Written by This afternoon we had a seminar by Hannah Hunt from Leeds Trinity University on Spiritual Direction in the Desert Fathers and as Spiritual practice today. I don’t think I got the title exactly right, but it wasn’t completely on this topic so I don’t mind being a bit imprecise. To summarize what I got out of this seminar:
Dr. Hunt discussed the role of the spiritual direction and spiritual fatherhood in the orthodox tradition and covered St. Symeon the New Theologian’s relationship with his spiritual father. She dealt partially about the accusations of these relationships being viewed as somewhat cultish to outsiders because of the level of obedience the spiritual child had to their spiritual father as well as the separation of the child from their natural family. To have a spiritual father, depending on who they are was/is an honor to some, but taken to be too highly regarded and you would have to repent for pride.
To get a spiritual father took discernment and one could not be a father unless they had some sort of divine spark or illuminating experience. This is where the uncreated light (manifestation of glory?) plays an important role. Sometimes the people having such experiences were at odds with the ordained or ecclesiastical officials because of taking confession as well as claims of mystical experiences. To St. Symeon the mystical authority was the highest authority and he did not want anyone teaching unless they could speak/teach out of experience of this divine illumination.
The seminar sparked (pun intended) some interesting questions and discussion.
In the charismatic protestant world there is a lot of talk about spiritual fathers and mothers as well as spiritual orphans. Strangely enough, I have heard rumors of these relationships being abused and/or unhealthy. On the other side of the coin, I have heard many younger people lament the fact they don’t have a spiritual mentor/father/mother. Which raises the question who is your (spiritual) mamma/daddy?
