Gentle Conversation, Deep Transformation
with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
Gentle Conversation, Deep Transformation
with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
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with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
with Spiritual Director Teresa Tillson
At times we will find ourselves in excruciating seasons of being undone. Spiritual Direction is a place to sort out and find enriched and enlivened life with God we never knew possible.
Gem Fadling
To seek intimacy with God is to go on a journey of transformation -- transformation of spirit that leads to union with God. Jesus proclaimed in his earthly ministry that “God has come near to you,” as near as your own breath and heartbeat. Spiritual Direction is the art of walking with you on the journey of realizing your unity with God.
Spiritual Direction seeks an increased recognition that we are walking on holy ground right now. 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 seeking. By becoming more attuned to the inward presence of the Holy you are likely to become more thoughtful and aware in your relationships, activities, thoughts, and emotions
~ David Benner
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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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.
710 Union Street South, Northfield, Minnesota 55057, United States
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