Gentle Conversation, Deep Transformation
with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
Gentle Conversation, Deep Transformation
with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
Join me for Contemplative Prayer
Weekly Prayer Group: Sacred Reading
Dear Friends,
You are invited to attend a zoom prayer series for Advent 2024 – 4 Monday evenings at 8 pm Central Time for ½ hour of sacred reading (Lectio Divina) beginning Monday December 2 and ending Monday December 23. We’ll read and meditate together on some of the great Advent scriptures from Isaiah and Luke. RSVP to Teresa Tillson at Teresa.m.tillson@gmail.com to receive a zoom link.
If you can only make a few, don’t worry about it. Bring anyone else you think would be interested. Thank you, and look forward to seeing some of you there.
Teresa
What Is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction seeks an increased recognition that we are walking on holy ground. The spiritual director listens with the ear of the heart. Together we welcome and listen for the presence of the Holy One, who is the true spiritual director. As David Brenner has said, “[Spiritual Directors] help others attend to God’s presence and revelation and prepare to respond to him.” Spiritual Direction seeks to draw forth the Holy that is within you, rather than impose something from the outside. Spiritual Direction is for the spiritually curious, restless, or those seeking spiritual guidance. By becoming more attuned to the inward presence of the Holy it is you are likey to become more thoughtful and aware in your relationships, activities, thoughts, and emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out to Teresa at Teresa.M.Tillson@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
My practice is rooted in Christianity, so if one is not at least curious about Christianity, we are probably not a match, and I’ll be happy to help you find a more compatible spiritual director. Still, as Meister Eckhart, the great medieval German mystic said, “Theologians may quarrel, but the mystics of the world speak the same language.” If you identify as a mystic in your chosen practice its likely we have a great deal in common.
It is my experience spirituality is like being a musician in that the great ones generally root themselves in a primary genre – classical, jazz, rap, rock, bluegrass, etc. In spirituality it generally pays to root oneself in a primary practice such as Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, charismatic, evangelical, it doesn’t matter). Just practice diligently, in community with others, in the deep wisdom of your chosen tradition.
I’ve sat with the local Buddhist chapter regularly, though I do not consider myself an expert in Buddhism by any means. I enjoy Buddhism’s emphasis on the practice of the faith, and find much wisdom in Buddhist writings.
The term agnostic comes from the Greek “without knowledge”, which I find to be a particularly fruitful stance from which to approach spiritual life. From a place of “not knowing” about God one is free to experiment, wonder, and try new ideas. I would be delighted with work with agnostics who are curious about contemplative practice.
Similar to coaching, therapy or counseling- in which you talk one on one with a counselor, sessions are rooted in conversation. I ask gentle questions about your spiritual life, or about how your daily life interfaces with your spirituality (not necessarily religion).
I charge $80 per session. As part of my commitment to the spiritual practice, I have limited scholarship spots available; please do tell me if you're in need of financial assistance.
First of all, let’s be clear… I’m not a Bible scholar. I haven’t even been to seminary, and I feel the lack. I can only say that I love the stories in the Bible as they tell of God’s character, love, and expansive mercy towards us and all creation. Here are some principals I use in my approach towards the Bible, and I hope they help.
The Bible is more like a library than a book, and a library that was assembled 2000 years ago at that. It covers a huge range of literature from poetry to legal documents, history, visions, prophesy and letters. Each book of the Bible was written with vastly different purposes and to different audiences. Of course it’s not a unified document, nor is it always consistent.
Read more on my thoughts about the Bible in my Blog or my Substack
Oh heavens, I don’t know! You’ll have to ask Jesus. I’m a struggling Christian, just like everyone else.
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Contact Teresa
See Teresa in person
Teresa sees spiritual direction clients at the Episcopal church in her home town of Northfield, MN and on Zoom. Teresa's presence at the Episcopal church is not an endorsement by the church.
Tree of Life Spiritual Direction
710 Union Street South, Northfield, Minnesota 55057, United States
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