Reading and writing requirements associated with the Spiritual Guidance Program

Readings and Establishing Library Resources

Readings follow the sequence indicated below with seminar information. Applicants will need to establish library resources in their local areas so that bibliography readings can be obtained during the course of the Program. Theological schools, convents, monasteries, and houses of religious studies are good resources. A brief representative bibliography is included to assist with this. Copies of required journal articles and selections from out-of-print books will be sent to participants by the Shalem office.

Sequence of Topics Covered

The content of staff-led gatherings includes the following sequence of subjects specifically related to spiritual direction:

A. Continuing Topics Covering the Entire Program Time:

1.     Prayer and Christian Spirituality
2.     The Body and Prayer
3.     Classics of Christian Spirituality
4.     Spiritual Guidance in Christian History
5.     The Arts and Spirituality
6.     Spirituality for Our Time

1.     Entering One-to-One Spiritual Direction
2.     Theological Grounding
3.     Scripture and Spiritual Direction
4.     Discernment
5.     Psychology and Spiritual Direction
6.     Contemporary Social Contexts for Spiritual Direction (Family, Gender, Work, Social Vision, etc.)

1.     Corporate Worship and Community
2.     Group Guidance
3.     Spiritual Direction in Other Traditions
4.     Spiritual Journey in John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila

Papers

Four personal, integrative Theme Papers of 4-6 double-spaced pages each are required, each focused on a major theme drawn from the reading and seminar sequences (e.g., Entering One-to-One Spiritual Direction, Discernment, Psychology and Spiritual Direction, Social Contexts). A final integrative or research paper of 6-12 double-spaced pages is required near the end of the Program. Specific guidelines for these papers are given. One-page reports of associates' direction, readings, and personal discipline are requested periodically. Associates also need to complete all written program evaluations.

Reflection and Feedback

Each associate is assigned a staff contact person for the course of the Program. This staff person will respond to regular reports. Staff persons responsible for the particular topical areas covered by the papers respond to them. In addition, associates meet privately with their staff persons during each residency. These times are opportunities for mutual feedback and for associates to deal with special concerns and interests, ranging from Program issues to relationships with their spiritual directors. Other staff consultation can be arranged as needed.

Associates will be expected to participate in prayerful reflection and feedback concerning their own and others' gifts and growing edges as spiritual companions. Individual meetings with staff and mutual peer reflection will assist this process.  It is hoped that this overall experience will enrich associates' on-going discernment of their gifts and callings to the ministry of spiritual guidance.  Associates will also provide periodic feedback to the staff about their sense of the process and content of the program itself. Staff will provide responses to theme papers and major papers, but there are no examinations or grades given. If an associate requires periodic evaluation for academic credit, a pass/fail report will be given as needed to the accrediting institution based upon fulfillment of Program requirements.

Sample Bibliography

The following list is a small but somewhat representative sample of required or recommended resources used in the Shalem Spiritual Guidance Program. This is provided for your information, and to assist you in making arrangements for library resources in your area. Starred (*) references will be used extensively, and you should seriously consider purchasing these. A full bibliography will be made available after final selection of applicants.

Sample Books:

Barry, Wm. & Connolly, Wm. The Practice of Spiritual Direction.
* Bass, Dorothy, ed. Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for Searching People.
Bloom, Anthony. Living Prayer, and Courage to Pray.
The Cloud of Unknowing.
DeMello, Anthony. Sadhana: A Way to God.
Dougherty, Rose Mary. Group Spiritual Direction: Community for Discernment.
* Edwards, Tilden. Spiritual Director, Spiritual Companion.
Foster, R. Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith.
Francis de Sales. Introduction to the Devout Life.
Gula, Richard. The Good Life: Where Morality and Spirituality Converge.
* Hart, Thomas. The Art Of Christian Listening.
Holt, Bradley. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality.
Ignatius Loyola. Spiritual Exercises.
* Jaoudi, Maria. Christian Mysticism--East and West.
John of the Cross. Ascent of Mt. Carmel; Dark Night of the Soul ; etc.
Johnston, W. The Inner Eye of Love.
* Kelly, Thomas. Testament of Devotion.
Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith.
Leech, Kenneth. True Prayer.
* May, Gerald. Care Of Mind/Care of Spirit and Will and Spirit.
Merton, Thomas. Spiritual Direction and Meditation.
Teresa of Avila. Interior Castle; Life; etc.
Trungpa, Chogyam. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.
Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism.
Walker, Alice. The Color Purple.

Sample Journals:

Note: Copies of all required journal articles will be sent to you.

If you would like to apply for this program or need additional information, contact Katy Gaughan the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 x202 or download the application form (PDF) now.