Fourth Heart
Spiritual Direction
Fourth Heart?
The Japanese suggest we are possessed of three hearts… the first is the heart we share with the world at large. It is how we wish the world to see us. The second, is the heart we share with intimates, those who offer us a bit more safety. With these people we are willing to risk a bit more. The third heart we reserve for ourselves… the vulnerable, imperfect heart… the one we fear won’t be accepted even by those who “love “ us. I argue that there is another heart, the fourth heart…the wounded heart which we hide even from ourselves. It is the acknowledgement, exploration, and acceptance of these four hearts and the secrets they keep that is the mission of Fourth Heart Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction differs a bit from psychotherapy although there are similarities. Spiritual direction is concerned with the person’s connection to Spirit and aiding the individual in defining that relationship and healing the disconnection from things Divine which often lies behind discontent with life, disease, depression and existential or psycho-spiritual angst.
Since we as human beings are a composite of body, mind, and spirit, spiritual direction, counseling or psychotherapy really are “kissing cousins”, effective healing addresses all three aspects.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction differs a bit from psychotherapy although there are similarities. Spiritual direction is concerned with the person’s connection to Spirit and aiding the individual in defining that relationship and healing the disconnection from things Divine which often lies behind discontent with life, disease, depression and existential or psycho-spiritual angst.
Since we as human beings are a composite of body, mind, and spirit, spiritual direction, counseling or psychotherapy really are “kissing cousins”, effective healing addresses all three aspects.