Plumbing the depths: theological reflection and spiritual direction
It is a common practice today to separate spirituality from religion. In the western development of Christianity, this separation mirrors earlier divisions of theology into different disciplines. One of the consequences of these divisions has been to isolate spirituality from theology and more recently, spirituality from religion.
Concomitant with the separation of spirituality from theology and
spirituality from religion has been the separation of heart and mind.
Heart and mind, the affective (heart) and the cognitive (mind), are both
important in prayer and spiritual life. To focus on experience and the
affective dimension of spiritual life runs the risk of neglecting the
cognitive, as represented by theological study and understanding whilst
emphasis on thinking can lead to a denial or suppression of experience.
This paper examines the role of theological reflection as a method
for developing theological depth and integration. It suggests that
theological reflection provides a supporting framework through which
heart and mind can be held in balance. Through locating spiritual
direction within the pastoral spiral, it proposes that theological
reflection may offer a bridge between spirituality and religion within
the process spiritual direction.
Nancy Ault PhD is a Lecturer in Practical Theology and the Director
of Supervised Field Education, Perth Theological Hall, and a Lecturer
in Practical Theology, Murdoch University, Western Australia
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