Midwifery metaphor of spiritual direction...

Tomorrow myself and one other student are presenting the midwifery metaphor of spiritual direction. Here are a few of the jottings I've prepared for that presentation. This is a brief glimpse into some of what I'm up to these days:

Just as a midwife attends to the labouring mother, so too a spiritual director attends to and accompanies the directee in birthing the sacred, witnessing the inbreaking of God. The role of the midwife/director is multifaceted and may include teaching, facilitating, offering hope, carrying a lantern in darkness, holding up a mirror, staying with, offering friendship, or being a witness.

When we look at the ministry of Jesus, it too was multifaceted. Jesus attended to the needs of those he ministered to, offering an appropriate mode of care given where they were on the journey.

A Comparison of Midwifery (M) and Spiritual Direction (SD)

M: With pregnancy comes an expectation, which is inherently an unknown.
SD:There are times on the spiritual journey when we discover that we are pregnant – we may be going through a transition and anticipate an accompanying shift in our relationship with God, an unknown.

M: Throughout the pregnancy and as she nears the time of birth, the mother-to-be will most often invite someone, often a midwife, to be a companion on the journey, to participate in and witness the significant event that is expected. The presence of a midwife is not absolutely necessary, for a woman can give birth all on her own, but the midwife’s presence can be beneficial in easing pain and anxiety, and is one who can share in the joy as well.
SD:As we anticipate a significant event in our spiritual lives, we may feel compelled to invite a spiritual friend or director to be a companion on the journey, to participate in and witness what is about to take place. The presence of a spiritual director is not always necessary, but can often be beneficial.

M: The process of labour is unique to each woman and to each birth. Labour can be quick or it can span a long period of time; however, labour will always involve a struggle. The midwife is familiar with the process, usually through her own experience of giving birth, and understands struggle to be a natural part of birth. She attends to each woman’s unique needs.
SD:The wise spiritual director understands the process, accepts struggle to be a natural part of spiritual transformation, and attends to each directee’s unique needs.

M: The transition period is critical in the labour—the loss of control experienced immediately prior to the breakthrough. The midwife trusts that this seeming chaos is a natural part of the birthing process.
SD:In the spiritual journey we are often asked to let go of control and then in our “helpless” state, God breaks in in a new and unexpected way. The spiritual director can trust the process, even when the directee may struggle with the loss of control.

M: Following the birth, the new mother adjusts to life with baby. A midwife helps the mother to nurture this new life and adjust to a new reality.
SD:As with each new reality, there is a period of adjustment. The director can help the directee to reflect on the meaning of this new reality and nurture this new beginning.

M: With each new birth that the midwife attends, and certainly with each child the midwife bears herself, new insights are gained and can then be incorporated into future birth experiences.
SD:A director will continue to learn and grow with each inbreaking of God, whether in the life of the directee or in one’s own life.


And to think you were midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother's breasts! When I left the womb you cradled me; since the moment of birth you've been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10 The Message)