It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.

from Our Real Work by Wendell Berry

There are always paths in front of us.

Stagnation, apathy, and blindness are always laboring to keep us from new paths. Stay put, they say. You’re fine. Explore no further. Do not sing. Do not dance. Just keep doing your job.

Spiritual direction opens our eyes and illuminates new paths. It is a method of explorations and practices that reveals who we are, gets us realigned with ourselves and the earth, and deepens our connections to the more than human world.

  • I approach spiritual direction with individuals in a similar way to how I approach making art: add, move, remove, refrain.

    ADD
    Together we explore where you can add – add practices such as contemplative prayer, rituals, writing, wandering the land, and modern pilgrimages/retreats. What are ways for you to add space for mystery and wonder, to develop your abilities and willingness to explore the hard places, the unknown, and to name your own goodness?

    MOVE
    We’ll look to see what existing practices and beliefs you have, and where they might need to move or be shifted in your life.

    REMOVE
    We examine what needs to be removed, the things we all do to numb or hide, things that prevent us from connection.

    REFRAIN
    It’s good to take into account what practices we do that are serving us and others well. Sometimes I find myself asking the question, “Am I doing ok?” There are some parts of my life that are important but I don’t have anyone to mirror me, to help me see me, to name what is good and true that I don’t see in myself.

    ••••••••••••

    Spiritual direction is like a trail guide – someone who understands where you are, where you’d like to go, and different paths and practices to help you move in that direction. It’s challenging, risky, and at times might feel unsafe. A question we must ask ourselves is do we truly believe that we are not alone? Do we believe that there is a power greater than ourselves, that there are plays within plays that we cannot see? If these things intrigue you, then spiritual direction is a path to consider.

  • Here’s the thing: you do not need me. Everything you need you already have. Everything that can lead you into more intimacy with God, with yourself, your relationships, the earth – you already have access to all of it, and it’s completely free. It is in you and it is around you. How you go about finding it, or letting it find you – that’s the question.

    And for some of us a guide is helpful. Not only someone who will listen, but also someone who can point you towards pre-existing paths to walk down, paths you might need to carve out, and practices to take you into more depths of being.

    That is what I hope to be for you: a guide to point you towards the holy, walk with you at times, and at others send you off because there are places only you can traverse.

    •••••••••••••••

    $125 / 90min session
    I offer a free 60min session for individuals to give us each a chance to discern if we are a fit for each other in this work.

    Suggested frequency of sessions is every other week, though I am flexible to your needs.

    Sliding scale available for those who need it. I don’t want cost to be prohibitive.

    Sessions are over Zoom. In-person sessions available to those in the Chicago area.

You can find out more about me on the info and writing pages, and you can always begin a conversation on the contact page or through email at j@joshualongbrake.com.

No matter what, whether through spiritual direction or some other path, my genuine hope is that you are able to hear the pulsing cry of the world around you that says you are loved and you are wanted.

Go as far as you can into that wild desire.