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DISCERNMENT IN SUPERVISION School of Spiritual Direction: Spiritual Direction Supervision
A Review of Discernment ! Following from Larry Warner’s course, Prayerful Discernment II, “discernment” in the Ignatian sense refers to a “growing awareness of our internal movements”. ! These internal movements are those that move us in our heart versus those that move us into our head (“false reasonings”) ! A review of what constitutes “spiritual discernment”: ! “The discernment of spirits has to do with distinguishing among the stirrings of our heart.” In this manner, we are able to recognize those stirrings that move us toward God and leads to consolation versus those that move us away from God and leads to desolation. ! Through the process of discernment we are able to “sift” through our experiences by “taking note” or “noticing” and reflecting on our affective responses. ! Through reflecting on our feelings we are able to determine the direction our feelings are moving us – toward God or away from God – into consolation or into desolation.
A Review of Discernment ! According to Timothy Gallagher, OMV, one way of using Ignatius’ Rules for Discernment is: ! “Be Aware”: notice the feelings and thoughts you are having ! “Understand”: notice the direction of those interior movements ! “Take Action”: choose the direction in which you wish to go ! Remember: ! The foundation of discernment is prayer. ! There is no discernment without prayer.
A Process of Discernment in Supervision ! Start with discernment in your direction sessions to identify what to bring into supervision: ! Notice what stirs within as you (i.e., feelings, emotions, body sensations) reflect on your direction session(s) either areas of tension, upset, anger, frustration, stuckness, etc. or joy, peace, love, flow, elation, contentment, etc. What corresponding thoughts do you have? ! What happened in the session that gave rise to these feelings, emotions, sensations, thoughts? ! Do these feelings, sensations, thoughts bring a feeling of agitation and unfreedom or a feeling of peace and interior freedom? ! Are they moving you into your head or are they coming from your heart? ! What corresponding Rule for Discernment seems to fit with your interior experience?
A Process of Discernment in Supervision ! In supervision: ! As you bring your focus question and the specific situation from your direction session to your supervisor, notice your feelings, emotions, body sensations, inner dialogue, even memories, as they arise. ! Do these create within you greater agitation and tension or do they create an inner warmth, a peace, a joy? In essence, do they signify for you a movement into desolation or a movement into consolation? ! What might that suggest to you? Is there a “growing edge” there? What might God’s invitation to you be? ! Any of the above points may be something to discuss with your supervisor.