Spiritual Reflection

I noticed in the Fall term my directees did not fully understand what spiritual direction session was about. Hence in the Winter term, I provided them with the article "Spiritual Direction - A Brief Introduction" written by Dahlia Fraser. Fraser mentions in it what spiritual direction is, the process, the history and the goal of spiritual direction. I note for those directees with major in counselling they will find it helpful as Fraser provides a brief explanation that spiritual direction is not counselling.

I have acquired a lot from this book in regards to integrating psychology and spirituality into my counseling sessions. McMinn uses a great approach to prayer. His examples were fascinating to read; he made his readers recognize how to handle different situations correctly, and he also gives us supporting evidence for these models with documents, scripture, and other intellectual evidence. McMinn believes that we cannot have a knowledgeable understanding of proper healing without God. Counselors should often demonstrate their spirituality in the counseling setting; this will be one of the key factors in how well the counselor can be merger psychotherapy and

Two challenges faced by counselors include training in spiritual formation, something that comes solely through deepening their own relationship with God, and establishing boundaries between their personal and professional life while still drawing upon personal experience in the counseling sessions. A third challenge presents

I am writing this reflective journal in accordance with the CNO`s reflective practice standards and the LEARN model. Though my time on 600A has only just begun I have learned so much. Like many second year students, this is my first experience in the hospital. It has proven to be much different than my previous clinical experiences. My time with my first client stands out in my mind as a key learning experience.

Under his ten reasons, I note the common questions usually raised in a spiritual direction session: "Where is God in this situation for you?" "How is God in this for you?" "Where is God in all of this?" "How might God be calling you to respond in this situation?" "Who is God in your life?" "Where is God hiding?" "Who is God?" "What is God calling you to do?" I have asked some of these questions in the sessions but not all of them. These are some good questions to evoke the story of the directees and allow them to deepen their awareness of God's presence. I will have to learn to use these questions in my sessions at appropriate times. I agree with his comment that "As you become more aware of the Divine in your life, there is a good chance that your ideas about the nature of God and God's relationship to the universe and you will change." I believe this personal change will result in a closer relationship with God and deepen one's life in

In effect, Mark McMinn has utilized theology, spirituality and psychology to help individuals in enhancing diverse concepts of their lives. Notably, the author articulates clearly that the counselor should be strong particularly in their personal spirituality. Hence, this is important because it is the only way to assist their clients appropriately in the counseling process. The author also expounds on various precautions, which counselors must take, as well as the limitations. Subsequently, it can be challenging to incorporate the counselor’s spirituality especially in their counseling sessions since many of them are not confident since they lack adequate knowledge about the Bible. Thus, this will result to

Reflective practice is an important and personal attribute needed by teachers in order for them to improve their teaching practice and develop. Furthermore, authors have considered what reflective practice means for a teacher, Robins et al (2003) suggests that reflective practice is a useful tool for teachers to learn about their own values and attributes. It also provides them with greater knowledge of the diverse needs in their classroom. This tool is suitable to use when planning lessons, as reflections should show what works for different children and how you could possibly adapt your strategies so that every child is supported in the best way possible. Reflective practice provides professionalism and empowering skills to professionals,

Some studies, demonstration promoting prayer out loud with clients in their sessions, to enhance the client’s spiritual health and giving a clear perception (McMinn, 2011). When the counselor uses prayer it acts as a way to nurture spirituality, but the counselor needs to be dedicated to the self-controls of the ways of prayer (McMinn, 2011). Scripture use in counseling session has shown to help church based groups to combat codependency, using it in marriage counseling to help from sexual affairs, using Bible stories to help children, and use Scripture reminiscence and reflection in cognitive therapy (McMinn, 2011). Scripture is a very powerful tool to use in the clients healing processes, but the counselor needs to identify how to use it with the client and how affective it will be (McMinn, 2011). The texts give a Christian counselor and the individual a psychological and spirituality of how to use prayer and Scripture to help people with issues they are

I can see the need to identify spiritual affiliations, conflicts, and events which has shaped or molded us into the person we are today. Doing a spiritual genogram helps develop spiritual self-awareness, which can help us connect with our own client’s spirituality for healing and growth. I have personal felt that I have been going down the wrong path and the Lord has redirected my path in the last ten years. I truly believe that God cause all things to work out for the good no matter how bad we mess it up. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Romans 8:28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. I think if we link spiritual events together that have happened in our life we can clearly see where God is leading

I am taking your advice and picking up the book Spiritual Formation: A Wesleyan Paradigm to use in my daily devotions. Our conversation about the importance of focusing on spiritual formation, due to the demands of officership, provided valuable insight into my need of intentionality in this area of my life. Thank you for making me aware of the need to maintain

Happy endings do not have to involve the proverbial princess being saved by a knight in shining armor who has to slay 3 dragons, 2 demigods, World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, etc., but rather can be described with a spiritual reassessment, or a character coming to terms with their frayed, or untied ends. The spiritual reassessment in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is the timely death of Heathcliff, as this inevitable event connects with the book's message of the unwritten mantra ‘good things come to those who wait,’ even if the waiting room is situated on the seventh plane of mega-hell. The spiritual reassessment described by British novelist Fay Weldon (relation to prolific substitute teacher Mr. Weldon?) is identified during Heathcliff’s

siblings to jobs, disinterest, and behavioral issues. And academic success and, in some states, funding depend heavily on students being in class (Zalaznick, 2015). Thomas missed school to be around other peers and to get involved in dangerous activities. School districts depend on students being in class to get funding. When students are not in school it hurts them but also affects the school district financial resources.

I’d like to state the most obvious observation that I’ve made about spiritual formation; that is that I will always need to be seeking for ways to nurture my personal spirituality throughout my life. I know that to most people this may sound like a “duh” statement, but for me it has truly become a reality and one that I must admit I have been struggling to embrace. I was brought up in a church that, like most traditional churches, stayed happy living in the “comfort zone” of their Christianity. They took everything that the Bible said at face value without digging in to find out why they believed what they believed. I had never been challenged to look deeper into the text. In the past few years I have felt the need to tunnel out of this

Another aspect of commination discussed in the material was regarding “questions”. I am using these in my counseling and coaching practice. Like cited in the lesson (the quote by Peter Drucker), it’s important to know our mission, customers and what they value) and our plan for results. I regularly communicate with clients about their specific plan and help them communicate it with those important in their lives.

As pointed out before, RP is a trending topic nowadays but also confusing. The ambiguity and the overlapping use of terms complicate the understanding (hebert, tsingos 2014). Boud 1985 p.8 points out that it is not a single facet term but a generic/umbrella one that involves a range of ideas and activities.