On the Journey with Ina Strydom
Spiritual Direction, Guided Prayer & The Ignatian Exercises, from wherever you are
“Contemplation is waiting patiently for the gaps to be filled in, and it does not insist on quick closure or easy answers.”
Richard Rohr
Spiritual Direction
A deepening of faith and renewed way of life
What is spiritual direction? Maybe l can start with what it's not. It is not counseling or therapy, which deals with a problem someone has encountered in their lives.
Spiritual Direction happens when someone helps you listen to what God is busy with in your life. The director asks questions to help you notice the movements in your heart and life, in what areas you have grown and what wounds may still be hampering your growth. A director does not give advice or try to fix problems, but may give suggestions on how to pray, to find a deeper connection with the living God and to discover unhelpful images of God.
A sprititual direction journey can last for a limited or indefinite period of time, depending on your own journey and growing intimacy with God. Our meetings will be scheduled at a time that works for you, usually one meeting a month, wherever you may be in the world, through a video or audio application such as Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp.
If you would like to learn more about spiritual direction and my approach, I invite you to book a first free one hour session.
Guided Prayer
Learning to pray
Guided Prayer is a way to experience a retreat in the midst of a busy daily life. In a week of guided prayer, you will spend 30min a day speaking with me, in which time I will listen to your experience of prayer and the movements of God in your life, as well as suggest and explain (if neccessary) a type of prayer, like lectio divina or Gospel contemplation and give a text of Scripture to pray on. There could also be other suggestions, like praying with art, music, nature etc. In addition to this commitment, you will be invited to pray for 30min each day for 5 days and keep a journal of your prayer journey.
To learn more about guided prayer or to explore whether this would be a helpful journey for you at this stage, I invite you to book a first free 30min session with me.
Ignatian Exercises
A retreat of discernment and deepening of spirituality
In 1548, St Ignatius of Loyola published the Spiritual Exercises - a collection of prayers, meditations and reflections born out of his personal experiences of growing in union with God.
Now, this carefully designed framework is used by thousands of people around the world as a retreat amidst the demands of daily life, spending a period of time in daily prayer and weekly meetings with a spiritual director, who uses the handbook to help participants gain insight into their own experiences and provides the scripture and exercises for every day.
Having completed the Exercises in a 30 day silent retreat, I have also guided many others through this life-giving journey, adding journaling as an additional invitation to the prayers and meetings. The Exercises typically lasts 9 months or longer, designed according to your own schedule and needs.
If you would like to learn more about the Exercises and my approach to guiding others, you are welcome to book a free 30min introductory session with me.
About Me
I am Ina, born and living in the beautiful city of Johannesburg in South Africa. To be with people as they deepen their relationship with God is my great privilege. My own faith and joy is strengthened when l get to be a witness to God's presence and action in another person's life, as they become lighter and freer. To have a Spiritual Director is also essential in my own walk with God, as it can often be confusing, especially during times of desolation.
I have two years of training in Spiritual Direction at Mosaïek Academy (Mosaïek Church in Fairland, Johannesburg) and did the Ignatian Exercises with the Jesuits Institute of South Africa in a month long silent retreat. I have accompanied a great many people on weeks of guided prayer at our church (Mosaïek) and am continuously acting as Spiritual Director for people from all walks of life, sharing my own experiences as well as gaining new perspectives and taking part in those amazing "Aha!" moments.
I would love to explore your walk with God alongside you and invite you for a first free session, as it is essential that we both feel comfortable in this sacred, vulnerable space.
Fees
Spiritual Direction
$50 Per session
Monthly meetings of 1 hour each
Guided Prayer
$100 Total
30min session each day for 5 consecutive days
Ignatian Exercises
$25 Per session
30min session every week for a minimum of 9 months
Refund Policy
Payment for all pre-scheduled sessions must be received within 48 hours of the scheduled session.
Any session that either party is unable to attend or cancel will be rescheduled.
Contact Me
Whether you are ready to book a first free session or would like to find out more about Spiritual Direction, Guided Prayer, Ignatian Exercises or my approach, I would love to hear from you. Our meetings will be held via Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp or another suitable medium.