The practice of spiritual companionship, or spiritual direction, is a relationship in which one person supports another to discern the presence of the Divine in their life. I prefer the term spiritual companion because it suggests that the true director is the Spirit — while the seeker and companion listen and wait together for wisdom to emerge.

Spiritual companionship has deep roots across religious traditions, and I am most familiar with its history within Christianity. My own journey with the Divine has been deeply informed by liberation theology, mystics across traditions, and womanism (defined by Alice Walker as someone who “loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself. Regardless.)

Early Monastic Origins

Spiritual direction can be traced back to the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the 3rd and 4th centuries in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. People sought out these early monastics for counsel on prayer, asceticism, and discernment. The relationship between an abba (“father”) or amma (“mother”) and a disciple became a model for later spiritual guidance.

Contemporary Spiritual Companions

Today, spiritual companionship is found across religious traditions and in interfaith and secular contexts. Modern spiritual companions are often trained in the art of listening, creative embodiment and contemplative practices, focusing on helping people notice and respond to the movements of the Spirit in daily life. The spiritual companion acts as a guide and "soul friend," asking open-ended questions to help the seeker explore their spiritual experiences and concerns. The shared journey can help assuage the loneliness of one’s spiritual path, providing support and helping to cultivate spiritual growth.