SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

A conversation is not just a conversation with Ron. Sitting beside him over twenty years ago in a graduate school class, he gently (and unknowingly) challenged my dualistic, all-good-or-all-bad thinking by sharing a personal story of healing coming in the most unlikely of places. His lived experience became like a parable of Jesus or a Zen koan—surprising, confusing, and staying with me—to slowly work its wisdom into my heart...

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction is an ancient Christian practice of sacred listening and companionship. It is a regular, confidential conversation—typically meeting once a month for one hour where we look together for God’s presence, voice, and invitations in your everyday life. In this space, the true Director is the Holy Spirit. My role is simply to stand with you as a companion, helping you pay closer attention to how God is speaking to your soul, transforming your heart, and drawing you closer to Himself.

My Approach: A Blend of Traditions

My practice is rooted in the Spiritual Formation Tradition, and informed by Benedictine, Quaker, and Ignatian spirituality, which strongly emphasizes "finding God in all things." This means we look for the sacred not just in a church setting, or formal prayer, but in your relationships, your work, your joys, and your struggles.

My style is a blend of directive and non-directive approaches depending on the person and their need:

Non-Directive: Much of our time will be open and contemplative. I will hold space for you to share freely, mirroring back your thoughts and asking open-ended questions to let your own inner wisdom surface.
Directive: When helpful, I will actively offer structure. This might include introducing specific Ignatian discernment tools, guiding you through imaginative prayer practices, or suggesting specific spiritual exercises between our sessions to deepen your awareness

Investment & The Sliding Scale

I deeply believe that spiritual direction/companionship should be accessible for all, while also creating a sustainable practice for myself. For this reason, I use an income-security sliding scale based on lived experience. I trust you to self-select the tier that honestly reflects your financial reality without needing to show any documentation.

High income security ($110 – $150 per session): Choose this if you have comfortable disposable income, can easily meet basic needs, and want to help subsidize access for others.
Medium income security ($70 – $100 per session): Choose this if you can reliably meet your daily needs and have some flexibility for modest extras, but major unexpected expenses require careful budgeting.
Low income security: ($40 – $60 per session): Choose this if meeting basic needs is a frequent stressor, or you are currently navigating financial hardship or underemployment. (Assistance may be available)

Let's Connect

If you are curious about whether spiritual direction might be a good fit for you, or if you simply have questions about how we might work together, please reach out to me. I would love to answer your questions or schedule a brief, no-pressure conversation to explore the possibilities. If you don't identify as a Christian, and wondering if spiritual direction is for you, I want you to know that I seek to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone. I'm here to meet you right where you are.

- Ron McClelland