Whole Person Counseling and Therapy

Exploring with spiritual direction

There is a Mystery within which we live and move and have our being. Different spiritual traditions give that Mystery different names. Whichever the name, it points to a living experience beyond words and doctrine.

Spiritual direction encourages you to explore and to know personally True Nature / Living Being / God. The dualism of the West's Christian tradition would suggest that it is sufficient to simply believe in a doctrine which you can only possibly confirm at death. However the East's numerous contemplative traditions (and Christian mystics) affirm that it is possible here, now, in this life, to know personally the living Reality underlying the world's religious doctrines.

Ideally, spiritual traditions exist not to gather believers of this or that doctrine, but rather to foster knowers of True Nature. Spiritual direction can guide you to discover for yourself the living Mystery for which words are only inadequate metaphors.

Persons Come to Spiritual Direction for Many Reasons Including:

• Deepening your experience of True Nature / Being / God
• Learning spiritual practices such as meditation and presence
• Exploring spirituality and spiritual options
• Deepening your understanding of spirituality
• Integrating your spirituality and practice into your daily life
• Discerning and making difficult choices
• Sharing your hopes, struggles, and losses
• Surviving a crisis of faith

Michael's Background as a Spiritual Director

Michael has more than 40 years of experience with diverse spiritual practices including Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, esoteric, Taoist, Sufi, Advaita, non-dualism, and contemporary teachers. He considers the teachings of these diverse traditions to be sourced in truth, but only verbal metaphors which point to a wordless experience of True Nature. The doctrines are like fingers pointing to the moon; they are not the moon.

As a spiritual director, Michael is uninterested in your becoming a believer or follower of any doctrine or any person. With guidance and the teaching of various practices, his intention is to direct you to your own personal experience of that Reality.

Consider a Free Consultation

Spiritual direction is a transformative relationship shared by two persons. So, I believe that it is important that you take the time to check out the person with whom you might work. Is the chemistry between the two of you right for you? Does the counselor’s background, abilities, and experience meet your needs? Would a referral be appropriate? Because it is important that you explore such questions before beginning work, I offer prospective clients the opportunity to meet with me for a free 50-minute consultation.

How Do I Arrange a Complimentary Consultation?

The easiest way to arrange a consultation or an appointment is to use the "Online Appointment Booking" link at the top of the page. There you can book a consultation (or any appointment) at a day and time of your convenience for my Portland office. Of course this can be done by phone (503.226.2771) or email, but my busy practice may result in my not replying to you in a timely manner.

Keep Informed of Michael's Classes and Workshops

Periodically Michael offers both classes and workshops which address spiritual practices and the issues which sometimes interefere with deeper spiritual realization. If you are interested in subscribing to email notifications of Michael's classes, click here: Subscribe to Michael's Notificatons of Classes and Workshops .

 

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