Spiritual Directors International

File:Labyrinth in the grounds of Manresa Jesuit Spirituality Renewal Centre, Pickering.JPG

Spiritual Directors International (SDI) was formed in 1990 to support the work of professionals who work as spiritual directors.{{Cite journal|last=Ruffing|first=Janet K.|date=2010|title=Sacred is the Call: Supervisory Accountability and Responsibility in the Formation of Spiritual Directors|url=https://journals.sfu.ca/rpfs/index.php/rpfs/article/view/190|journal=Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry|language=en|volume=30|issn=2325-2855}} This support happens across religious or spiritual traditions, as the professionalization of this field of practice increasingly involves those who work outside of or without the support of a traditional religious community.{{Cite journal|last=Ruffing|first=Janet|date=2002|title=Recent Literature and Emerging Issues in the Ministry of Spiritual Direction|url=http://muse.jhu.edu/content/crossref/journals/spiritus/v002/2.1ruffing.html|journal=Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality|language=en|volume=2|issue=1|pages=99–107|doi=10.1353/scs.2002.0019|s2cid=145557893|issn=1535-3117}} As this expansion of serving the function of a "spiritual midwife" continues, SDI supports the establishment of best practices while promoting minimum standards for the practice of spiritual direction or spiritual companionship, including deep or holy listening and hospitality.{{Cite book|last=Prechtel|first=Daniel L.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/755699307|title=Where two or three are gathered : spiritual direction for small groups|date=2012|publisher=Morehouse Pub|isbn=978-0-8192-2772-0|location=Harrisburg, PA|oclc=755699307}}

SDI is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization.{{Cite web|date=20 November 2020|title=IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search > Spiritual Directors International|url=https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=943156697&name=Spiritual%20Directors%20International&city=Bellevue&state=WA&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=CHARITIES,%20COPYOFRETURNS&orgTags=CHARITIES&orgTags=COPYOFRETURNS|access-date=16 August 2021|website=IRS.gov}}

Spiritual Directors International provides an online repository to match those who wish to receive spiritual direction, or seekers, with those who provide this form of spiritual companionship.{{Cite web|last=Barrington Forney|first=Liz|date=2021-03-02|title=Compass for the soul|url=https://pres-outlook.org/2021/03/compass-for-the-soul/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=The Presbyterian Outlook|language=en-US}} As an organization, it supports its members on their own professional paths, without imposing any single belief system, professional certification, or license.{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Andrea|date=2021-01-13|title=Can Spiritual Directors Help?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/style/self-care/spiritual-directors-faith-religion.html|access-date=2021-08-18|issn=0362-4331}}

Those who provide this work, and the membership audience, are laypeople and ordained ministers, who together receive ongoing education and communal support through SDI.{{Cite web|last=Frykholm|first=Amy|date=15 December 2011|title=Holy listening: The spiritual direction movement|url=https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-12/holy-listening|access-date=2021-08-17|website=The Christian Century|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Blythe|first=Teresa|date=16 April 2019|title=What You Need to Know About Spiritual Direction Training Programs|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/spiritualdirection101/2019/04/need-to-know-about-spiritual-direction-training-programs/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Spiritual Direction 101|language=en}} Spiritual Directors, also known as spiritual companions or spiritual guides, are not found exclusively within any faith tradition, as they include many interfaith practitioners.{{Cite book|last=Phillips|first=Susan S.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/183879505|title=Candlelight : Illuminating the art of spiritual direction|date=2008|publisher=Morehouse Pub|isbn=978-0-8192-2297-8|location=Harrisburg, PA|oclc=183879505}} As such, SDI is nondenominational in its membership and approach to this work.{{Cite news|last=Chafets|first=Zev|date=2009-09-16|title=The Right Way to Pray?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/magazine/20Prayer-t.html|access-date=2021-08-18|issn=0362-4331}}

While most who work as spiritual directors do not do that in a full-time capacity, as a professional area of practice, those who work in this area do use this as one aspect of their making a living.{{Cite web|last=Blythe|first=Teresa|date=2019-03-26|title=Making A Living Off Spiritual Direction - The Short Answer Is Yes!|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/spiritualdirection101/2019/03/making-a-living-off-spiritual-direction/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Spiritual Direction 101|language=en}}

• Spiritual direction
• Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola
• Spirituality

• [https://www.sdicompanions.org/ Spiritual Directors International (SDI)]

Category:Spiritual organizations

Category:501(c)(3) organizations

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington (state)