My Spiritual Direction Logo

I found this image on one of those commercial image database sites. I instantly knew this was the logo I wanted for my Spiritual Direction website presence. It reflects for me the dynamic I experience in Spiritual Direction.

I gather whoever created it had a Christian motif in mind. The image evokes the character of the Christian Trinity as the Father, Son, and the Spirit in holy dance – or perichoresis. The Greek word “perichoresis” comes from two Greek words, peri, which means “around” and chorea, which means “dance.” The word Perichoresis is not found in the New Testament. It was employed by the Church Fathers a few centuries later to describe relationships within the Trinity. The word beautifully reflects the delicate intimacy and reciprocity where God is defined by the relationship. One takes the lead, and then another, and as in dance each humbly gives way to the other.

This to me also reflects what it is like in a Spiritual Direction session.  When Spiritual Direction is working well there is a lightness to the experience.  There is no sense of anyone being in charge.  When this is happening it could be said that it is like as if there is a third presence.  This presence I call Sophia, wisdom.  She is mostly felt in the “Aha” moments for the directee.

I am happy to report that in my Spiritual Direction sessions the wisdom is not what I bring to the session, and rarely comes from my mouth, but within the supple listening, and speaking between the director, the directee, and Sophia.  This all takes place as an encounter that emerges from the heart – it is not just thought, it is felt.

Tom Stuart