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About Mary Rees
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Spiritual Direction
Contemplation, Meditation, Prayer
Participating in practices of Vipassana or Insight Meditation, which are rooted in the Buddhist tradition, require no religious allegiance. The practices are a perfectly appropriate supplement to enrich spiritual life in any tradition.
Why would I work with Mary instead of another Spiritual Companion?Mary may or may not be the right Companion for you. Consider her thoughts on Spiritual Direction:
I think of my work as mid-wifing Mystery. I am of most value as a Spiritual Director if you wish to focus on prayer, integrating it in all your life, letting it form your life.
You might appreciate working with me if you feel a little out of place in traditional settings, if you are in a leadership role within your tradition, or if you are experiencing a shift in your understanding of God.
I work with people from various traditions and point to the possibilities of prayer as an embodied experience, accessible regardless of one's tradition. I especially enjoy supporting people in a balanced opening to experiences of God and in learning to live skillfully and happily through the whole range of possibilities in prayer life - from times of dryness through times of feeling overwhelmed by Love. - Mary
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About Spiritual Direction
Mary Rees
What is Spiritual Direction - or Spiritual Companioning?
Having a Spiritual Companion is walking with someone in your spiritual life, one who encourages you to listen to your own heart's voice...to "trust your own deepest experience."
How do I initiate a Spiritual Direction/Companion relationship?
Churches, temples, synagogues and retreat centers offer Spiritual Direction. These are often offered for free will donations. For options contact the coordinator of Spiritual Directors in your region - or for an online Christian resource, see Shalom Place.
It is not advisable to rush yourself. Read more about what Spiritual Direction is. Explore options. Interview more than one director before committing yourself to the work. Find out about them by reading their writing or taking group courses with them. Notice how they interact with other people. Is there freedom and ease in the relationships you observe?
If you aren't ready to begin working with Mary, start by reading some of her writing, studying website offerings, or taking some of her courses.
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A Spiritual Companion is not a therapist.
Spiritual Companioning is part of a transformational process. It is not necessarily about becoming more well adjusted, but becoming more real, becoming whole. The work can involve all aspects of life, but all are dealt with in relationship to faith and one's deepest spiritual yearnings.
Spiritual Direction and therapy are good companions. As you deepen in your spiritual practice, you may be open to working more deeply with issues that have been standing in the way of your full flowering. It is wise to have both a spiritual director and a therapist.
How is a session with a Spiritual Companion different from a meditation practice interview?
The meditation practice interview is only 10-20 minutes in length and is usually focused on mechanics of meditation practice. In spiritual companioning there is space to talk about what any experience has to do with faith life, spirituality, relationship with Mystery or Higher Power. Sessions thus last a little longer than a practice interview - thirty to fifty minutes.
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About Working with Mary
What are Mary's qualifications for offering Spiritual Companionship?
In 1990 Mary graduated from the Spiritual Direction Institute, a joint program between the Cenacle Retreat House and University of St. Thomas, both in Houston. She has graduate hours in Christian Spirituality and Buddhist Meditation Theory.
Mary has worked with her own Spiritual Directors since 1981, Alice Meenan, MM, and Mary Dennison, rc. and her primary meditation teachers since 1985 (Rodney Smith, now Marcia Rose).
She has been teaching meditation courses since 1989, practicing Vipassana or Insight Meditation since 1985 and contemplative prayer since 1975.
In 2001 Mary presented a daylong pre-conference institute at the Spiritual Direction International Conference. Self-knowledge as a Path to Justice and Compassion. And in 2004: Transforming Consciousness: Spiritual Practices for Transforming Afflictive Emotions and Manifesting Wholesome Qualities of Mind.
Mary's most recent works include -
a book:
Being Prayer - Transforming Consciousness
a computer based meditation course: Going Beyond what you Believe to be True - First Steps.
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Beginning Spiritual Direction - Working with Mary through this site
Be sure to explore options. There are many excellent spiritual directors and the decision about who to work with is an important one. Consider the first session with Mary or any other spiritual director as a trial or opportunity to get acquainted, to feel if the director will be a good companion for you. Meet more than one before you settle on the person you wish to work with long term. Then commit yourself to a specific time period - six months to a year - then consider again.
If you would like meet Mary to consider working with her follow the steps below:
Read, sign, and mail the current Policy Statement. The current fees will be your fees as long as you work with Mary.
Complete an online application form.
Examine the Preparation sheet. Mail it with your policy statement.
Pay for you initial session through PayPal or by mailing a check or money order from a US Bank to Mary Rees, P.O. Box 20161, Houston, TX 77025. You may select a 30 minute or 60 minute first session.
When Mary has all your registration materials, she will contact you by email to set up an initial session.
To do something on your own right away you might consider the following:
Taking one of Mary' s classes
Reading one of Mary's publications
Begin work establishing a daily spiritual practice.
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Citta101.Org ~ Being Prayer ~ Nutshell Publications®
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