Spiritual Guidance

Spiritual Guidance

What is Spiritual Guidance?

Spiritual Guidance is a process of helping a seeker (you) follow their (your) unique spiritual path. My ideal for this process is that it helps a seeker become more aware of, to trust, and to honor, their inner and outer guidance systems. Ultimately the seeker must choose and walk their path - therefore it is best if they become wayfinders.

Spiritual Guidance helps us when we feel curious, lost, confused, overwhelmed, stagnant, or possibly, simply lonely, or wishing to bring more holiness into our lives, on our journey to the highest. Imagine trying to summit in the terrain of the above picture. Imagine how easy it would be to get lost. We might wander up the wrong canyon and feel we have hit an impasse. We might take great risks to reach “a” peak only to realize it is not the true summit. Or we might simply feel lonely on the journey, given how much endurance is required. This is life.

The ideal guide knows this terrain well, and knows at least one path leading to the summit. Also excellent is if they know of alternative paths leading to the summit, or at least have a map for alternate paths - and ideally are willing to refer to guides who know those paths better. Sometimes the guide will simply listen and reflect so that you hear yourself objectively. Therefore, try to connect with a guide who knows a path and has a style that resonates with you.

How is Spiritual Guidance done?

The process of Spiritual Guidance can vary. Either in-person or online, we connect with each other; we then bring awareness to our connection with Spirit using prayer and/or meditation, and then dialogue. Depending on your needs, some sessions may be highly educational in format, and other times we may read scripture together, or sit together in silent meditation. In many cases you will share where you are, what you are doing, and I will listen deeply, reflect back to you, ask open-ended questions, and suggest practices.

Spiritual Guides come in a variety of capacities ranging from saints, to role-models & teachers, to gurus (with guru-disciple relationships), to coaches, to spiritual directors, to spiritual companions / friends. To name a few. The relationship we (you & I) form depends on where you and I are on our journeys, and what your needs are. While I won’t pretend to be a saint, a guru, or a Master, Spirit has Graced me with various experiences and the curiosity to study broadly, giving me some understanding. And in all cases, my process is to listen and speak from the Heart.

What I Believe

I, Cameron, believe there are many paths to the Summit. The analogy is that the spiritual traditions are paths to the Summit, and the Summit is the abode of the GOD. Each of the traditional (religious) paths have their set of beliefs, practices, and descriptions of the Summit. There are many paths, and trailblazers might even forge their own paths - but be aware the well developed traditions encode many lifetimes of experiences that can help you accelerate your journey. It would be unwise to discard such accumulated wisdom.

To further the analogy: the path to the Summit from the South, may begin in a hot desert and require rock climbing skills. You may know in your heart that this is not the path for you. The Eastern path is more like a jungle, with steep, vegetated terrain, and lots of rainfall, and it may appeal more or less. Similarly, the Western path may be more temperate at the start with hardwoods shrouding the mountain. And the Northern approach may contain more moss and cold & wet trails that turn to snow earlier than the other paths. While each of the paths seem considerably different in the beginning, they all begin to look the same as you approach the Summit: eventually you rise above the tree-line, and the views open up considerably; the temperature drops as we rise; further up, fields of ice make it very challenging and easy to slide back down the mountain; at these upper elevations you may find yourself above the clouds so that the sun is always shining on a cloudy day. Other days you may feel lost in a cloud. And you may often feel you are walking alone.

Details of the Summit vary between the spiritual traditions and specific lineages. The descriptions fill many volumes of text, and are best saved for another day.

Whatever culture you were born into, whatever dharma you were born to, the fact that you are reading this page makes me believe you will find the Summit. It is my belief that we are all born with an inner guidance system that leads us home.

Spirit has guided me to study the ancient teachings from India. These teachings have given me insight on personal experiences and expanded my understanding profoundly. The Eastern teachings have given me heart-resonating understanding of the Christian Bible that I grew up with. My studies of religions of the world are ongoing - and I am only a beginner.

What Cameron Offers

My goal is to help you (the seeker) listen to & follow your inner guidance system. When possible, I point out obvious signs along the way. My role involves deep & compassionate listening, reflection, open-ended inquiry, teaching techniques (see next paragraph), recommending books, and assisting in the discernment process. Sometimes my role is simply to show up and help guide the seeker to a place of Peace so they can see & think more clearly.

Inner listening and transformation require that seekers learn: about Love & Devotion (Bhakti Yoga), Karma Yoga (managing karma/“sin” in action, through desireless action, & surrender of result), meditation, prayer, interpretation of signs (dreams, intuition, synchronicities, inviting messages from spirit, etc.), journaling, creative expression, and to discover life’s mission, and how to practice mindfulness. Expressions of Gratitude, Joy, Love, and Compassion, are strongly encouraged and nurtured in both prayer and action. Meditation, Prayer, Service, and Study, are required for progress on this path.