Words like spiritual and direction carry all sorts of open and hidden meanings that may not be true to what happens in practice. I see spiritual direction as a relationship within which one Christian accompanies someone else along the journey of faith towards maturity as a follower of Jesus Christ. It takes place in conversations that cover all aspects of life. There is a clear recognition that God is important and present as a third party in the relationship, which unfolds against a background of prayer. In the Anglican tradition spiritual direction sometimes takes place in the context of sacramental confession and absolution, but probably less now than in the past.
Difficulties can also arise over the concept of director and direction .
In the way we normally use them, the words carry a sense of authority, even authoritarianism. A director directs, is in charge. Obedience to a director has been seen by some people as an essential part of the relationship. But that kind of authoritarianism is foreign to many who are involved in spiritual direction today. What is essential is that the person seeking direction is fully respected as an independent human being.