Individual Spiritual Companioning for Students (Online and In-person)

Spiritual Companioning, also known as Spiritual Direction, is a process of deepening a person's spirituality. Spirituality is the term used to describe every person's response to and relationship with the Sacred as the Sacred (God, The Divine, Reality, etc) is experienced in one's life. The focus of spirituality can be as intimate as emotions and interpersonal relationships and as wide and diverse as the cosmos.

How does this process work?

In Spiritual Companioning a trained "guide" or "mentor" helps spiritual “seeker” to notice, name, reflect on, and respond to her or his experience of the Sacred in everyday life as well as in extraordinary moments of joy, loss or trauma.

Do you have to be of a particular faith to engage in Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Companionship is an ancient spiritual practice having roots in most religious traditions. As such, it serves and embraces peoples of all faiths and walks of life. The Spiritual Life Center welcomes everyone to nurture their spirit through this program..

What is a Spiritual Companioning session like?

Appointments are made, usually once per month, at a time conveneint to the seeker.  In a typical spiritual companionship meeting the seeker brings the stories of his or her journey and/or any life experiences to reflect on. The spiritual companionship relationship is built on trust and is confidential. The companion does not tell the seeker what to do but rather listens to the seeker’s story and helps them to reflect on the movements of the Spirit in their life. Note that spiritual companioning is not psychotherapy. The goal of this relationship is for the seeker to gain greater consciousness of and participation with the Sacred in the ordinary events of life.  As a result, they grow in compassion, freedom, and service. 

Spiritual companionship assists in:

• Growth in self-knowledge
• An increasing practice of compassion, mercy and justice
• Greater engagement with the inner and outer world
• Discernment in decision-making and experiences of call
• A deepening experience and awareness of the Sacred
• Living and responding in ways that are healing for all creation

What Does It Cost?

The Spiritual Life enter and Hartford International University are engaged in a collaborative partnership that serves the spiritual needs of studetns.  Accordingly, this service is provided free of charge to current students of HIU or its Consortium Partners.  For others, the suggested offering is on a sliding scale between $35 and $100 per session, but no one will be turned away for financial reasons.  Give what you can afford--all offerings are gratefully received.

For more information about companioning and how to get started, contact Oscar Brockmeyer at [email protected] 

To meet with a staffmember or to register, please click here and answer a few questions