“This was one of the best conferences overall that I have attended. There was such a gentleness and appreciation of the reverence and respect for the human condition.”
Leadership Institute
Leadership Institute
For more than twenty years, Spiritual Directors International has supported the enrichment, formation, and training of spiritual directors through its Leadership Institute. The institute is designed by leaders and for leaders. It is created especially for directors and faculty of seminaries, rabbinical colleges, and formation and training programs who would benefit from learning with colleagues from around the world and across traditions about ways others form and train spiritual directors. This is an advanced program, not intended for seekers or beginners.
Leadership Institute: Embracing Tension and Ambiguity in Spiritual Direction
Thursday, April 11, 2013
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Spiritual directors are called to hold tension and ambiguity in our service, knowing that we are led into mystery by Mystery. Holding ambiguity and tension isn’t a topic to teach one time, but rather something to attune to with multi-faith guidance and wisdom from Henri Nouwen; Parker Palmer; Thomas Merton, OCSO; Joan Chittister, OSB; Sharon Salzburg; and others.
The Leadership Institute will offer a contemplative, engaging day that explores how we might embrace ambiguity and tension in an experiential, embodied, and spacious manner. We will provide new tools, skills, and resources for navigating tension and ambiguity between spiritual director and spiritual directee, supervisor and supervisee, and teacher and trainee, which can enhance the work of formation and training programs.
The morning will offer a framework for learning that includes interactive teaching and small group work followed by an afternoon of contemplative experiential practices that invite us deeper into the topic. We will share our insights and conclude with a discussion about how we can effectively integrate this topic into our work of tending spiritual directors in training.
The Leadership Institute will be facilitated by Wil Hernandez, PhD, and Karen Erlichman, LCSW.
Wil Hernandez, PhD, resides in California, USA, and is the author of the trilogy: Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection, Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration, and the recently released Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities: A Life of Tension.
Karen Erlichman, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, spiritual director, supervisor, and mentor in San Francisco, California, USA. She is a faculty member of the Master of Spiritual Guidance Program at Sofia University. Karen was prepared as a facilitator by Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal.
Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Welcome
Morning Session: Interactive teaching and small groups
Noon Midday Meal (meal included)
Afternoon Session: Contemplative experiential practices
Closing reflections
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
Cost:
Before January 15, 2013 - USD $125 (includes midday meal)
After January 15, 2013 - USD $150 (includes midday meal)
2013 Planning Team:
Wendie Bernstein Lash, MS, Morei Derekh Jewish Spiritual Direction Program, bi-coastal, USA
Rev. Lynette Dungan, MA, Uniting Church in Australia, Wellspring Ecumenical Spirituality Centre, Ashburton, Victoria, Australia
Karen Erlichman, MSS, LCSW, Sofia University, Palo Alto, California, USA
Wil Hernandez, PhD, Nouwen Legacy, Pasadena, California, USA
Michele Krakowski, Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Cultivating Compassion on the River
April 11: Leadership Institute
April 11: Spirituality and Health Care Institute
April 11: Free Community Event
April 12-14: Conference
April 13, 14: Field Trip
April 15: Pilgrimage
April 16-18: Contemplative Retreat
