J a n u a

Listen
A Seeker s Resource for Spiritual Direction
r y   2 0 1 1    v o l   5 :   i s s u e   1

Cultivating Compassion

I
sit facing my computer screen, do you rub up against fear and
inches from a large window. My disconnect? These are essential
heart thunks. Outside a shadow questions in the marketplace
moves. A moose peers at me. or monastery, the inner city,
Vividly tall, she is furry, sturdy, six suburbia, or wilderness. Thomas
feet away, eyes glued in stillness. Merton said, “The deepest
Her nose twitches. I catch my level of communication is not
breath, meet her gaze. Seconds communication but communion.
pass. Does she comprehend It is wordless.”
glass? Does it matter? When her
shoulder muscles flick, she turns What can your natural habitat
away, hooves crunching tracks teach you? A spiritual director can
through the snow crust. I remain, Ferruginous Hawk—Buteo Regalis accompany you when you share
untangled. My breath is slow and deep. personality, life experiences, and our your stories of desire, surprise, fear,
decisions of yes, no, and maybe. hope, and despair. Rabbi Awraham
How can we cultivate compassion Soetendorp reminds us, “The teaching
when the world we inhabit may be Three moose wander in my yard—it of compassion, the exercise of the
hostile, stressful, aggressive, and is their natural habitat. The two twins soul, will open the heart. And then
painful? It is simple, but not easy, and were birthed when sun shone for nothing will be impossible.” How will
requires our ongoing commitment. twenty hours a day. Lush green ferns you cultivate compassion through the
Compassion is not reliant upon ease and foliage sheltered their tentative concrete specifics of your life? 
of circumstance. Some of the most beginnings. Months later, I now sit —Pegge Bernecker 
trustworthy, compassionate people I in silence. Two feet of snow arrived,
know have suffered profoundly. Paula and neighbors help one another
D’Arcy writes, “How you approach in time of need. I do not live in a
something determines what you will wildlife preserve or zoo. Bear tracks SEEDS OF INTEREST:
see.” Roshi Joan Halifax tells us, “The across my driveway startle me from
 Field Guide: Learning Bird
world is so tangled, and I need to complacency. While outdoors, I am
Language—A Pathway to a
be somewhat untangled to meet it.” calmly alert, with a choice to engage
Contemplative Life
These are good insights. We cannot the realness of time and place. I am
give what we do not have. What we interwoven in this landscape, a part  Field Notes: Be Still
cultivate is shared with others. of it. How will I forge connection and  Poetry: How to Meditate
compassion in this climate?
To cultivate compassion we must first
 Global Resources
show up and be available to place, time, Do you understand my question?  Book Review: Invitation
and our embodied self. This prepares Perhaps it needs translation: Where to Solitude and Silence:
us to meet someone or something do you live—what is your natural Experiencing God’s
with integrity and presence. We each habitat? Who do you encounter with Transforming Presence

1
live a sacred story with particularities your everyday activity? What causes  Ask Owl
and peculiarities unique to our you to stop in awe and wonder? Where
 field guide
Learning Bird Language—
A Pathway to a Contemplative Life
“Contemplative living is living in true relationship with oneself, and most of all to the silence. They were trained to be at
God, others and nature, free of the illusions of separateness.” home in the silence as it is a doorway to the Great Silence
– Thomas Merton or to the Spirit-that-moves-through-all-things. Even when
they played with other children, there was a great deal of

I
t is easy to think of contemplation as something shared silence and attentiveness to the environment that
people do in a monastery or learn in their later years. surrounded them. This stands in sharp contrast to the
But for indigenous people throughout the world, and frequency with which modern youth fill up natural spaces
especially for the ancient scout, a contemplative heart with boom boxes that exude loud hyper music.
was acquired as part of learning survival. Those of us who
seek to live a contemplative life can learn a great deal Jon Young is a contemporary expert on nature awareness
from indigenous cultures whose very way of being in the and the language of the birds. His expertise comes from
world cultivates contemplation and interiority. elders of indigenous tribes as well as from the birds
themselves. He would say there is nothing spiritual or
It was the job of the ancient scouts to travel many miles religious about the information he teaches as it simply
ahead of the people so that they could discern danger and reflects a way of life. I would suggest that the entire life
find suitable living situations for the group. The survival of the indigenous people was a contemplative one. In
of all depended on the scouts’ alertness and attentiveness order to understand his teachings and to understand the
to their environment. Because the ancient scouts were so significance of bird language, it is necessary to understand
attuned to the earth and its creatures they could read the what Young and others call Jungle Law. This law pertains
language of the birds just as we learn to read road signs. It to nature in general and the rules are the same whether one
was the language of the birds that could, and still can, be is in Africa, Asia, or North, Central, or South America. We
discerned by the five universal messages they all convey. are all interconnected, not only at the level of matter, but
Most significantly, the scout could decipher the bird’s also at the level of perception and communication.
alarm call as distinct from their other four calls. This
understanding guided and protected the scout. …For the full story, go online to http://bit.ly/
ListenFieldGuide 
From the youngest ages, the elders trained their children
—Nancy Cannon is an artist and a spiritual director who lives with her
to listen. They learned to listen to the birds, the wind, husband on eight wooded acres in Michigan, USA. Their land provides
daily creature encounters as well as endless inspiration for her art. She
Publisher: Spiritual Directors International can be reached at nancycannon@allearthtiles.com.
Executive Director: Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv
Editor: Pegge Bernecker
Production Supervisor: Tobias Becker
Listen

Submissions: listen@sdiworld.org
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Listen is published four times a year (January, April, July, October).
The names Spiritual Directors InternationalTM, SDIWorldTM,
and SDITM and its logo are trademarks of Spiritual Directors
International, Inc., all rights reserved. Opinions and programs
represented in this publication are of the authors and advertisers
and may not represent the opinions of Spiritual Directors
International, the Coordinating Council, or the editors.

w w w . s d i w o r l d . o r g
Listen is an outreach publication of Spiritual Directors variety of spiritual traditions, and discover excellent questions
International. When you visit the Spiritual Directors to ask yourself, and any potential spiritual directors you choose
International website at www.sdiworld.org, you can learn to interview. To locate a spiritual director or guide, go online
about retreats, programs, conferences, and other educational to Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available
events related to spiritual companionship. You can read Spiritual Directors. More than 6,000 spiritual directors are

2
descriptions of the spiritual direction relationship from a listed by geographical location at www.sdiworld.org. 

Volume 5, Issue 1 Seeking spiritual direction? Go to www.sdiworld.org

 field notes
Be Still

P
rayer and contemplative practice shift throughout or sensations move in your body, do not be concerned.
our lifetime. What once was life-giving can become Simply notice, and let go. When your time is complete—it
a desert or wasteland when we grow and life could be seconds, minutes, or hours—take a deep breath,
circumstances change. At other times, a former spiritual then offer a silent thank you for your being, your breath,
practice can be remembered and renewed. I recently your life.
welcomed my old friend, Psalm 46:10a, and embrace
its familiar simplicity. In particular, I appreciate how Psalm 4 6:10a
simple it is to pray this way, wherever I find myself. If I
am experiencing stress, I am immediately calmed, and Be still, and know that I am God.
available to be present to myself and current situation. …
When I feel thankful, this easy, contemplative practice Be still and know that I am.
deepens my gratefulness and compassion. …
Be still and know.
Please join me, wherever you are. Find a dignified, …
comfortable position, and slowly repeat each phrase. Be still.
Pause between each line for however long you desire. …
Simply rest and be. When thoughts flit in your mind Be 

Spiritual Directors International

Educational Events
April 28 - May 2, 2011

Cultivating Compassion
Featuring Keynote Presenter | Dr. Janet Ruffing, RSM with Spiritual Director | Wilkie Au, MDiv, PhD
Professor in the Practice of Spirituality and Award-winning author of By Way of the
Ministerial Leadership at Yale Divinity Heart: Toward a Holistic Christian Spiritu-
School, Connecticut, USA, and author of ality; Enduring Heart: Spirituality for the
Uncovering Stories of Faith: Spiritual Long Haul; and co-author of Urgings of
Direction and Narrative; Mysticism and the Heart: A Spirituality of Integration; The
Social Transformation (ed); Spiritual Discerning Heart: Exploring the Christian
Direction: Beyond the Beginnings; Elisabeth Path, he is a professor of theological stud-
Leseur: Selected Writings; To Tell the Sacred ies at Loyola Marymount University, Los
Tale: Spiritual Direction and Narrative. Angeles, California, USA.
A professor of spirituality and spiritual
direction at Fordham University in New York from 1986 to 2010, she
lectures and offers workshops throughout the world.

Full details and registration online at www.sdiworld.org

Spiritual Directors International is a global learning community of people from many faiths and nations
who share a commitment to the art of contemplative spiritual care and compassionate listening.
Everyone who wants to cultivate compassion is welcome.

www.sdiworld.org

A Spiritual Directors International publication

3 Listen
 “A Sabbatical
How to Meditate Journey in the
Thinking of lizards
Southwest”
The dusty ones, the color of earth
Spring: March 11 - April 25, 2011
Aware of emptiness Fall: September 16 - October 31, 2011
Spring: March 16 - April 30, 2012
They see with bulging eyes
Fall: September 14 - October 29, 2012
And move quickly into stillness A 6-week holistic program, for men and women religious
and priests, that offers the time, the space, and the guidance
to step back from one’s ordinary chronos activities into the
— Rev. Laura West, Ukiah, California, USA
kairos moment of the Sabbath, in a peaceful oasis set in
the desert of the Southwest. Spiritual direction, daily
Eucharist, input sessions and small group sharing, an 8-day
retreat, outings, and other activities are part of the program.
For more information or to register, please contact:

Canossian Spirituality Center,

Seek and Find: A Worldwide Resource 5625 Isleta Blvd. SW,
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Guide of Available Spiritual Directors Phone: (505) 452-9402 / Fax: (505) 877-2571
is now live! www.sdiworld.org Email: spiritualityctr@yahoo.com
www.canossianspiritualitycenter.org

FRANCISCAN
RENEWAL CENTER
A BRUSH WITH GOD
Iconography Workshop
February 7-13, 2011
Peter Pearson, M.Div.
WOMEN MYSTICS
& CONTEMPLATION
February 11-13, 2011
Carmen Butcher
CENTERING PRAYER
& THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
April 6-10, 2011
Fr. Carl Arico
HOLY WEEK RETREAT
April 17-April 24, 2011
William Cieslak, OFM,Cap
We offer private retreats all year long.
5802 East Lincoln Dr. • Scottsdale, AZ 85253

4
480-948-7460 ۰ 800-356-3257 ۰ www.thecasa.org

Volume 5, Issue 1 Seeking spiritual direction? Go to www.sdiworld.org

 Review Barton’s accessible language and compelling invitation
will refresh seasoned spiritual practitioners, spiritual
directors, and everyone beginning a spiritual practice.
Invitation to Solitude and Silence:
Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence Topics address the significance of rest, areas of resistance
by Ruth Haley Barton and desire, the experience of emptiness, facing self,
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010 resting in pure presence, the value of having someone
165 pages, USD$18.00 accompany us, and that most important truth, “If
my experiences in solitude and silence don’t make a
Invitation to Solitude and Silence: difference in this real-life moment, then I’m not sure any
Experiencing God’s Transforming of this is worth much” (130).
Presence offers sound teaching,
vulnerable life stories, and wise Barton writes, “In the midst of the high-performance
guidance for individuals and groups who seek God cultures in which I lived and worked and worshiped, it was
through the disciplines of silence and solitude. Writing embarrassing to acknowledge such a voracious desire for
from her evangelical Christian roots, Ruth Haley Barton silence and solitude. I was afraid people would question my
offers insight into the profound path of contemplative ability to produce along the lines they were measuring. I
prayer and intimacy with God. was afraid of becoming irrelevant in a world that measures
relevance by output and being out front” (127).
Her journey into the deliberate practice of silence and
solitude begins when her new spiritual director says, “Ruth, A spiritual director and retreat leader, Barton sheds light
you are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need on the power of the contemplative path. Through her
is to sit still long enough that the sediment can settle and the guidance, we encounter the depth of silence, and the
water can become clear” (29). Barton says, “I couldn’t even ways we sabotage and struggle along the way. With “A
imagine what it would be like to be still long enough for Guide for Groups” included, Invitation to Solitude and
anything to settle! I couldn’t imagine not having an agenda or Silence is a valuable resource, particularity for Christians
a prayer list or a study plan” (29). However, out of desperation who want to grow deeper with scripture and intimacy
and an inner emptiness, she said “yes” to sit still. with God. 

Spiritual Direction with Veterans

Taking the Path Less Traveled? Are you a returning veteran from Iraq or

Afghanistan?

Are you seeking a spiritual practice?

We will walk with you .... and assist you with Then perhaps you would be interested in
your education.

Join our close knit community blending Spiritual Direction. Spiritual Direction is a series of
theology and ministry in education. To
learn more about our programs, please one-on-one conversations which provide
contact us at 800.334.9922, or email us
at admissions@wtu.edu or visit us at opportunities for a person to share their spiritual
www.wtu.edu.
life within a safe, nonjudgmental and confidential
Doctor of Ministry Program in: Certificate Programs in:
• Christian Spirituality • Spiritual Direction Studies environment. For information and appointments,
• Spirituality Studies
Master’s Programs in: • Carmelite Studies please call: Margaret Holden at 212-544-2303 or
• Divinity • Franciscan Theology &
• Pastoral Studies
• Theological Studies
Spirituality e-mail mholdenfsp@aol.com
• Theological Studies

5
• Pastoral Counseling • Word and Worship
• Theology • Lay Liturgy Leadership

A Spiritual Directors International publication Listen

 St. Ignatius
Jesuit Retreat House
THE PECOS BENEDICTINE MONASTERY
251 Searingtown Road Presents
Manhasset, NY 11030
www.inisfada.net THE 2011-12 PECOS BENEDICTINE
SCHOOL FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
2011 Directed Retreats June 19-July 17, 2011 with Follow-up in August 5-19, 2012
February 11-18, May 8-13, June 17-19
A unique experience of:
Guided Retreat: June 26 - July 1, 2011 learning the Art of Spiritual Direction,
Ignatian Spirituality & the Directed Retreat being directed to facilitate direction;
Practicum for Experienced Spiritual Directors incorporating community and solitude, silence,
June 6 - August 1, 2011 listening and communication;
Spiritual Exercises Institute for Retreatants within the Benedictine monastic setting, while
residing in our guesthouse;
30-day retreat
in our peaceful rural environment, with the
of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Pecos River "running through it".
June 24 - July 31, 2011
Supervision for Spiritual Directors Check our website for details: www.pecosmonastery.org;
For further details: Call 505-757-6600 ext. 265,
One-on-one ongoing supervision for those in the or email school@pecosmonastery.org,
Ministry of Spiritual Direction or write Pecos Benedictine Monastery,
P. O. Box 1080, Pecos, NM 87552
For details & applications, call Karen Doyle, SSJ
at 516. 621. 8300 x 25, or kdoyle@inisfada.net

ART PRAYER IN TUSCANY Stillpoint Center for Spiritual Development seeks an

enthusiastic Executive Director who is passionate about spiritual
development to work with the Board of Directors and Founding
Contemplative Retreat & day trips Director by taking a primary role in the overall leadership
Assisi, Cortona, Medieval Towns of the organization with a primary focus on fundraising
June 20-30, 2011 Monastic Setting and development.  Previous leadership and fundraising
Contact: srplane@juno.com or experience preferred. Please visit www.stillpointcsd.org
Cenacle Sisters – 561-249-1621 for more information. Send resume with cover letter to
StillpointLasVegas@gmail.com with salary requirements.

G l o b a l r e s o u r c e s : Supporting Your Spiritual Journey

March 7– 8, 2011 Colloquium Servant Song Ministries Join more than 6,500 people in a global
Explore impact of cosmological and Retreat House & Spirituality Center contemplative, multi-faith learning
evolutionary thinking on life of faith 720 East Greene Street community called Spiritual Directors
Elaine Prevallet, SL, PhD; Detroit, MI, USA Waynesburg, PA, USA International. For more than twenty years,
Dominican Center Religious Development Telephone and fax: 724-852-2133 SDI has been committed to compassionate
313-387-9574; www.dominicancenter.org www.servantsongministries.org listening around the world and across
traditions. Everyone who cares about spiritual
July 22 – August 5, 2011 “How to Seek & Find a Spiritual Director” companionship is invited to become a member
Mission Santa Barbara, CA, USA FREE one hour SDI teleconference: of Spiritual Directors International, a charitable
Monastery of the Risen Christ School for February 8, 2011 nonprofit serving the educational needs of
Spiritual Directors: Abbot David Geraets 12:00 EST; 5:00 GMT/UTC people who offer spiritual companionship.
Contact Dr. Marie J. DiSciullo-Naples Details and RSVP at www.sdiworld.org www.sdiworld.org
207-364-7288; joyologist@gwi.net
April 28 - May 2, 2011 Connect on Facebook: Spiritual
Healing Trauma Workshop Atlanta, Georgia, USA Directors International for spiritual care.
by Maureen Conroy, March 18 – 20, 2011 “Cultivating Compassion”
Spiritual Directors International educational
Order a FREE subscription to Listen:
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
For spiritual directors, counselors, others events with keynote Dr. Janet Ruffing, RSM, A Seeker’s Resource for Spiritual Direction.
CAD$95-$200 commuters or residents spiritual director Wilkie Au, MDiv, PhD, Go to: www.sdiworld.org
204-339-1705; www.stbens.ca and dozens of workshops to help you cultivate

6
compassion in your communities
www.sdiworld.org

Volume 5, Issue 1 Seeking spiritual direction? Go to www.sdiworld.org

 Ask Owl

Q
uestion: I’ve begun meditating inner exploration where a spiritual guide
on my own for fifteen minutes would be of assistance. A contemplative
every day. I read a book that said practice leads us to navigate our inner
it is beneficial to sit in silence, and let terrain. You are simply and profoundly
go of my thoughts. After two months, integrating parts of yourself; this can be a
I’m becoming restless in the quiet. simultaneous experience of consternation
Also, I’m dreaming more at night. I’m and exhilaration. Healing, forgiveness, life
recalling memories from my past, and purpose, and vocation all come to light.
reexamining some of the choices I’ve made in my life. I
wonder if there is something more I should pay attention You do not mention if you are a part of a small group, or
to. Is this common? if you have any companions who have begun this journey
with you. A spiritual director or guide can be of value; so

H
oot Hoot: Thank you for deciding to include con- too is a friend or group that gathers with contemplative
templative practice in your everyday life. This is practice as the focus.
good! Your question is excellent. When we make
time to engage inner silence and thus listen more clearly to To locate a spiritual director near you, go to www.
our own promptings and the world around us, we open to sdiworld.org. Search the free, online, Seek and Find:
the unknown and unpredictable. We also begin to realize A Worldwide Resource Guide of Available Spiritual
how distracted and fragmented we can be. A sure way to Directors, and watch more than twenty-five YouTube
discover that life is an adventure is through contemplative videos in the Spiritual Directors International Learns
practice, prayer, mindfulness, or meditation. You will find From… educational series. Please continue to stay with
your own language to describe your process. your process, and be willing to risk an adventure into
fullness of life.  
Everyone has a unique path—and your experience is
—If you have a question for Owl, please e-mail Listen@sdiworld.org.
common! It sounds as if you are at a place of questioning and

SAN DAMIANO
DREAM TRAINING RETREAT

FOR SPIRITUAL MEGAN MCKENNA

DIRECTORS Spirituality Retreat
Feb. 4 - 6, 2011

SAN DAMIANO RETRET TEAM

Holy Week Retreat
Apr. 21 - 24, 2011
“The use of dreams has
been the most helpful SR. ISHPRIYA
Silent Contemplative
thing in my spiritual May 23 - 27, 2011
direction practice.”
-A Recent Graduate
DR. JEREMY TAYLOR
Dream Workshop
June 17 - 19, 2011
(3 Convenient 4-Day Intensives
per year, plus Distance Learning)
We offer private retreats with
spiritual direction all year long.
www.HadenInstitute.com

7
PO Box 767 • Danville, CA 94526
for info & registration 925-837-9141 • www.sandamiano.org

A Spiritual Directors International publication Listen

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J a n u a r y 2 0 1 1 V o l 5 : I s s u e 1

“Tending the holy around the world and across traditions …

Al servicio de lo sacro alrededor del mundo y a través de las tradiciones …”
—Translated by Marta Rios and Xavier Ortiz Monasterio

Jesuit Center
501 N. Church Road, P.O. Box 223, Wernersville, PA 19565-0223
610-670-3642

2011 Winter and Spring 7- Day Directed Retreats

Jan. 18–26, Feb. 23-March 3, April 5-13,

Thomas Ryan, C.S.P. will present: PRAY ALL-WAYS on March 11-13, 2011
Contemplative living keeps our antennae up and receiver station open to the messages always coming in from the Sender. Fr. Ryan
will teach us how to hone this resonance through a variety of prayer forms and methods.

Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. will present: DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD:

An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making on April 15-17, 2011
When faced with choices in life, how can we know which choice God wills? Through experiences taken from real life, Fr.
Gallagher will help us to explore St. Ignatius's text on ways of discerning God's will.

Kathryn Fitzgerald, D.Min. and William Sneck, S.J., Ph.D. will present
A DAY FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS:
SOUL SEARCHING: Archetypes Discovered and Befriended on May 9, 2011
As we listen to our directees as well as reflect on our own journeys, our knowledge of archetypes and how they illuminate our
stories and influence our behavior can be an invaluable practical resource.

For a complete list of our retreats and workshops please visit our website: www.jesuitcenter.org.