Description: A journey conversation creates an occasion to explore life’s big questions in the company of others: What is sacred in my life? What’s my purpose? What difference can I make?
Get Ready
- Prep Time: This program requires someone who has been trained in spiritual direction/group spiritual direction. You should begin your planning by locating this person. (Tip: Most diocesan offices of religious education and/or seminary or lay ministry programs will have lists of spiritual directors in the area.) Once you have secured a spiritual director, work together to determine if you will do a single day or half-day retreat, or a series of 90-minute sessions. Once you have determined your model, each session should only take about 30 minutes to one hour to prepare.
- Volunteers Needed: No additional volunteers are required.
- Reserve the Space: Assemble chairs in a circle. In the center of the circle, the facilitator sets up a focal point, e.g. a glass bowl filled with water, a candle, or other symbols that are meaningful to the group. The space needs to be quiet and uncluttered, inviting participants to enter into stillness and centering. If possible, the room should be large enough to accommodate breakout groups (e.g., during a half-day or full-day retreat, the larger group breaks into smaller groups of four-five). If it isn’t, three-four additional quiet spaces should be reserved for breakout groups.
- Supplies: Large glass bowl, rocks or cloth to surround the bowl, candle(s), small table to place the bowl upon, a chime or gong for the facilitator to ring.
- Ideal Group Size: Six-12 participants
- Who is this for? Young adults and adults of all faith backgrounds
- When is a good time for this? Weekends or weeknights. A minimum of 90 minutes is recommended for each gathering.
- Publicize the Program: Personal invitation is a great way to gather people into these conversations.
Prayer for Program Planner: Prayer for Spiritual Companions: Believing in the transformative Mystery of Love, we pray for God’s will to be done in you and for your constant deepening in God. During this time that we are together, we give ourselves, our attention, our hopes and our hearts to God for you. We surrender ourselves to God for your sake. — Adapted from a prayer by Gerald May
Community Building: The journey conversation process introduces participants to contemplative practices and communication skills that help them listen deeply, speak from their heart, and respond compassionately. Participants are invited to embark on a journey of mutual discovery as they share their stories and encourage one another to notice and name what is holy in the midst of the struggles, contradictions, and ambiguities of their lives. Sharing fundamental life stories helps participants see both the commonality in the midst of our diversity and the distinctive features of our common experiences. Deeply listening to another’s accounts of faith and doubt, belief and skepticism, love and fear often inspires participants to give voice to their own. Mutual sharing and reflection on our life journeys has the potential to increase awareness of the presence of the sacred in our own and others’ lives, increase empathy and awareness of “others,” and build compassionate communities even with those with whom we have substantial disagreement.
