the spiritual journey. What's more, the shape of this relationship is not an equilateral triangle, with all parts having the same significance. The spiritual director is to listen actively in order to know when and how to get out of the way of the relationship between God and the directee. Of course, it isn't possible in a single article to plumb the breadth and depth of the ministry of spiritual direction. Active listening is but a part of the knowledge, skill and discernment needed to practice this challenging ministry of caring for souls. With respect, I believe Fr. Robert Kaye misses the point. Fr. Joe Tetlow, whose student I have the honor to be, points out that active listening is only the start of the spiritual direction process. A single article that introduces the concept of active listening couldn’t possibly give a “laundry list” of ways to use it. Such a skill takes much more study and practice to be used effectively and safely for the directee.

Furthermore, again with respect, I submit that Fr. Robert’s comment is in error when he states that everyone who has graduated seminary is skilled in active listening. The ministry of spiritual direction is not the same as pastoral counseling or psychological therapy. The actor in spiritual direction is God’s Holy Spirit, not the spiritual director. Therefore active listening must take a triangular, even Trinitarian, shape: horizontally between director and directee, and then vertically to God, who acts upon both along the spiritual journey. What’s more, the shape of this relationship is not an equilateral triangle, with all parts having the same significance. The spiritual director is to listen actively in order to know when and how to get out of the way of the relationship between God and the directee.

Of course, it isn’t possible in a single article to plumb the breadth and depth of the ministry of spiritual direction. Active listening is but a part of the knowledge, skill and discernment needed to practice this challenging ministry of caring for souls.

]]> By: Fr Robert Kaye http://www.jesuit.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/jesuit-spiritual-director-shares-his-experiences-as-an-active-listener/comment-page-1/#comment-10288 Fr Robert Kaye Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:17:59 +0000 http://www.jesuit.org/blog/?p=4911#comment-10288 For an article on listening, it seems to me that it spent most of its time talking. Obviously the article was to feature the priest's ministry. But couldn't the article have given some practical examples of active listening? Those who know about this process will be refreshed. Those new to A.L. will find new and useful tools for their own spiritual journey as well as new found skills to help others. Of course, everyone who has graduated from semnary is fully skilled in A.L. Thus, my omments are meaningless. For an article on listening, it seems to me that it spent most of its time talking. Obviously the article was to feature the priest’s ministry. But couldn’t the article have given some practical examples of active listening? Those who know about this process will be refreshed. Those new to A.L. will find new and useful tools for their own spiritual journey as well as new found skills to help others. Of course, everyone who has graduated from semnary is fully skilled in A.L. Thus, my omments are meaningless.

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