What if the struggle in your spiritual life isn't a sign of failure, but proof that your relationship with God matters deeply? In this intimate conversation, spiritual director Mary Glowaski reveals how spiritual direction creates sacred space for encountering God's love in unexpected ways, especially in our deepest struggles and shame.

Mary shares her unexpected call to spiritual direction, the profound difference between counseling and spiritual companionship, and why being harsh with ourselves blocks us from experiencing God's unconditional love. If you've ever wondered what spiritual direction actually is, how to find a director, or whether it's right for you, this episode offers compassionate wisdom from someone who has walked with countless souls through their most sacred stories.

Discover why spiritual direction isn't about getting answers; it's about learning to see yourself and others through God's eyes of infinite compassion.

[00:00] Introduction and welcome

[00:36] Mary's background: From social work to spiritual direction

[02:00] What is spiritual direction?

[05:00] The focus on relationship with God, not human guidance

[06:00] Common misconceptions about spiritual direction

[08:00] Suspending what we think we know

[09:00] The gentle stance of spiritual direction

[10:43] The struggle with self-love and feeling lovable

[12:00] Spiritual direction vs. counseling vs. mentoring

[14:00] How spiritual direction changes the director

[16:00] The unique interior access of spiritual direction

[18:00] Humility as foundational for spiritual directors

[20:00] Stories of growth and transformation

[24:00] What a typical session looks like

[27:00] Meeting with other spiritual directors

[29:00] How to find a spiritual director

[31:45] Does a spiritual director need to be clergy?

[33:45] What Mary wishes people knew

[35:00] Practices that support spiritual direction

[36:45] The connective tissue: Awareness of mystery

[38:00] Being present vs. letting ego take over

[40:00] Christ's easy yoke vs. spiritual struggle

[42:00] Universal human struggles

[44:00] True empathy: "I could be there"

[45:00] Self-compassion and taking responsibility

[47:00] Looking for witnesses

Mary Glowaski is a spiritual director, pastoral counselor, and former social worker who spent 20 years working in victim assistance, pastoral care, mediation, and crisis intervention for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. After receiving her master's in pastoral theology and completing three years of Ignatian formation, Mary has dedicated her life to creating sacred space where people can encounter God's love and gentleness. A mother of two sons, mother-in-law to two daughters-in-law, and grandmother to three, Mary brings deep wisdom, humility, and compassion to her ministry of spiritual companionship.

"Spiritual direction is really about looking at the whole... These moments in someone's lives, even the things that we struggle with, there's sacredness there."

"Too often, I find people that it's not that they don't feel loved, they don't see themselves as lovable."

"Before someone comes to me, I pray, get me out of the way. Really, who cares what I think? It doesn't matter."

"We spend so much time anthropomorphizing God, making God into us instead of making me an image, a reflection of God's image."

"When a relationship with God is a struggle, I say thank you, because that says to me that it's of value."

"Given the right circumstances, I'm certainly capable of doing the same thing. And so that just really relieves me of like, I don't need to judge it because I could be there."

"We can take a deep breath and begin again."

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Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, dedicated to helping people bridge the gap between religious practice and lived spiritual reality.