If you spend enough time reading spirituality books, you’ll eventually run across the term “spiritual direction.” Even devout Catholics might wonder: what’s that?

Spiritual directors help people with their personal relationships with God. The practice may overlap with several disciplines, but it is distinct from each other. It is not psychotherapy (which often does not address spiritual experiences). It is not the sacrament of reconciliation (which focuses on sin and forgiveness). It is not pastoral counseling (which deals with a particular problem). Spiritual direction is focused on God. With a spiritual director you discuss your experiences of prayer and of God in daily life. In a tradition that goes back to the desert fathers and mothers, spiritual directors do not make decisions for you; rather, they invite you to see where God is active in your life, en-courage you to notice where you are overlooking God’s gentle voice, and help you to reflect on your prayer. The best directors do so with total freedom allowing God to do God’s own work. Also, directors are not simply holy men and women; they are trained in techniques for listening and for seeing how God is at work. Many spend years in professional programs before beginning to direct.

How can you find a spiritual director? Try contacting a retreat house or checking a web site like Spiritual Di-rectors International. After a few sessions with a spiritual director you’ll see how fruitful it is to have someone help you grow in awareness of God’s gracious activity. But the real director, as any good spiritual director will tell you, is the Holy Spirit.