Spiritual Guidance and Mentoring for Women
Also known as Spiritual Direction
Hello friend,
Spiritual guidance (direction or companionship) is an ancient practice found in many of the world's wisdom traditions. I often think of it as a holy encounter with a trustworthy guide who lovingly and gently points you back to "the Sacred"* as you understand it. Spiritual guidance provides a safe place for you to explore and deepen your unique understanding of life within a spiritual context with an experienced, well trained, and compassionate guide.
I companion women of all religious, spiritual and ethical traditions, as well as those who might identify themselves as "spiritually independent." My training and life experience inform the kind of companionship I offer which is sourced in Perennial Wisdom and may be best understood as "interfaith," or "interspiritual."
Nothing brings me more joy than connecting with a kindred spirit who is dedicated to deepening her unique relationship to the Sacred; to live more kindly and gently with others; to be guided by the Heart of Compassion so we may serve each other well, promote healing and hope, returning to the spirit of Oneness that flows through all.
Spiritual guidance (direction or companionship) is an ancient practice found in many of the world's wisdom traditions. I often think of it as a holy encounter with a trustworthy guide who lovingly and gently points you back to "the Sacred"* as you understand it. Spiritual guidance provides a safe place for you to explore and deepen your unique understanding of life within a spiritual context with an experienced, well trained, and compassionate guide.
I companion women of all religious, spiritual and ethical traditions, as well as those who might identify themselves as "spiritually independent." My training and life experience inform the kind of companionship I offer which is sourced in Perennial Wisdom and may be best understood as "interfaith," or "interspiritual."
Nothing brings me more joy than connecting with a kindred spirit who is dedicated to deepening her unique relationship to the Sacred; to live more kindly and gently with others; to be guided by the Heart of Compassion so we may serve each other well, promote healing and hope, returning to the spirit of Oneness that flows through all.
* I use the term, the "Sacred," to denote our inter-cultural/interspiritual understanding of ultimate reality, God, presence, the All, Spirit, Brahman, Creator, Essence, etc. This encompasses, in my view, any term each of us might use to describe our knowing of a transcendent experience of life and true self. We each must find our unique way of understanding and living into this.
It's Nice to Meet You!
Spiritual Orientation
In terms of spiritual orientation, I have been known to describe myself as having Christian roots, Buddhist wings, and an Interspiritual heart. In light of emerging terms being used to describe one's religious/spiritual orientation, I could also say that I am a "Spiritually Independent" individual. I tend not to use labels to categorize myself or others when it comes to our unfolding relationship with the Sacred.
Areas of Specialty
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For the past 24 years, I have been blessed to companion women of all spiritual persuasions and have developed some "specialties" including:
• compassionate care of Self • women and their life passages (including exploring the Sacred Feminine) • navigating health issues/living with a chronic health condition • aging, grief and loss/death and dying • addiction and recovery • creating a contemplative lifestyle and cultivating spiritual practices • spiritually independent, "spiritually fluid," or "multiply religious" • individuals in the borderlands having left religious traditions behind • mystics of all traditions • yogic and Buddhist seekers • spiritual care for spiritual directors, spiritual caregivers, and clergy |
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Training and Life Experience
I am a spiritual director/guide in private practice since 2002. I am also The Gerald May Professor of Spiritual Direction and Counseling at the Graduate Theological Foundation, as well as a pastoral and grief counselor. Within my private practice, I include elements from all of my training over the years to create a hybrid form of service that benefits my clients uniquely given what they may need in the moment, including Spiritual Mentoring. It is a privilege to bring spiritual guidance into my teaching through online classes, retreats, Sadhanas and pilgrimages.
I earned my Certificate in Spiritual Direction through The Center for Spirituality at Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, MI. From 2003-2017, I served as adjunct staff at Dominican Center, leading contemplative programs and retreats, supervising spiritual directors in training, and offering spiritual direction as well. I hold a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Direction; a Doctor of Psychology degree in Pastoral Logotherapy; and a Grief Support Specialist certification (from The University of WI, Madison).
I have been honored to serve as a spiritual director for various organizations over the years including The Center for Action and Contemplation and Spiritual Directors International.
In 2017, because of my doctoral studies focus, I developed a unique protocol for sacred listening, "Pure Presence"™, rooted in both the Eastern and Western traditions of body-mind science and contemplative spirituality.
Currently, I am also a supervisor and trainer of spiritual directors and grief care providers through The Metta Center which I founded in 2023. The Metta Center provides specialized and advanced training for spiritual directors and companions including certification in Grief Companionship (www.mettacentertraining.com). From 2017 – 2023, I trained individuals to become interfaith spiritual directors and guides through the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute which I co-founded and co-directed.
• Active member of Spiritual Directors International and abide by their Code of Ethics.
• Accredited member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy, Vienna
• Spiritual director currently in service through Dominican Center, Grand Rapids, MI
I earned my Certificate in Spiritual Direction through The Center for Spirituality at Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, MI. From 2003-2017, I served as adjunct staff at Dominican Center, leading contemplative programs and retreats, supervising spiritual directors in training, and offering spiritual direction as well. I hold a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Direction; a Doctor of Psychology degree in Pastoral Logotherapy; and a Grief Support Specialist certification (from The University of WI, Madison).
I have been honored to serve as a spiritual director for various organizations over the years including The Center for Action and Contemplation and Spiritual Directors International.
In 2017, because of my doctoral studies focus, I developed a unique protocol for sacred listening, "Pure Presence"™, rooted in both the Eastern and Western traditions of body-mind science and contemplative spirituality.
Currently, I am also a supervisor and trainer of spiritual directors and grief care providers through The Metta Center which I founded in 2023. The Metta Center provides specialized and advanced training for spiritual directors and companions including certification in Grief Companionship (www.mettacentertraining.com). From 2017 – 2023, I trained individuals to become interfaith spiritual directors and guides through the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute which I co-founded and co-directed.
• Active member of Spiritual Directors International and abide by their Code of Ethics.
• Accredited member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy, Vienna
• Spiritual director currently in service through Dominican Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Contact Me
I welcome your questions and an initial conversation to determine if Spiritual Guidance (Direction) or Mentoring would be a good fit for you at this time of your life.
"The kind spirit with which Jan approaches each person's individual needs is a huge part of why people are changed. Her generosity and clarity is a gift to each person. I always felt safe and protected by her guidance. She was very accessible and available, but never smothering, which made you feel that you were loved and never alone on your journey."
~ Jodi P,. Educator, CA, USA
~ Jodi P,. Educator, CA, USA