New Enneagram Institute

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Welcome everyone,

We have wonderful news.

Respected author and accredited Enneagram teacher, Christopher Heuertz will present a new institute on April 26, 2018 in St. Louis. Chris will be teaching from his new book entitled The Sacred Enneagram - Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth. Chris is a student of Richard Rohr (Father Richard wrote the introduction to the new book) and presents at workshops and retreats around the world.

Some of you might have missed our record-breaking webinar series on the Enneagram that just ended this month. So you are probably wondering - what is the Enneagram? Here is Chris' answer:

"As a sacred map to our soul, the Enneagram is a compassionate tool, sketching out possibilities and opportunities, pointing us back to our True Self. The Enneagram explains the 'why' of how we think, act, and feel. The Enneagram helps us come to terms with our gifts as well as the addictive psychological patterns that tether us to our greatest interpersonal, spiritual, and emotional challenges. Ultimately, the Enneagram reveals our best, truest self with its potential to heal a world in need. As a tool for spiritual awareness, the Enneagram moves beyond simple rendering of each type, to illuminating a path to develop our identity and spirituality.From the Enneagram-curious to the seasoned lifelong enthusiast, The Sacred Enneagram one-day is for anyone who cares about nurturing a deep spirituality rooted in self- awareness."

So if you plan on attending our Seeking Connection 2018 conference anyway, why not come a day early and learn about this ancient wisdom system?

Click to learn more about the Sacred Enneagram Institute: ..... SDI Conference "Seeking Connection 2018"

OTHER NEWS

BIG TURNOUT IN THE BAY AREA - About 50 people attended the SDI Northern California Regional Gathering in Oakland, CA on October 29. Executive Director Anil Singh-Molares addressed the group, which discussed how community could be fostered in the area. Many thanks to the Bay Area SDI Event Planning Committee:Yesh Douglas Ballon, Karen L. Erlichman, Helen Kwon Kalanithi, Wendie Bernstein Lash and Joellynn Monahan. Thanks also to the Plymouth Jazz and Justice Church (UCC) for hosting us. ANIL IN THE LAND OF OZ - SDI's executive director Anil Singh-Molares went on an ambitious 11-day visit Down Under to meet the Australian spiritual director community in October. (In good spiritual director fashion, he listened carefully at each meeting.) He crossed the breadth of this massive nation, from Perth to Cairns. Watch for Anil's reflections on his visit and what he learned in the November edition of "Connections."

QUESTIONS: What spiritual practice helps you most in your work?

What practices help those receiving companionship?

Our community has asked for practice ideas to be shared on SDI's social media. You can find an example of one such practice below. What do you think? You are what makes SDI a welcoming and nurturing community. We want to hear from you. Before November 25, please give us your answers here:

http://www.sdiworld.org/content/discover-question PRACTICE CHALLENGE: Imagine God (or the Universe, or the Higher Power or however you refer to the deep connection we all share) not as a destination, but a partner. How would you listen to God as your companion? Who/what would you forgive? Who/what would you hold in compassion? Click here to join the community discussion on Facebook.

VIDEO SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND THE POWER OF STORY -- Rev. Margaret Guenther authored "Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction," a contemporary classic in the field of spiritual direction. In this SDI Learns video from 2011, she talks about the healing that can come from sharing (and listening to) stories. She also explains what it means to "take out the garbage" in a spiritual direction session! Watch here or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxNyTf91f2c You won't be disappointed. Rev. Margaret was a real raconteur and her conversation with spiritual director Christopher McCauley is delightful.

FOOD FOR DISCERNMENT What if - as well as turning the other cheek - we turned both ears towards those we disagreed with? This blog post from spiritual director Rev. Catherine Tran is a peaceful but potent strategy to heal division anytime, anywhere. Read it here: http://www.sdiworld.org/blog/one-way-heal-division How contemplation can be the key to connection. Here is mystic insight from our friend Father Richard Rohr - himself a great connector. For more: https://cac.org/hildegard-of-bingen-2017-09-27/ With deep thanks to the Center for Action and Contemplation for sharing these meditations. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE TRY SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? ... Where else will you be honored as - and asked to be - a whole being, not just a means to an end? Click here for more detail and the Facebook discussion

NOTICE ANYTHING NEW ABOUT SDI's LOOK?

Yes, we've had a logo makeover. Our executive director, Anil Singh-Molares explains:

"Our new logo encapsulates the vision and mission of SDI:

• Two hands - mirrors one to the other - that of the spiritual director and that of the spiritual directee. The hands are reaching towards each other, in recognition of the intimacy of spiritual direction and of the relationship between both participants and God (or the Higher Power or the Universe or however you define this deep connection).

• In the foreground, a path - the path of spiritual direction- which begins everywhere and ultimately leads to Mystery, receding into the distance.

• In the background, the night sky, and the stars, representing God (Universe, Higher Power)."

NEW CONTEMPLATIVES - APPLY NOW

NEW CONTEMPLATIVES 2018 - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN https://www.sdievents.org/special-programs-1 New Contemplatives will receive a full scholarship plus hotel and a travel stipend for the Spiritual Directors International "Seeking Connection" conference in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, April 26-29, 2018. SDI seeks candidates that reflect human diversity on our planet. Some people have asked us what we mean by "diversity." To us, it includes - but is not limited to - a range of spiritual inclinations and practices, ethnicity and culture. The deadline for receiving applications is Friday December 1, 2017. Please spread the word for us about this fantastic opportunity for younger spiritual directors (and those with equivalent experience). Fill out this short nomination form and we'll contact them directly. http://www.sdiworld.org/c…/new-contemplative-nomination-form This is an extraordinary chance to build community for SDI by engaging the new generation of spiritual companions.... May the circle be unbroken.

BLESSING With respect and appreciation,

Anil Singh-Molares

Executive Director

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