Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Gift of Freedom

“If the beginner on the path to prayer is not a monastic but a person who lives in the world, she should take advantage of the gift of freedom to choose her own spiritual director and praise God for it.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)

This afternoon I met with my spiritual director, Sister Kathie McLaughlin, for a refreshing conversation on God’s grace which is ever-present and moving throughout the universe in ways we see and cannot see, and quantum physics with its many scientific principles like relativity, uncertainty, probability and nonlocality. Sister Kathie had recommended a book on quantum physics called Paradoxology written by Miriam Therese Winter, so we spent a good portion of our time considering various ideas from the book. It seems to me that many of the ideas of quantum physics are ones I have been attracted to as spiritual principles and I find it heartening and somewhat amusing that these principles are linked to science. It’s been a pleasure to learn of the connection between “the natural and supernatural” as Sister Kathie says, and it is just one example of the many joys I’ve found in spiritual direction.

Teresa frequently mentions her experiences in spiritual direction, but more often than not she finds herself at odds with her spiritual directors. No doubt she would have liked choosing her own spiritual director; however, as a monastic she was not at liberty to do so. Teresa writes, “If the beginner on the path to prayer is not a monastic but a person who lives in the world, she should take advantage of the gift of freedom to choose her own spiritual director and praise God for it.”

Tonight I am reflecting on “the gift of freedom” I have in being able to choose a spiritual director with whom I work well, and I am praising God for the time I spend with my dear spiritual friend. May you, too, take advantage of your freedom and choose a friend with whom you can share all the joys and sorrows of the spiritual life. You will be glad you did!

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