In this episode of SDI Encounters, we’re excited to introduce a powerful new course offering from SDI — an 8-part online series called Somatic Spiritual Companionship: Inner Awareness for Deeper Listening. You’ll hear a bit here on this offering from course facilitator, Cynthia Winton-Henry. This course invites spiritual directors, companions, and wayfarers into a deeper exploration of the body-soul connection, offering a variety of practices that can enrich and expand your approach to spiritual direction and companionship. By engaging with somatic awareness — through movement, meditation, art, and embodied presence — we open new pathways to support others and ourselves with greater depth and authenticity. Facilitated by Cynthia Winton-Henry, cofounder of InterPlay and author of The Art of Ensoulment, the series features a diverse lineup of spiritual companions who will guide us in experiential practices and share stories from their own embodied journeys. Join us for eight live, 90-minute sessions starting Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and learn how to cultivate deeper listening, resilience, and presence — from the inside out. Learn more and register at: https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/somatic-spiritual-companionship/

What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The second episode will have Christina offering spiritual companionship to Matt. In the third episode, we reflect together on what one might expect in entering a spiritual direction/companionship session, what we’ve learned in our years of doing this work, and what this practice makes possible. Whether you're curious about becoming a spiritual director, seeking one yourself, or simply drawn to deep listening and presence, this episode offers a rare, honest glimpse into the heart of spiritual companionship. Learn more about the work of spiritual direction and companionship on our website, or find a spiritual companion that you can work with today, at www.sdicompanions.org. Christina's website is thecontemplativelife.net

What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The second episode will have Christina offering spiritual companionship to Matt. In the third episode, we reflect together on what one might expect in entering a spiritual direction/companionship session, what we’ve learned in our years of doing this work, and what this practice makes possible. Whether you're curious about becoming a spiritual director, seeking one yourself, or simply drawn to deep listening and presence, this episode offers a rare, honest glimpse into the heart of spiritual companionship. Learn more about the work of spiritual direction and companionship on our website, or find a spiritual companion that you can work with today, at www.sdicompanions.org. Christina's website is thecontemplativelife.net

What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The second episode will have Christina offering spiritual companionship to Matt. In the third episode, we reflect together on what one might expect in entering a spiritual direction/companionship session, what we’ve learned in our years of doing this work, and what this practice makes possible. Whether you're curious about becoming a spiritual director, seeking one yourself, or simply drawn to deep listening and presence, this episode offers a rare, honest glimpse into the heart of spiritual companionship. Learn more about the work of spiritual direction and companionship on our website, or find a spiritual companion that you can work with today, at www.sdicompanions.org. Christina's website is thecontemplativelife.net

“If SDI has done nothing else, and it has done much…but help us to gather together in support of one another, that might have been enough.” So says SDI Co-Founder Lucy Abbott Tucker, perennial teacher, leader and contributor to the SDI community, and keynote speaker at SDI’s 35th Anniversary Conference to be held in Niagara Falls, May 29th-31st, 2025, and online. I published a short video of Lucy last week on our YouTube channel, with this being the full conversation we had. SDI has much to be proud of over its 35-year history, and we look forward to celebrating all those achievements with you, even as we continue to explore areas where we need to keep striving and learning together. And that’s the key, as Lucy tells us: all of us who practice, are dedicated to, or interested in, spiritual direction and companionship can rely on one another for support, discernment, and encouragement So, please join us for our annual gathering, whether in person, or online. And if cost is a concern, you can apply for a scholarship.

In this 20 minute conversation, SDI Executive Director Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares and Creative Director Matt Whitney discuss how in challenging times, we can learn how to use these challenges as gateways to deeper awareness, understanding, and spiritual growth. Our work as spiritual directors and companions involves helping others through their own challenges, as well as tending to our own. We believe we can do more than just survive difficult times, we can thrive. Rev. SeiFu's full written reflection is available in Listen - Reflections on Spiritual Direction and Companionship. It is freely available to all and can be accessed on the SDI website: https://www.sdicompanions.org/media/listen/listen-19-1-january-2025/ Listen is a free outreach publication from SDI that assists spiritual travelers in the search for everyday encounters with the Sacred. It is published in January, May, and September. This simple and inviting publication includes short articles, poetry, and global resource announcements. It is read around the world by more than fifteen-thousand seekers, subscribers, and members of SDI. Become a supporting member of SDI today. Learn more at https://www.sdicompanions.org/become-a-member/

The latest book from SDI Press is now available for pre-order, shipping in November 2024! Ordinary Heaven | Exploring Spiritual Direction and the Journey of Human Life, by Philip Carter, is a quite extraordinary work that lovingly renders a lifetime of spiritual experience and reflection, honoring this very life and the sacred ministry of spiritual direction. In this episode, we interview Philip about the inspiration and themes of the book, and what readers can expect. Purchase your copy today at https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/ordinary-heaven/ Reading Ordinary Heaven is akin to receiving spiritual direction from a wise and compassionate companion. Philip Carter offers readers of all backgrounds the space to embrace the divine woven into the fabric of our ordinary lives. For anyone seeking to deepen their calling and connection to the world and each other, discover this profound and healing experience, one that speaks universally to the sacredness of our shared humanity. --- Philip Carter is a retired Anglican priest. Ordained in 1973, he served in several parishes and in 1988 was appointed by the Archbishop of Adelaide as Diocesan Advisor in Spirituality, based at the Retreat House, Belair. In 1997, he established the ecumenical and independent spirituality ministry, the Julian Centre in Mile End, near the CBD of Adelaide. Through the centre, he offered spiritual direction, retreats and quiet days of reflection, as well as programs for the formation of spiritual directors. In 1989, he was a founding member and an early President of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction (ANSD) and from 2007-2009 he served as the inaugural President of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction (AECSD). He is married to Helen, with whom he has three adult daughters. Purchase your copy today at https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/ordinary-heaven/

There are many attempts at categorizing those walking a path of spiritual freedom. We see, and use, broad terms such as ‘Spiritual Independents’, ‘Spiritual but not religious’, or ‘The Nones’. These categories, as any, are ultimately limited. As spiritual directors and companions, we know each person’s spiritual story is unique, regardless of spiritual tradition and orientation. So all that said, how do we companion the spiritual explorer – the wayfarer who has left the religion of their upbringing, practices more than one religion, or does not see themselves as rooted in a particular religious tradition or spiritual orientation? How do we nurture the increased spiritual curiosity and playfulness our companions bring to their sessions with us? How do we help others navigate the rejection of an upbringing, or subjection to a religion and spirituality they found stunted or even harmful? What if that tradition they’ve left behind is one we cherish? These questions are the underpinnings of our new online series from SDI – Seeking Spiritual Freedom – about companioning those who have entered the spiritual wilderness, and earnestly tread a “wayless path” that is beyond what they know, and possibly what others have known. However one’s unique journey manifests, the diversity of the paths walked by those we companion will only continue to grow.  In this podcast I talked with all our presenters for this series, about their work and service to others, how they understand the path of spiritual freedom, and what to expect from our upcoming series – which you can register for now on our website, sdicompanions.org. I’ll introduce each of them as we go.  

SDI has launched registration for a new webinar for all spiritual directors and companions, it’s called Disease and Dis-Ease on the Spiritual Path, a series on being a wise companion to yourself and others when the fragility of human life is most evident: in times of illness. Our guide for this series is Kō Sam Tullman, founder of DiabetesSangha and Head of Behavioral Science at Quilt Technologies. With deep roots in Rinzai Zen Buddhism and a broad background in religious traditions, neuroscience, and modern Western psychology, Sam brings a unique perspective to this journey. His work blends brain, behavior, and technology to empower people to make healthy, life-affirming choices. Sam’s expertise in understanding the body’s physiological and psychological states will offer profound insights into how we can transform dis-ease into a path of healing and self-discovery. In this episode Kō Sam shares a bit on what to expect during this webinar series. Each session of this series will offer grounding practices, insightful discussions, and contemplative exercises, helping you deepen your understanding of the body-mind-spirit connection. We will cover the spiritual and neurobiological process of tending to those things which ail us, that they may teach us. Whether for personal growth or supporting others, this series provides valuable tools to navigate the spiritual journey through dis-ease. Transform challenges into opportunities for learning and compassion. Learn more and register here - all are welcome: https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/dis-ease-on-the-spiritual-path/

We're experimenting with a video version of our podcast on spiritual direction and companionship! In this first video conversation, we chat with Larry J Morris III about the broader themes of our upcoming webinar series, Beyond Binaries: Spiritual Companionship Through Queer Lenses.  To watch the video of this conversation, head over to YouTube: https://youtu.be/vfoR4UXW5wU To learn more about our series, and sign up to join us, click here: https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/beyond-binaries-spiritual-companionship-through-queer-lenses/ In this series we will experience stories of spiritual companionship, presented by a diverse group of queer Mystics, who approach their work as spiritual companions through diverse and open-hearted containers. All spiritual directors, companions, and wayfarers are encouraged to participate, walking any straight, queer, or otherwise crooked path to Wholeness. This engaging new SDI series, open to all people and all identities, invites us to explore our lives, our work as spiritual companions, and our very souls, through the prism of queer perspectives. Indeed we can understand Queerness as a wisdom path – one which, along with our other spiritual traditions and orientations, offers deep wisdom, profound insight, and spiritual liberation. And in true openness and interspiritual dialogue, all of us, queer or straight,  can glean insight from the spiritual jewels of the mystical path of queerness. If that statement invites excitement and possibility, this webinar is for you. If it invites discomfort, this webinar is also for you. Learn more and register – everyone is welcome – at sdicompanions.org. https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/beyond-binaries-spiritual-companionship-through-queer-lenses/

In this week’s episode, SDI’s Creative Director Matt Whitney speaks with Sean Murphy on his upcoming webinar series on Meditation and Mindfulness. To learn more and register, please visit https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/zen-meditation-and-mindfulness-for-spiritual-directors-and-companions/ Sean Tetsudo Murphy, Sensei, is a fully authorized Zen teacher in the American White Plum lineage, as well an award-winning author and recipient of a 2018 National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship in Creative Writing. He served six years as a member of the SDI board, and has taught on a number of occasions for SDI programs. He is highly experienced in sharing traditional meditative techniques in interfaith and secular settings for practitioners of all backgrounds. The author of One Bird, One Stone:108 Contemporary Zen Stories as well as three novels with Bantam Dell books, he is founder and director of The Sage Institute of Taos, NM, which hosts an innovative ecumenical Meditation and Mindfulness Leader Training Program. He also teaches meditation, creative writing, and literature for the University of New Mexico-Taos and many other venues. His websites are www.sagetaos.org and www.murphyzen.com

This week, through June 24, we are running our Solstice Celebration, which offers 20 percent savings on most everything SDI offers, including memberships. In this conversation with Executive Director Rev. SeiFu, we discuss why we do these celebrations, and how we hope folks benefit. An SDI membership is a particularly valuable and critical way to develop, connect, and expand the practice of spiritual companionship and the vibrant and deeply meaningful community we share. Whether a seasoned veteran or a newly budding spiritual director, we all benefit greatly from the exchange and conversation that occurs on a community-wide level. If you haven’t already, consider taking advantage of 20% off a new or renewed SDI membership through Monday June 24th! Discounts this extensive are only available twice per year and include new webinars, journeys and pilgrimages, retreats, special bundled packages, books and publications, advertising, and, as we mentioned, even memberships!    

This is Part Three of our preview for our next 10-session course, New Perspectives on the Enneagram for Troubled Times, featuring Chelsea Forbrook and Rev. Nhien Vuong.  Those familiar with the Enneagram know what a powerful tool for self-discovery and insight it can be. With that in mind we are pleased to announce our latest 10 session course offering from SDI – New Perspectives on the Enneagram for Spiritual Directors and Companions. This unique online course offering from SDI offers spiritual directors and companions the opportunity to connect with peers who are on the leading edge of the Enneagram field.  This course will give seasoned Enneagram explorers the opportunity to take a deep dive and develop new perspectives about the use of this medium in spiritual direction and companionship, while honing new skills and approaches to their practice and calling. We recently hosted a preview of this series, inviting many of our Presenters for this course to share their perspectives – what’s new, what’s stirring for them, how does exploration of the Enneagram take them beyond archetpyes and personality types – and into deeper reality and identity? To learn more about the presenters, the course, and to register, go to sdicompanions.org. You do not need to be a spiritual director, or an SDI Member to attend (though members receive large discounts on the registration price). --- Chelsea Forbrook is the author of “Blessing My Demons: How to Name, Tame & Transform Your Inner Critic,” available in stores and on Amazon October 2023. Chelsea was awarded a scholarship from Spiritual Directors International (SDI) to be a part of the New Contemplatives cohort in 2018 (a selected group of outstanding spiritual directors under age 40), and is a current member of SDI. Chelsea Forbrook is the President of Enneagram Minnesota, and is a Spiritual Director and Enneagram educator based in Minneapolis, MN. She takes great delight in making spiritual principles and practices easy and accessible for all. Chelsea is certified through Full Circle Enneagram, The Enneagram Institute, Russ Hudson’s year long Depth Certification in Conscious Living, The Somatic Enneagram, and is an accredited professional through the International Enneagram Association (IEA). She teaches a five month experiential Enneagram course for personal transformation, is the creator of the Enneaplaque (a meditation tool for awakening), and hosts a podcast called “The Enneagram of Essence.” Before Chelsea discovered the Enneagram, she was immersed in anti-racism facilitation work through ASDIC (Anti Racism Study Dialogue Circles), the YWCA, and People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Chelsea holds a degree in religious studies with an emphasis on Liberation Theology, and a certificate in Leadership Toward Racial Justice from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Learn more about Chelsea at www.chelseaforbrook.com Reverend Nhien Vuong, J.D., M.Div., (she/her/hers) is an international Enneagram thought leader, keynote presenter, and retreat facilitator who spiritually companions individuals around the globe using a compassion-based, contemplative approach to the Enneagram. A former Stanford-trained attorney, Nhien left the law to support the evolution of consciousness. An ordained Unity minister, Nhien has been studying the Enneagram since 2002 and teaching it since 2006. She is a Certified Enneagram Teacher, Accredited Enneagram Professional, and the Founder of Evolving Enneagram, a community-based business whose interdisciplinary team of Enneagram professionals offers interspiritual programming to seed and sustain our collective awakening. A Vietnamese refugee living in the United States, Nhien is passionate about a world in which everyone belongs. She regularly offers scholarships for her programs and volunteers to teach the Enneagram to recovery groups, non-profits, and the incarcerated. Nhien is the upcoming author of Enneagram of Soul, a 40-day

This is Part Two of our preview for our next 10-session course, New Perspectives on the Enneagram for Troubled Times, featuring Allen Proctor, Erlina Edwards, and Ben Campbell.  Those familiar with the Enneagram know what a powerful tool for self-discovery and insight it can be. With that in mind we are pleased to announce our latest 10 session course offering from SDI – New Perspectives on the Enneagram for Spiritual Directors and Companions. This unique online course offering from SDI offers spiritual directors and companions the opportunity to connect with peers who are on the leading edge of the Enneagram field.  This course will give seasoned Enneagram explorers the opportunity to take a deep dive and develop new perspectives about the use of this medium in spiritual direction and companionship, while honing new skills and approaches to their practice and calling. We recently hosted a preview of this series, inviting many of our Presenters for this course to share their perspectives – what’s new, what’s stirring for them, how does exploration of the Enneagram take them beyond archetpyes and personality types – and into deeper reality and identity? To learn more about the presenters, the course, and to register, go to sdicompanions.org. You do not need to be a spiritual director, or an SDI Member to attend (though members receive large discounts on the registration price). --- Allen Proctor is Director of the Haden Institute, spiritual director and Presbyterian Minister. Allen works with others to explore questions of identity, relationships, vocation and meaning, using Dream Work, the Enneagram, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, meditation practices and creation spirituality. Erlina Edwards, passioned by her business interests and spiritual pursuits, is known to many as an Organizational Builder and Enneagram Practitioner. Driven by her commitment to Human Potential Development, she successfully built sustainable organizations to advance emotional intelligence and overall psychological wellness. Erlina Edwards initially earned her Enneagram certification through The Enneagram School of Narrative Tradition and is professionally certified through the IEA. Erlina is an International Interfaith Seminary graduate, an accredited Spiritual Director, and a certified IDEA Consultant (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racist). Erlina also holds accredited academic certifications that have advanced and broadened her business and spiritual studies. She is the Co-Executive Director of The Narrative Enneagram School and runs a private spiritual consulting practice; she lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, Gene. Ben Campbell is a Riso-Hudson Certified Enneagram teacher living in Bath, Maine. In addition to his own programs and coaching, he was selected as a Coach/Facilitator for the Shift Network’s Enneagram Certification Program in Conscious Living (2021-2022) with Russ Hudson and Jessica Dibb. He also presented two talks at the 2023 Global Enneagram Conference in San Francisco: “An Introduction to the Enneagram & Inner Work,” and “Rewilding the Enneagram.” He has appeared on the podcasts “No Small Thing”, “The Enneagram of Essence,” “The Lonely Edges,” and “The Blindspot,” and he taught the Minnesota IEA’s March 2021 Workshop “Passions and Purposes.” He holds a degree in East Asian Studies from Bates College. He is an apprentice at the Maine Primitive Skills School and a long-time student of the Animas Valley Institute. Ben is also President and founder of Enneagram Northeast USA, an official chapter of the International Enneagram Association.

Those familiar with the Enneagram know what a powerful tool for self-discovery and insight it can be. With that in mind we are pleased to announce our latest 10 session course offering from SDI – New Perspectives on the Enneagram for Spiritual Directors and Companions. This unique online course offering from SDI offers spiritual directors and companions the opportunity to connect with peers who are on the leading edge of the Enneagram field.  This course will give seasoned Enneagram explorers the opportunity to take a deep dive and develop new perspectives about the use of this medium in spiritual direction and companionship, while honing new skills and approaches to their practice and calling. We recently hosted a preview of this series, inviting many of our Presenters for this course to share their perspectives – what’s new, what’s stirring for them, how does exploration of the Enneagram take them beyond archetpyes and personality types – and into deeper reality and identity? In this episode, we are sharing the first two presenters from this free session, who also will be part of our upcoming course, Sandra Smith and Dina ElBadry. To learn more about the presenters, the course, and to register, go to sdicompanions.org. You do not need to be a spiritual director, or an SDI Member to attend (though members receive large discounts on the registration price). In the next episode of this podcast we’ll have Part Two of this session, featuring Allen Proctor, Erlina Edwards, and Ben Campbell, then we’ll release Part Three with Chelsea Forbrook, Rev. Nhien Vuong, and a brief Q&A. --- With over 23 years of teaching experience, author Sandra Smith weaves her background in business and non-profits with her theological education to offer a practical and compassionate exploration of the Enneagram’s nine types. An accredited International Enneagram Association Professional and certified in the Narrative Enneagram Tradition, Sandra teaches internationally, inviting curiosity and compassion to guide the inward turn in exploring the foundational question, “Who Am I?” Sandra has presented at numerous International Enneagram Association Conferences in the USA as well as Canada, and been a speaker at several SDI (Spiritual Directors International) conferences, speaking to the role of the Enneagram in Spiritual Companioning. Her forthcoming book The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type will be released by Hampton Roads Publishing in September 1, 2024. Dina ElBadry is an IEA accredited professional and Founder & Head Teacher at The Enneagram Academy, Egypt. She works with Chestnut Pães Academy As Head Mentor Worldwide & Staff member in Africa and Europe. Dina studied the Gurdjieff work and she teaches the CP levels of awareness model that’s based on both Gurdjieff & Sufi Work.

In this week's episode, Rev. SeiFu speaks with Matt Whitney on SDI's 2024 online conference. Our conference theme this year is “Navigating the Global Dark Night of the Soul of Spiritual Directors and Companions.” We will create an opening and a field for spiritual directors and companions to listen, and speak, into the hardships, struggles, and opportunities we have encountered over the last few difficult years.  Unfortunately, the world’s circumstances don’t seem to be improving, but rather, progressively worsening in many ways.  So we will need particularly effective tools to address empathy fatigue, burnout, and the very same afflictions that can ail all of us at any time: isolation, loneliness, despair, and loss of meaning and purpose. JOIN US MAY 8-10, 2024! Let us come together to listen and share insights, fostering a supportive community to navigate these complex times.  Register now at sdicompanions.org 

In this chat with Executive Director Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares, we explore some nuts-and-bolts questions about spiritual companionship. What is spiritual companionship? How does it work? Who is it for? Why would someone need spiritual companionship? How does it differ from working with a mental health professional? What is considered "on the table" or "off the table" in a spiritual companionship conversation? Should we pay money for spiritual companionship? This conversation is for anyone who is curious about working with a spiritual companion, and how it can help you on your spiritual journey. 

SDI Communities are SDI-sponsored, often locally-run groups of spiritual companions. These people gather either regionally, or based on a shared commonality, on a regular basis to connect, support one another, network, share contemplative time and practice new skills in spiritual care. An SDI Community can operate anywhere in the world. Let us know if you’d be interested in joining an SDI Community and we will connect you. You can email us at communities@sdiworld.org Ravi Verma, previously on the SDI Board as a Member and as Chair, now is helping us host several Special Interest or “Affinity” Groups. In this conversation with our Executive Director Reverend SeiFu, Ravi talks about how these groups are going, where they are going in the future, and how they relate and integrate into the larger vision for the SDI Community in general.    

We are pleased to offer this recent conversation with Jennifer "Jinks" Hoffmann, author of The Light of God's Shadow - Musings, Stories, and Poems on Waking Up, from SDI Press Books. We discuss poetry and creativity, death, finding God in all things - in other words, just an "ordinary" conversation from the Home of Spiritual Companionship :) --- In The Light of God's Shadow, Jinks reminds us through earthy, vulnerable and humorous musings, stories, and poetry that waking up is a lifetime endeavor. Psychotherapist and spiritual director Jinks Hoffmann encourages us to listen for the divine daily call to wholeness—in our relationships and work, our joys and dreams, our messes and triumphs, our losses and grief. We accompany Jinks on her journey through radiant and dark shadow, and we learn with her from the wisdom of her teachers. We grow in understanding— and in our bodies, hearts and souls—that when we welcome our vulnerability and strength, we heighten our humanity and heal our souls. By becoming kinder and more compassionate with ourselves and with one another we keep waking up and we bring healing to the world. Click here to order your copy today. On sale, along with our webinars, courses, and other books, through December 18th 2023.

In March 2023 during our Forest Bathing Retreat in North Carolina, I (Matt Whitney) made some recordings of our time together - sounds of the forest, some testimonials and poetry by participants, and a bit of audio from our facilitators Jeanette Banashak and Simon De Voil. With our next retreat upcoming in March 2024, I finally got around to organizing some of this audio in a reflection, which begins around the 10 minute marker. Prior to that, I explain a bit about what to expect on the Retreat. https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/forest-bathing-2024/ Come join us! SDI returns to the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina from March 3 - 9, 2024. We invite you to spend a week forest bathing, immersing in nature, breathing the clean forest air, finding silence and stillness, and experience deep listening on new levels. If you missed our first Retreat, here is your opportunity to join us for this truly restful and transformative experience. If you previously attended, we are excited to again bring this offering to you. All are welcome! https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/forest-bathing-2024/