IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION NECESSARY?
“‘The
first thing that we could say about a spiritual director is that everybody
needs one,’ Johnson said.
“It’s
a point on which not everyone in the world of spiritual direction and formation
completely agrees.”
—Mary Farrow, “Spiritual direction: What is it, who needs it, and why?” Catholic News Agency, January 1, 2019
I
strongly disagree with Johnson, and as the article itself notes, some would
agree with my view.
The
Ethiopian eunuch certainly benefited spiritually from the counsel of the
apostle Philip. At this point I would ask—is every priest or spiritual
counselor the apostle Philip?
Bad,
I would even say, very bad spiritual
directors abound.
Here
is what I believe is necessary for every pilgrim in the spiritual life:
-
Live according to the law of God
To
the extent that spiritual direction fosters growth in this direction, it is
well advised. But a personal spiritual director isn’t necessary. You can live
according to God’s law and love God fervently without a personal spiritual
director.
However,
you cannot live this way without the guidance and teaching of the Roman
Catholic Church, which is available through means other than a personal
spiritual director.
The
lives of many saints show that spiritual direction is not necessary to attain holiness
pleasing to God.
Spiritual
direction, like any exercise of religious and spiritual authority, can be and is abused. A priest, even a priest
trained in spiritual direction, is not necessarily the best source of
assistance for the pilgrim in the spiritual life.
Spiritual
direction, generally speaking, is to some extent incompetent to deal with
psychological and psychiatric problems, because although the latter intersect with
spiritual problems, they are separable. Psychological and psychiatric problems
require appropriate professional help. Sometimes, the spiritual director is
incapable of providing that help.
We
should not act contrary to our conscience. To do so is always morally wrong,
even if in any one particular case our conscience might be wrong. Saved by our
conscience, we are also damned by our conscience. If a spiritual director
compels you to act against your conscience, he or she is simply wrong,
according to this principle.
We
should give the counsel of a spiritual director its due. Only after doing so should
we act, but always according to the judgment of our conscience.
We
should understand the role spiritual direction plays in the spiritual life and apply
the appropriate criteria when engaging it.
The
path of the spiritual life is a rocky road, not easily navigated. The best
advice I would give in traveling this dangerous way is to depend on God over
and above everything else.
Don’t depend on a spiritual director.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN OPUS DEI
A spiritual director today is not going to get by on traditional Roman Catholic spirituality alone. A psychology background sufficient to recognize problems and refer someone properly is necessary.
“People who seek a spiritual guide or companion expect psychological insight or at least a lived awareness of human dynamics. The need for fundamental knowledge of human psychology is based on Christian incarnation, which assumes that God works in and through the ordinary processes of human growth and development. …the director should be able to recognize some of the typical symptoms of psychological or emotional disorder, disability, or disease. There should be some minimal recognition of the distinctly different developmental processes and psychological dynamics between men and women. Finally, it is of the utmost importance…for the director to have the humility and knowledge to recommend that emotionally troubled directees seek professional clinical intervention rather than using pop psychology to handle their problems.”—Frank J. Houdek, S.J., Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction (1996), page 137
Opus Dei directors have zero background in clinical psychology, as a rule. They rely on medieval Thomistic psychology—unscientific, in some important respects simplistic—which ignores the major advances in scientific clinical psychology and is besides primitive and inadequate to vital clinical applications today.
Supervision, experience, and maturity—the latter comes with age—of the spiritual director is also necessary for them to be effective. Much harm—lifelong damage even—can be done by youthful, immature spiritual directors who depend on their theoretical understanding, sometimes inadequate—due to obstacles imposed against accessing relevant scientific or theological knowledge, or for whatever reason—without any or sufficient grounding in practical applications, which is to say, reality.
“Some spiritual fathers are likely to be a hindrance and harm rather than a help to…souls…. Such directors have neither understanding nor experience of these ways. They are like the builders of the Tower of Babel [Gen. 11:1-9]. When these builders were supposed to provide the proper materials for the project, they brought entirely different supplies because they failed to understand the language. And thus nothing was accomplished.”—Saint John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Prologue, 4
The above problems can be significantly avoided by appropriate supervision, which over some years should lead an inexperienced spiritual director to acquire adequate, if imperfect, competence.
Although relevant theological knowledge is necessary in spiritual direction, interestingly, in the opinion of Saint Teresa of Avila, it is not absolutely so.
“It is very important that the master [spiritual director] have prudence—I mean that he have good judgment—and experience; if besides these he has learning, so much the better. But if one cannot find there three qualifications together, the first two are more important since men with a background in studies can be sought out and consulted when there is need. I say that if these learned men do not practice prayer their learning is of little help….”—Saint Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, Chapter 13, 16
I would underscore that if a director lacks relevant theological knowledge—human beings are limited, after all, in their capacity for knowledge—then it should be sought out by the directee from the proper sources.
Often enough Opus Dei is obstructed in the task of
spiritual direction because its primary agenda is not to help people
spiritually but to propagate itself. The organization relies on a self-serving
distillation of historical Roman Catholic spirituality—something that suits the
objective of propagating the organization but that clearly does not address the
spiritual needs of many because it is narrow in scope and deficient in
understanding.
Photo free for commercial use, no attribution required
ReplyDeletePhoto link:
https://pixabay.com/photos/horse-horse-rocking-chair-2748556/
Gonzalinho
The human instrument, the director, is just that: an instrument. God normally chooses to work through such a person. But he is not bound to do so.
ReplyDelete…When we are beginners, we have the experiences but we do not know how to interpret them. That is why direction is essential for beginners who truly wish to grow. But if those early directors have been good co-discerners, good diagnosticians who were willing to give reasons for their diagnosis, then we ourselves should be equipped for the work of discernment as we mature. If so, then experience is the best teacher.
In Thomas H. Green, S.J., The Friend of the Bridegroom (2000), pages 108-109
Gonzalinho
It’s necessary to develop, through personal experience and good spiritual direction, the capacity to discern the spirits for ourselves. We cannot be dependent on obedience to a spiritual director.
DeleteGonzalinho
In Opus Dei obedience in spiritual direction is propounded in an absolutist manner. At the same time, the spiritual director never publicly accepts responsibility for their dictatorial style of direction, which originates in Saint Josemaria Escriva. The director may do so privately, but never publicly, to hide any mistakes or deny them and thereby defend the reputation of the institution. All the blame—all the responsibility—is supposed to fall on the directee. The directee never really decides—it is the director who decides—yet the directee is supposed to accept all the responsibility for the consequences of their obedience if anything goes awry. If they don’t obey the director, they are just as well responsible. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t. The lifetime narrative is that the directee is always at fault, always responsible. Opus Dei itself never admits wrongdoing because it works against its overweening self-interest. It’s another case of the victimizer blaming the victim. It’s policy and practice consistent, in fact, with the ethos of the Roman Catholic Church, currently and historically.
ReplyDeleteGonzalinho
In Opus Dei the director will even tell you the color of shoes you’re supposed to wear. Is this how the laity are supposed to live their lives?
ReplyDeleteObedience to a spiritual director is unnecessary. What is necessary is obedience to God's law.
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
ReplyDeleteCounseling is psychotherapy that has been scientifically shown to result in beneficial therapeutic effects by addressing “normative developmental and mental health issues and challenges,” in the words of the American Psychological Association.
“Problems addressed
“Counseling psychologists focus on normative developmental and mental health issues and challenges faced by individuals across their lifespan, as well as systemic challenges (such as prejudice and discrimination) experienced in groups, workplaces, organizations, institutions, and communities. They use strengths-based perspectives and practices to prevent and ameliorate emotional, relational, physical/health-related, social, cultural, vocational, educational, and identity-related problems.”
https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/counseling
—“Counseling Psychology,” American Psychological Association, created 2008, last updated May 2022
Although in some respects counseling and spiritual direction intersect, counseling itself is basically different because its starting point is scientific human psychology. According to this scientific framework, the objective of counseling is to promote healthy psychology.
In contrast, Roman Catholic spiritual direction is spiritual theology, specifically, theology of spiritual guidance. Spiritual direction is based on theological anthropology and draws its principles from faith in the revelation of God.
Roman Catholic spiritual direction is not equipped to deal with the entirety of human psychology.
Spiritual direction is especially problematic when it is the cause of human dysfunction.
Talkspace, a professional counseling services company, offers an excellent exposition of the instances under which a subject is advised to seek counseling.
begin
What is Therapy and How Can It Help?
Talk therapy (also called psychotherapy) is a space to talk through your thoughts, emotions, experiences, and challenges with a licensed mental health professional. It can help you better understand your emotions, life’s circumstances, and your reaction to them.
Therapy works for everyone, not just for people experiencing a mental health crisis. It’s especially valuable for those who are struggling with emotions, stress, relationships, or major life changes. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 75% of people who participate in psychotherapy experience some benefit from it, including improved emotional well-being and daily functioning.
To be continued
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
DeleteContinued
…How Do I Know If I Need Therapy?
One of the most common misconceptions about therapy is that you need to be in crisis before reaching out for support. In reality, many people start therapy because they’re struggling with stress, difficult emotions, relationship challenges, or life changes that feel hard to manage on their own.
How do you know if you need therapy? A good place to start is by paying attention to how you’re feeling and functioning day to day. Are you finding it difficult to get through the day or enjoy things you once looked forward to? Do stress, worry, sadness, or frustration seem harder to manage than usual? Have changes in your mood, sleep, relationships, or ability to cope started affecting your quality of life?
You might also find yourself wondering whether symptoms you’re experiencing are related to ADHD or anxiety, anxiety or depression, or whether it’s an entirely different mental health challenge. Asking questions like these can be an important first step toward understanding what support you may need. The signs aren’t always obvious, but if emotional or mental challenges are making it harder to function, feel like yourself, or move through daily life, therapy may be worth considering.
“Therapy can be beneficial for most anyone. Of course, there are specific signs and symptoms that indicate conditions or challenges that clearly need therapeutic intervention. It’s also important to remember that therapy can be approached from a maintenance and wellbeing perspective as well. Seeing a therapist for a mental health check-in every once in a while can be a great way to solidify mentally healthy habits, or get in a quick mental health tune-up.”
—Talkspace Therapist, Amy Cirbus, PhD, LMHC
Key Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to seek help, whether it’s from a licensed therapist or mental health professional.
1. Irregular sleep habits
A study in Healthcare shows that sleeping too much, or not getting enough sleep, is a classic sign that something else may be going on. Sleep and mental health are very closely related. When you’re not getting enough sleep, you might begin to have more negative thoughts or become more emotional. Sleep issues are more common for those with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar disorder.
2. Feeling incredibly overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed can affect how you think and act, impacting your mental health condition. It can make it hard to navigate the very basics of life, as you may be experiencing intense and extreme emotional distress that results in difficulty making rational decisions. You might even find yourself increasingly unable to handle basic daily functions.
People who feel emotionally overwhelmed may be extremely stressed and expressing emotional distress, going through relationship or job issues, or have experienced serious trauma.
To be continued 2
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
DeleteContinued 2
3. Avoiding social situations
If you’ve recently begun to withdraw from social situations and friends or isolate yourself, you may be dealing with something more than just feeling a little bit blue or down. A change in behavior when it comes to how social you are can be a telltale sign that it may be time to think about getting therapy — especially if you find you’re avoiding things you once enjoyed or loved doing. Social anxiety can result in going to great lengths to not have to interact in social settings.
4. Feelings of hopelessness
Are you constantly thinking: do I need to see a therapist? Do you feel hopeless more days than not? Feeling hopeless can create a spiral of negative thinking. It can make seeing the light at the end of a tunnel incredibly difficult.
Feelings of hopelessness may be a sign of depression, a serious but common mood disorder that can affect how you think, feel, and act. According to research in Archives of General Psychiatry, depression affects about 1 out of 6 adults at one point in their life.
5. Inability to control your emotions
Emotional instability is a sign you might be in mental health decline. It might feel like it’s increasingly difficult to respond to your emotions. The cause can be related to either a mental health condition or a situational event in your life. Therapy may be able to help both. The inability to control emotions tends to be a symptom of mood and anxiety disorders.
Need convenient mental health support? Talkspace will match you with a licensed therapist within days.
Start therapy
6. You’re consumed by intrusive thoughts
Have your thoughts become intrusive? Are they starting to take over your days? If you’re consumed with anxiety-riddled thoughts, you might want to consider therapy to help you break your thought patterns. Learning how to accept or challenge your thoughts and how to manage them so you can live a healthy, productive life are all byproducts of the right therapist and effective therapy. Intrusive thoughts may be the result of extreme stress or anxiety.
7. You just don’t care
Failing to care about your life is a sign that your mental health is suffering. Feeling irritable all the time, or like you just don’t have the energy or care enough to do basic things like shower regularly, get out of bed, or show up for work or school — these are all signs that it’s time to seek help. Not caring is common in people who have clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder.
8. Change in eating habits
If you suddenly begin eating more or less than what’s normal for you, you may be experiencing what’s known as emotional eating. People who are having mental health struggles often see a change in their eating habits.
This can become problematic when it progresses into disordered eating, which is a range of eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating disorder. Therapy can help with emotional eating, which is common in people who are experiencing mental health struggles.
To be continued 3
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
DeleteContinued 3
9. Work or school issues
When a mental health issue leads to difficulty being productive at work or at school as a teenager, you can begin feeling even more overwhelmed. Additional stress that stems from knowing you’re not doing your best or living up to expectations can quickly culminate into bigger problems.
Having issues focusing on work or school can result from any number of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more.
10. Trauma
Past trauma can interfere with how you relate to people or anything else in your life. Trauma can be difficult to overcome on your own, but with therapy, it is possible. If you’ve recently experienced a trauma, or are dealing with an old traumatic experience that’s coming to the surface, you might want to try trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT has been found very effective in helping people overcome negative thought patterns related to their trauma so they can move past it. Traumatic experiences like past abuse, addiction, abandonment issues, and more can lead to needing help.
11. Grief
Grief can be tricky because there’s no timeline or one way people do it. But it’s also incredibly difficult to navigate on your own. There is no hard rule about how long someone should take to go through the grieving process.
But if your grief has been extended and is now affecting your daily life, you might want to consider grief therapy. It’s important to remember that grief isn’t always the result of a death. It’s common to grieve the loss of a job, a relationship, a major move, and more.
12. Relationship problems
Relationship issues can serve as a significant indicator that therapy might be beneficial. If you find yourself frequently arguing with your partner, feeling dissatisfied, or experiencing communication breakdowns that you can’t seem to resolve, these might be signs you need therapy. Relationship problems can often mask deeper individual issues that can be explored and addressed in talk therapy.
It’s often in the context of our relationships that our most intense and difficult emotions come to the surface. A therapist can help you understand these patterns and work towards better mental health, both individually and in your relationships.
To be continued 4
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
DeleteContinued 4
“When mental health issues aren’t addressed, there’s a risk of worsening symptoms and it may take longer for symptom relief when they are finally addressed.”
—Talkspace Therapist, Amy Cirbus, PhD, LMHC
13. Feeling worried or anxious regularly
Experiencing worry or anxiety occasionally is a normal part of life, but when these feelings become overwhelming or a daily occurrence, it might indicate a deeper mental health concern. Frequent anxiety can be debilitating, affecting your ability to function normally in your daily life.
Consider discussing your anxiety with a mental health professional if it’s interfering with your happiness and ability to cope. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a particularly effective therapy for anxiety, as it helps you change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
14. Feeling depressed
Depression deeply affects your emotional state, leading to a significant impact on your day-to-day life. It’s not just severe sadness but a profound emptiness that may prevent you from enjoying life, affecting your productivity at work and your relationships at home.
Recognizing these feelings and understanding their impact can be the first steps toward finding a way to cope with them.
15. Struggling to cope with challenges
When ordinary challenges start to feel overwhelming, it can be a signal that you might not be managing stress effectively. This constant state of overwhelm can diminish your enjoyment of life and make you feel as though you’re always in recovery mode from one day to the next. Learning new strategies to handle life’s pressures can make a significant difference in your daily contentment and effectiveness.
16. Difficulty controlling anger
While anger is a natural and sometimes necessary emotion, it becomes a concern when it’s out of proportion to the situation at hand. If your anger feels uncontrollable, erupts frequently, or impacts your relationships, it’s important to consider what’s driving these intense reactions. Finding constructive ways to express anger and frustration can greatly improve your interactions and personal health.
To be continued 5
Gonzalinho
WHEN IS COUNSELING NECESSARY?
DeleteContinued 5
When Should You Reach Out to a Therapist?
You don’t need to wait for a crisis to see a therapist. Many people seek therapy when daily stress, anxiety or sadness start interfering with their routines, relationships or sleep.
It can also be helpful if you notice you’re stuck in the same negative thought patterns, struggling to cope with a major life change or leaning on unhealthy coping strategies like drinking, overeating or withdrawal.
If emotional challenges feel overwhelming, last longer than a few weeks or make it difficult to function at work, school or home, that’s usually a clear sign it’s time to reach out to a mental health professional. Some people also choose therapy proactively as a space to process feelings, set goals or improve communication skills before problems escalate. You might benefit from therapy any time you feel “off” for longer than usual, can’t shake a problem on your own or want guided support for personal growth. You can also take a free mental health test to assess whether you might need therapy.
end
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/do-i-need-therapy/
—Amy Cirbus Ph.D, LMHC, LPC, clinically reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings, LCSW-S, “Do I Need Therapy? 16 Signs to Consider,” Talkspace, October 7, 2021
Gonzalinho
SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN OPUS DEI
ReplyDeleteEffects of Psychological Abuse
The impact and effect of psychological abuse
Psychological abuse can result in serious, and long-lasting, harm. It can impact on someone’s ability to parent, work, socialise and generally function day-to-day.
Survivors may feel:
confused, anxious or under pressure
low self-esteem or self-worth
exhausted, worn down, a lack of motivation
emotionally withdrawn or shut down
lonely or isolated.
Ongoing effects include issues with confidence, trust, relationships finances and employment problems.
Victims may also experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or they may think about or attempt suicide or self-harm.
https://safelives.org.uk/about-domestic-abuse/what-is-domestic-abuse/psychological-abuse/
—“Psychological abuse,” SafeLives: Ending domestic abuse
Definition of Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behavior in a religious context. Spiritual abuse can have a deeply damaging impact on those who experience it. However, holding a theological position is not in itself inherently spiritually abusive, but misuse of scripture, applied theology and doctrine is often a component of spiritually abusive behaviour.
https://thirtyoneeight.org/media/4upcux21/spiritual-abuse-position-statement.pdf
—Church’s Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), “Spiritual Abuse: A Position Paper,” February 2018
To be continued
Gonzalinho
SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN OPUS DEI
DeleteContinued
The above definition indicates power asymmetry and its abuse by the perpetrator. The abuser is motivated to coerce, i.e., exercise power over the weaker party. They use religiously based words, i.e. theology, principally but not solely.
Theology insofar as it is conceived, understood, or implemented, in this manner becomes the instrument of the abuse of power in an asymmetrical relationship.
begin
Effects of Spiritual Abuse
What are the consequences of spiritual abuse for a person?
That depends on his or her personality, and the duration, type and intensity of the abuse. Symptoms and consequences can appear immediately, or only in the medium or long term. I distinguish six levels.
On the physical level, there is often diffuse pain: severe tension, headaches or back pain. The person may struggle with tremors, sweat profusely or generally feel weak and drained.
On the psychological level, the consequences are low self-esteem, insecurity and a negative self-image. Those affected find it difficult to be happy without worries. In the medium and long term, it can lead to anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, depression, addictions and even attempted suicide.
On a psycho-social level, loss of trust, distrust, isolation and relationship problems can show up.
On the emotional level, feelings of guilt or shame are common, as well as a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness. Anxiety, sadness, loneliness, but also anger or rage can spread.
At the cognitive level—mind and intellect—those affected may have problems with thinking critically and questioning, making decisions or making plans for the future.
And finally there is the spiritual level, the most important in this context. Spiritual abuse can wreak havoc on and even destroy faith, the image of the Church, the image of God and the relationship with God.
Victims could ask themselves: What kind of God is this? Why didn’t he intervene? Why could I be used on his behalf?
end
https://www.focolaremedia.com/magazine/content/devastating-effects-spiritual-abuse?srsltid=AfmBOooBjK3JCkn_SD_4Op0T0SQ_3RcGWBBCdLy2APyvUq9Jy2ILprMY
—Clemens Behr, “The devastating effects of spiritual abuse,” Focolare Media, May 31, 2022
To be continued 2
Gonzalinho
SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN OPUS DEI
DeleteContinued 2
Damage can indeed be severe, e.g., suicidality, which is defined by the APA as “the risk of suicide, usually indicated by suicidal ideation or intent.”
OPUS DEI PRIEST COMMITS SUICIDE
…the num[erary] priest who committed suicide was Fr. Danilo Eterovic. He was the first Bolivian numerary. According to a witness he jumped in front of a train in 2014 in Buenos Aires. He had a note in his pocket that read “I was told by Fr. Jorge C. that I have no duties in SG, SR, SM (I have been refused/rejected). I am very ILL. I don’t know how it got to this.”
Opus dei issued a communique that he had died as a result of an accident.
Ref[erences]:
SG = St. Gabriel (work with adults, aiming to produce supernumerary vocations and donations)
SR = St. Raphael (work with youth, aiming to produce celibate vocations to opus dei)
SM = St. Michael (apostolic work with celibate members of opus dei)
https://www.reddit.com/r/opusdeiexposed/comments/1ei9u9d/opus_dei_priest_persecuted_for_constructive/
—Individual-Cobbler25, online forum post in “Opus Dei priest persecuted for constructive criticism and sound theology,” Reddit, August 3, 2024
The man was treated very badly by an institution—not just Opus Dei but the Roman Catholic Church itself—that claims to speak and act for God. No wonder that the devil got the better of this priest.
The suicide of Fr. Danilo Eterovic is mentioned in Opus Dei as Divine Revelation (2016) by E. B. E. and Opus (2024) by Gareth Gore.
Add to the singularly demented regime of the Opus Dei cult the injunction that joins encompassing mindlessness to incessantly forced cheerfulness and you have a luridly gruesome formula for inflicting damaging neurosis segueing into psychosis. It engenders deep unhappiness, chronic depression, even thoughts of suicide if not actual attempts at it.
https://oddsandendsgonzalinhodacosta.blogspot.com/2024/12/spiritual-abuse-in-opus-dei.html
Gonzalinho
A case of spiritual abuse as the cause of suicide ideation, which requires the balm of compassion and the healing oil of counseling. By Escriva’s design, Opus Dei is poorly equipped to provide this kind of help and in fact is the very cause of psychological dysfunction.
DeleteGonzalinho