Conference for Spiritual Directors at Sarum College

Conference for Spiritual Directors

Voices, visions and dreams are part of the lived Christian experience. Scripture is abundant with such accounts. Mystics, saints and theologians add to this canon of mystical experience, showing us the explicit and intimate presence of God in their lives.

In the contemporary world encounter with the Divine is sometimes approached with caution. Is this person well? Are these voices real? What alternative explanations may there be for such visions and dreams? But what if God really does speak to those who might be willing to listen? What happens if we acknowledge that God is not an abstract concept, but a real presence in our everyday lives? What happens (to paraphrase Robert Marsh) if we offer Spiritual Accompaniment ‘as if God were real’?

This conference invites Spiritual Directors to explore how voices, vision and dreams ‘show up’ in Spiritual Accompaniment. We will consider our disposition to mystical experiences and how we might invite these into the conversation. With creative approaches and expert speakers including Rev Prof Chris Cook, Dr Lisa Cornwell, Dr Michael Hahn and Bruce Stanley we will explore how we can safely navigate dialogue that enables individuals to explore and make sense of their inner world and encounters with the Divine as a natural and enriching part of their Christian life.