I.
Welcome to Stone and Star Interfaith Spiritual Direction.
Before all else, Maya wishes to share with you the universal reminder that
YOU ARE YOUR OWN AUTHORITY.
This means, simply, that YOU, and NO ONE BUT YOU, know what is best, right and True for yourself. Therefore, Maya invites you to remain aware of your inner life as you peruse this site (and in every moment of your life) - trust your heart to let you know what works for you and what does not. If something here does not serve you right now, feel welcome to let if fly on the next gentle breeze; and likewise, if what you find here resonates with your heart, feel welcome to drink the energy in, and Maya looks forward to connecting with you!
YOU ARE YOUR OWN AUTHORITY.
This means, simply, that YOU, and NO ONE BUT YOU, know what is best, right and True for yourself. Therefore, Maya invites you to remain aware of your inner life as you peruse this site (and in every moment of your life) - trust your heart to let you know what works for you and what does not. If something here does not serve you right now, feel welcome to let if fly on the next gentle breeze; and likewise, if what you find here resonates with your heart, feel welcome to drink the energy in, and Maya looks forward to connecting with you!
Whomever you are, wherever you are, however you are in this moment,
Whatever your experience of the Sacred or mundane world around you,
Maya Invites you to take a deep breath
YES
A
. . . B R E A T H . . .
Sometimes, finding our way is as
Simple
As remembering to breathe,
As gentle
As allowing our own body's rhythms
to drop us into our Hearts.
At least, this is a good place to start.
Whatever your experience of the Sacred or mundane world around you,
Maya Invites you to take a deep breath
YES
A
. . . B R E A T H . . .
Sometimes, finding our way is as
Simple
As remembering to breathe,
As gentle
As allowing our own body's rhythms
to drop us into our Hearts.
At least, this is a good place to start.
*What Mystery lies untended at the core of your being?
What calls out to be known from the center of your deepest heart?
How does your highest essence wish to commune with you?
In what way does whatever you hold most sacred long for you, and you for It?
What within you longs to unfold?
Silence
Safety
Nurturing
Emergence
Belonging
Fulfillment
Individuation
Offering
Creativity
Acknowledgement
Intuition
Vision
Manifestation
Radiance
Guidance
Blessing
Celebration
Divinity
Or. . .?
These are the birthrights of every being upon our Mother Earth.
Stone & Star Spiritual Direction offers a gateway - through listening and being listened to - to the world around us and to the Sacred within.
Rediscover your connected self.. .
Let your heart sing you it's longing, hum to you of it's truth.
Invite the unfoldment of your most authentic Self,
to awareness and manifestation of your soul's
Presence & Purpose.
Stone & Star Interfaith Spiritual Direction is a place of
Sacred Listening, a place of being heard.
What within you, and in your world, calls to be heard?
How does The Divine,
by whatever name you call Her/Them/It/Him,
whisper your name?
What is your unique and profound way of listening?
How do you wish to be received,
What rest & healing do you need right now?
What in your life are you grateful & what deserves celebration?
What did you come here to learn
and
What are you here to create?
Interfaith Spiritual Director (Companion), Hospice Chaplain, Grief Specialist, Creator of the Full Embodiment Workshops and www.HeartfulLivingandDying.com, Rev. Maya Massar, M.Div.
Welcomes your heart home to Itself.
Allow your wings to unfurl, and,
If and as you feel ready and are guided by your deepest truth,
Investigate the ways you might further Share your Shine with the world.
Maya very much looks forward to working with you.
II.
About Spiritual Direction
What is Spiritual Direction? What is it not? Why work with a Spiritual Director? Is this work for YOU? What does a Session look Like?
This section offers some general information on Spiritual Direction. For specific info on working with Maya, please peruse our other pages or contact Maya with your direct questions.
This section offers some general information on Spiritual Direction. For specific info on working with Maya, please peruse our other pages or contact Maya with your direct questions.
Who am I - In the truest and deepest sense?
How can I nurture the connection I feel in nature or in peak experiences where I feel “at one” with what I’m doing?
What do I have to give to life?
What spiritual skills for living can help me cope with the inevitable pain, loss and difficulty that beset us all at some time?
Where lies the sacred in my life?
How may I regain hope after loss?
Will I find my way - indeed, what IS "my" way?
What does The Divine (by whatever name you call Her/Them/It/Him) want from me?
How do I discern my truth around (my current problem or issue)?
These are only a few of the deep questions Spiritual Direction holds space for.
Spiritual Directors offer listening, the asking of open-ended questions, and compassion - to help us in finding our own answers; answers that build inner strength, a sense of connection, freedom, awareness and equanimity.
Spiritual Directors honor each soul's right to choose their own spiritual and life path - and their own unique way of walking that path.
Spiritual Directors may assist by helping individuals, partnerships, and larger groups or organizations find balance and compassion for self and others.
Spiritual Directors offer a loving, open-hearted presence while holding a space for The Divine to show up, here and now, in the present moment, and provide "mirrors" for assisting us in recognizing where in our every-day lives The Divine is revealed.
How can I nurture the connection I feel in nature or in peak experiences where I feel “at one” with what I’m doing?
What do I have to give to life?
What spiritual skills for living can help me cope with the inevitable pain, loss and difficulty that beset us all at some time?
Where lies the sacred in my life?
How may I regain hope after loss?
Will I find my way - indeed, what IS "my" way?
What does The Divine (by whatever name you call Her/Them/It/Him) want from me?
How do I discern my truth around (my current problem or issue)?
These are only a few of the deep questions Spiritual Direction holds space for.
Spiritual Directors offer listening, the asking of open-ended questions, and compassion - to help us in finding our own answers; answers that build inner strength, a sense of connection, freedom, awareness and equanimity.
Spiritual Directors honor each soul's right to choose their own spiritual and life path - and their own unique way of walking that path.
Spiritual Directors may assist by helping individuals, partnerships, and larger groups or organizations find balance and compassion for self and others.
Spiritual Directors offer a loving, open-hearted presence while holding a space for The Divine to show up, here and now, in the present moment, and provide "mirrors" for assisting us in recognizing where in our every-day lives The Divine is revealed.
*The section above is adapted from the Spiritual Directors International website. CLICK HERE TO VISIT SDI.
-- Rabbi Jacob Staub
Whether your experience of The Divine is a nameable deity, a way of life, a manner of thinking or analyzing the world around you, a Spiritual Director offers space for your Truth, tools for an ever deepening connection with all you hold sacred, and companionship on the journey of exploration.
III.
What Spiritual Direction is it not
Spiritual Direction is not counseling.
Spiritual Direction is not therapy.
Spiritual Direction is not any kind of medical care.
Spiritual Direction is not financial, marital or any other sort of advice.
Spiritual Direction is not spiritual or faith-group mentoring.
While Spiritual Direction may be conducted in a similar one-to-one or group setting as the above mentioned therapies, Spiritual Direction does not address the issues these therapies do. If you feel you are in need of any of the types of help listed, Spiritual Direction may be best saved for another time in your life. You may, at the approval of your primary practitioner, decide to engage in both one of the above therapies AND Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual Direction, oddly enough, is also NOT DIRECTION! As long as there has been Spiritual Direction, there has been dialogue around what to call it. Spiritual Guidance, Spiritual Companioning, Spiritual Helper. . . none of these, really, offers a great description of what a Spiritual Director is and does for those who come to them. . . and each of these is probably a bit closer to what Spiritual Direction is than the term Spiritual Director itself! What an "SD" does NOT do is DIRECT. What an "SD" does, in fact, is close to the opposite of direct; a Spiritual Director ALLOWS. . . . A Spiritual Direction session allows the self-directed UNFOLDMENT of your rich inner world and nature to emerge; allows the flow of all that is within us that is calling to be heard; allows the welling up of and communion with The Divine - or whatever we hold sacred - into our conscious moments. . .
Spiritual Direction is not therapy.
Spiritual Direction is not any kind of medical care.
Spiritual Direction is not financial, marital or any other sort of advice.
Spiritual Direction is not spiritual or faith-group mentoring.
While Spiritual Direction may be conducted in a similar one-to-one or group setting as the above mentioned therapies, Spiritual Direction does not address the issues these therapies do. If you feel you are in need of any of the types of help listed, Spiritual Direction may be best saved for another time in your life. You may, at the approval of your primary practitioner, decide to engage in both one of the above therapies AND Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual Direction, oddly enough, is also NOT DIRECTION! As long as there has been Spiritual Direction, there has been dialogue around what to call it. Spiritual Guidance, Spiritual Companioning, Spiritual Helper. . . none of these, really, offers a great description of what a Spiritual Director is and does for those who come to them. . . and each of these is probably a bit closer to what Spiritual Direction is than the term Spiritual Director itself! What an "SD" does NOT do is DIRECT. What an "SD" does, in fact, is close to the opposite of direct; a Spiritual Director ALLOWS. . . . A Spiritual Direction session allows the self-directed UNFOLDMENT of your rich inner world and nature to emerge; allows the flow of all that is within us that is calling to be heard; allows the welling up of and communion with The Divine - or whatever we hold sacred - into our conscious moments. . .
IV.
Why Work with a Spiritual Director?
Most - or perhaps even ALL - of us benefit from time spent listening to that "still, small voice within". Few of us take much time to do this on a regular basis. . . And yet even science and the military (which have not traditionally been considered the most spiritually based vocations in society) are recognizing that our intuitive mind has much to teach us - and is perhaps better equipped to make important decisions and discernments than our logical mind is.** Scheduling regular, contemplative time with your own heart can be life-transforming. Loving companionship on the journey within and into the present moment, in both times of great joy and growth and those of deep sorrow and loss, or simply in day to day life, is like nothing else: Well trained Spiritual Directors hold sacred space for whatever your most authentic moment holds for you. Deep personal growth, transformation and enlivening into the present moment can be heightened when we walk the path together. Spiritual Directors offer ways of observing the presence of the Divine in all the corners and on all the planes of your life experience. Can you feel the gentle breath of Something greater than yourself, even now, as you read?
There are three seats (at least metaphorically) in a Spiritual Director's office (be that office of brick or stone, in woodland, on hill, seaside or bedside) One they hold, one they offer you, and one for the presence of the Divine, Hope, Possibility. . .
There are three seats (at least metaphorically) in a Spiritual Director's office (be that office of brick or stone, in woodland, on hill, seaside or bedside) One they hold, one they offer you, and one for the presence of the Divine, Hope, Possibility. . .
V.
Thoughts on the sacred from many paths
Do any of these resonate with your heart? If so, where do they lead you?
If not, how might they better define what IS for you?
Wherever two or more of you are gathered in my name, there am I among you
- Jesus, Matthew 18:20
I do not believe in God and I am not an atheist.
― Albert Camus, Notebooks
― Albert Camus, Notebooks
It is good, so very good, to experience the quiet ministry of the living spirit of the living God.
- Howard Thurman
- Howard Thurman
Life demands Honesty; the ability to face and admit and express oneself.
- Starhawk
- Starhawk
Look not for sanctuary anyplace but within yourself.
- Gautauma Buddha
- Gautauma Buddha
And you who seek to know Me,
know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not,
unless you know the Mystery:
for if that which you seek,
you find not within yourself,
you will never find it without.
For behold, I have been there with you from the beginning,
and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
- Doreen Valiente
know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not,
unless you know the Mystery:
for if that which you seek,
you find not within yourself,
you will never find it without.
For behold, I have been there with you from the beginning,
and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
- Doreen Valiente
Taking pains to remove the pains of others is the true essence of generosity.
– Abu Bakr
– Abu Bakr
The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be.
- Shakti Gawain
- Shakti Gawain
Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
- Desmond Tutu
- Desmond Tutu
May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, may hope forever wipe away your tears. And, above all, may silence make you strong.
- Chief Dan George, Coast Salish, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Chief Dan George, Coast Salish, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
VI.
Is This Work for YOU?
You will discern whether working with a Spiritual Director is for you - no one else can make the decision for you. More questions, thoughts, concerns that might make Spiritual Direction the right path for you at this time could be:
Who will listen to me?
Will my mourning ever end?
How can I forgive/May I be forgiven?
How might I celebrate my growth?
What do my dreams mean?
What is my purpose?
Where do I belong?
What do I truly believe?
How may I further my service to humanity/Earth-siblings?
How will I face my death?
What is next in my life?
Where is my God?
What happened to Peace?
Where do I find love among all the hate?
How can I become more present?
In what way is The Divine calling me right now?
What is within me awaiting birth?
What in me is calling for release?
How may I make amends?
Where am I headed?
What does my deepest heart wish me to know, right now?
How might I bring the Sacred into my daily life?
Where is rest?
How do I wish to celebrate my spirituality?
How may I invite more creativity into my life?
What might be good use of my overflowing creativity?
Am I where I truly want to be?
What do I need to shift in order to be able to say YES to that last question?
What keeps me from making the changes I deeply wish to make?
. . . and as many more as you can name!
If your spiritual journey is inviting you to go deeper, reach farther, delve into your relationship with whatever you hold sacred, Spiritual Direction might be a good place for you. In an environment of safety and love, through conversation, holy listening, patient silence, poetry, prayer, song, art/creativity, movement, breath and possibly many other pathways, you will be welcomed to explore the most primary and enriching experience of being human:
Personal communion with God. Goddess. Raw and Authentic of Science.
Nature. OM. Mystical Awareness. Path to your Buddha Nature. . .
What is Sacred To You?
How do you touch this?
How do you LIVE it?
Who will listen to me?
Will my mourning ever end?
How can I forgive/May I be forgiven?
How might I celebrate my growth?
What do my dreams mean?
What is my purpose?
Where do I belong?
What do I truly believe?
How may I further my service to humanity/Earth-siblings?
How will I face my death?
What is next in my life?
Where is my God?
What happened to Peace?
Where do I find love among all the hate?
How can I become more present?
In what way is The Divine calling me right now?
What is within me awaiting birth?
What in me is calling for release?
How may I make amends?
Where am I headed?
What does my deepest heart wish me to know, right now?
How might I bring the Sacred into my daily life?
Where is rest?
How do I wish to celebrate my spirituality?
How may I invite more creativity into my life?
What might be good use of my overflowing creativity?
Am I where I truly want to be?
What do I need to shift in order to be able to say YES to that last question?
What keeps me from making the changes I deeply wish to make?
. . . and as many more as you can name!
If your spiritual journey is inviting you to go deeper, reach farther, delve into your relationship with whatever you hold sacred, Spiritual Direction might be a good place for you. In an environment of safety and love, through conversation, holy listening, patient silence, poetry, prayer, song, art/creativity, movement, breath and possibly many other pathways, you will be welcomed to explore the most primary and enriching experience of being human:
Personal communion with God. Goddess. Raw and Authentic of Science.
Nature. OM. Mystical Awareness. Path to your Buddha Nature. . .
What is Sacred To You?
How do you touch this?
How do you LIVE it?
VII.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Spiritual Direction Sessions may be conducted in many locations; an office is traditional, and schools, churches, other spiritual centers or libraries are all also common locations. Some Spiritual Directors work in housing for the elderly, hospitals, or make in-home visits. A few SD's may meet clients in public parks or other places in nature. Currently, it is common for Spiritual Direction sessions to take place by phone or on-line sessions.
It is usually suggested that you commit to a full year of Spiritual Direction - that is, 12 sessions, once per month. Of course if you and your Spiritual Director do not feel like a fit, you may choose to terminate the remainder of your sessions. (Maya suggests committing to a minimum of 3 sessions, and then discerning if you would like to continue.)
Individuals
One-on-one Spiritual Direction is the most common form of SD. Usually, a session lasts 50 minutes. Cost varies depending on location (as with most helping services, larger cities have higher rates) and training and experience of the Spiritual Director also dictate price range. While SD's do not take insurance, many do have a sliding scale. Depending on various things, rates may vary from between $40-$125/hour while between $50-75/hour is most common. Some SD's may offer discounts for booking multiple sessions in advance (Maya does).
Your SD will often start by asking how you feel called to begin. If you are unsure, your SD will offer suggestions or guide you, usually into some gentle silence, to shift gears from the hub-bub of daily life, or you might begin with the reading of a prayer or sacred poem.
Trust in YOUR process is a central focus of any Spiritual Direction session.
Couples
Spiritual Direction with couples is similar to one-on-one work. Time limits and fees may be slightly longer/higher. SD for couples may come at a time of relationship stress or difficulty - or even more fruitful may be to work with an SD in times of celebration, such as marriage, anniversary, or simply as on-going good relationship housekeeping.
Groups and Organizations
Spiritual Directors work with groups in various ways. Long term or on-going Spiritual Direction or special one-time workshops can assist in bringing groups into harmony with one another for the duration of a particular project or general company/class/spiritual congregation or family well-being and harmony. Sessions in either case may be short and sweet, several hours or even a full weekend long, depending on size of group and needs.
You are welcome to CONTACT MAYA with your thoughts or questions.
It is usually suggested that you commit to a full year of Spiritual Direction - that is, 12 sessions, once per month. Of course if you and your Spiritual Director do not feel like a fit, you may choose to terminate the remainder of your sessions. (Maya suggests committing to a minimum of 3 sessions, and then discerning if you would like to continue.)
Individuals
One-on-one Spiritual Direction is the most common form of SD. Usually, a session lasts 50 minutes. Cost varies depending on location (as with most helping services, larger cities have higher rates) and training and experience of the Spiritual Director also dictate price range. While SD's do not take insurance, many do have a sliding scale. Depending on various things, rates may vary from between $40-$125/hour while between $50-75/hour is most common. Some SD's may offer discounts for booking multiple sessions in advance (Maya does).
Your SD will often start by asking how you feel called to begin. If you are unsure, your SD will offer suggestions or guide you, usually into some gentle silence, to shift gears from the hub-bub of daily life, or you might begin with the reading of a prayer or sacred poem.
Trust in YOUR process is a central focus of any Spiritual Direction session.
Couples
Spiritual Direction with couples is similar to one-on-one work. Time limits and fees may be slightly longer/higher. SD for couples may come at a time of relationship stress or difficulty - or even more fruitful may be to work with an SD in times of celebration, such as marriage, anniversary, or simply as on-going good relationship housekeeping.
Groups and Organizations
Spiritual Directors work with groups in various ways. Long term or on-going Spiritual Direction or special one-time workshops can assist in bringing groups into harmony with one another for the duration of a particular project or general company/class/spiritual congregation or family well-being and harmony. Sessions in either case may be short and sweet, several hours or even a full weekend long, depending on size of group and needs.
You are welcome to CONTACT MAYA with your thoughts or questions.
VIII.
Suggestion for Getting Started
One of Maya's beloved professors and mentors,
the Reverend John Mabry,
has published a small book that may assist seekers in preparing for embarking on the journey.
Click HERE
to take a look at - and purchase, if you so desire - Rev. Mabry's book, Starting Spiritual Direction.
the Reverend John Mabry,
has published a small book that may assist seekers in preparing for embarking on the journey.
Click HERE
to take a look at - and purchase, if you so desire - Rev. Mabry's book, Starting Spiritual Direction.
IX.
The New York Times posted an article on Spiritual Direction:
NYT Can Spiritual Directors Help?
Nondenominational “spiritual companions” offer to connect clients to the divine in their everyday life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/style/self-care/spiritual-directors-faith-religion.html?mc_cid=cb0d28fae4&mc_eid=[c09845ebcb]
** There are many articles on line on this topic - if interested, try googling "intuitive mind vs logical mind".
X.
More
Maya is a member of Spiritual Directors International and abides by their Guidelines for Ethical Conduct.
Maya holds a certificate of Spiritual Direction and Interfaith Chaplaincy from The Chaplaincy Institute, in conjunction with her Master of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Maya has been ordained and a practicing Spiritual Companion since 1998.
Maya offers private client appointments by phone, online, or out of her cozy office in Bucksport, Maine (see CONTACT page). She is also currently serving as Hospice Spiritual Advisor for Community Health and Counseling Services in Bangor, ME and occasionally gives sermons at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine, Castine, ME.
You may visit her Rest & Renewal offerings page or
www.HeartfulLivingandDying.com for blog and resources on Living and Dying with Heart, Courage and Full Presence.
You are welcome to contact Maya for more information on our Contact page.
Maya adheres to The Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators. It was created by:
▪ The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)
▪ The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)
▪ The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)
▪ The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)
▪ The National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC)
▪ The Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CARRE/ACPEP)
WORK WITH MAYA
Altar-building. Alternative-Healing. Angels. Art. Awareness. Blessings. Breath. Birth.
Coming-of-Age. ChristLight. CrystalCathedrals. Dance for the “Non-Dancer”.
Companion in Death & Dying. Earth-Stewardship. Faerie-Star-Chakra-School.
Unconditional Forgiveness (only when it is ripe).
Full-Embodiment. Laughter Yoga. Light-Body-Activation. Ideas-from-the-Healing-Hut.
Intuitive Interactive-Presentations-Lectures-Classes-Workshops.
Magick. Meditation. Performance. Pagan. Poetry. Ritual.
Sacred-Sound. Shakespeare. Shamanic-ministry. Spirit-by-Every-Name.
Survivors-for-Survivors (Healing the effects of Sexual Abuse - victims and perpetrators).
Visualization. Weddings/Handfastings.
Wild. Witch. Wizarding. Wonder. Zaba-the-96lb-crystal-skull.
THE ANGELS CIRCLE, MUD HUT PRODUCTIONS, TEMPLE OF THE SUN WOLF
and HEARTFUL LIVING & DYING
at WIND MINISTRIES.
Acrylic Paintings on this site (c) MayaMassar 2017
Altar-building. Alternative-Healing. Angels. Art. Awareness. Blessings. Breath. Birth.
Coming-of-Age. ChristLight. CrystalCathedrals. Dance for the “Non-Dancer”.
Companion in Death & Dying. Earth-Stewardship. Faerie-Star-Chakra-School.
Unconditional Forgiveness (only when it is ripe).
Full-Embodiment. Laughter Yoga. Light-Body-Activation. Ideas-from-the-Healing-Hut.
Intuitive Interactive-Presentations-Lectures-Classes-Workshops.
Magick. Meditation. Performance. Pagan. Poetry. Ritual.
Sacred-Sound. Shakespeare. Shamanic-ministry. Spirit-by-Every-Name.
Survivors-for-Survivors (Healing the effects of Sexual Abuse - victims and perpetrators).
Visualization. Weddings/Handfastings.
Wild. Witch. Wizarding. Wonder. Zaba-the-96lb-crystal-skull.
THE ANGELS CIRCLE, MUD HUT PRODUCTIONS, TEMPLE OF THE SUN WOLF
and HEARTFUL LIVING & DYING
at WIND MINISTRIES.
Acrylic Paintings on this site (c) MayaMassar 2017
