What Is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice undertaken by two people together. Your role in this practice is to open yourself to the spirit. My role is to listen to you, reflect with you, and offer you guidance. Together, we’ll explore and deepen your relationship to the divine, to the spirit world, to yourself, and to the emerging meaning of your life.
You may be just beginning to imagine what your spirituality is, or you may have been walking your spiritual path for longer than I’ve been alive. Your life may feel just about perfect except for that one elusive something you long for but can’t define, or you may be deep in the grip of a crisis you don’t see any way out of. You might be a faithful adherent to one of the world’s great faith traditions, you might be spiritual but not religious, you might be an atheist. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, the practice of Spiritual Direction can connect you to the spirit, to yourself, and to your next steps.
What Makes Deep Mountain Unique?
Expertise & Accountability
I’ve been a Spiritual Guide and Director in various settings for more than 15 years. I’m seminary trained and I’ve been an ordained, working minister since 2011. My experience in seminary and with ordination in the United Church of Christ means that I’m well trained academically and in the real world, I’ve worked with all kinds of people at the best and worst moments of their lives, and I’m being held professionally accountable by a responsible and engaged ecclesiastical body.
Freedom from Dogma
If you’re not a church person or a Christian, don’t worry. Deep Mountain is for EVERYBODY. This is not a church or an exclusively Christian space. My mission here is not to make you more like me. My mission is to use my gifts and experience for the honor of helping you become more like you.
An Emphasis on Experience
All of us adhere to some degree to an abstract belief system—whether it be some religious dogma, political ideology, or cultural notions about what is and isn’t possible, what is and isn’t real. Abstract belief systems aren’t all bad, just like a map of the world you carry in your pocket isn’t bad—it can help you find your way. The trouble comes when you try to live on the map, rather than in the real world. Instead of getting stuck in ideas about what your spirituality “should” look like, we’ll focus on what you directly experience—where your beliefs and practices come alive.
A Connection to the Earth
If you live near Ellenville, NY or you’re visiting the Hudson Valley, we can do our sessions together on the mountain or somewhere else out in nature—hiking, strolling, or sitting in the grass. Communing with the natural world is a form of spiritual practice and it can enhance the experience of Spiritual Direction.
A Mystical Perspective
My experience tells me that spirituality, psychology, and the supernatural are all deeply intertwined. Together, we’ll explore how these dimensions show up in your life. If you’re mystically inclined, I’m ready. If you’re not, I can help you to explore aspects of your experience that go beyond the rational.
Practical Spirituality
I have been a spiritual and religious practitioner all my life, and I can offer you guidance on integrating spiritual practice into your own life—from prayer and meditation to journaling and creativity to rituals and ceremonies. From simple, daily routines to complex ceremonies for a special occasion, I can help you integrate your spirituality into your life.
At Deep Mountain my goal is to create a sacred space between us
where you are empowered to speak your truth, discover yourself, and take the next steps on your journey.
“There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace and my happiness depend:
to discover myself in discovering God.
If I find Him, I will find myself, and if I find my true self, I will find Him.”
~Thomas Merton
Testimonials
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Jeff's spiritual wisdom is playful, profound, empathetic and often unexpected. He'll never tell you what to do—but in talking with him, the road will open before you, magnificently.
~Molly B.
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Jeff was the interim pastor of my church for about a year and officiated my wedding in 2018.
We found out he would be the officiant for our wedding before we met him and just a few months prior to our wedding date (our other officiant had to step down) so we were a bit nervous.
Fortunately, after meeting Jeff only once he put our minds at ease. He provided several premarital counseling sessions and guided us through thoughtful conversations that helped him get to know us as a couple and encouraged my husband and me to reflect on our relationship and our goals for marriage. Jeff also worked closely with us to create our dream ceremony.
The amount of thought and effort that Jeff put into our wedding ceremony made it truly special and meaningful; I cannot recommend him highly enough if you’re looking for an officiant for your wedding. Jeff is extremely personable and has a great easy-going personality and sense of humor, which makes him incredibly easy to connect with and work with. You will not regret reaching out to him!
~Rosie A.
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We found Rev. Jeff, or he found us, after a devastating loss. I'm not entirely sure how my family survived the initial aftermath, much of that time marred with blurry painful moments.
In all that chaos, Jeff appeared and stayed a fixture for me and my family. He picked up every call, answered every text and was a great source of strength for us. Understanding and empathetic, he sat with us sometimes in silence because the silence was what was needed in some of those moments.
It's hard for me to imagine having gone through it without him, a rock to steady ourselves on. Loving, patient and inspiring, he gave us strength in our absolute worst moments. I am eternally grateful to him and miss his presence and what that brought us through him.
~Jon L.
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During his time as our Minister in the Congregational Church of Glen Ridge NJ, Pastor Jeff guided us to dig deeper to bring our faith into our everyday lives.
His insights of the historical context and the underlying connecting themes in scripture brought a new awareness as we, as a church, struggled to live our faith.
We have been blessed to have had him guide us for the 5 years he was our Minister.
~Janet M.
Services
Spiritual Direction Sessions
(50 minute, private sessions conducted by phone, Zoom, or in person)
Rates:
1 session—$150
3 sessions—$375
7 sessions—$700
Contact me for a free, 30-minute introductory call
Ceremonies, Rituals, and Services
Do you need a ceremony, ritual, or service for a special occasion like a wedding, a birth or adoption, or a funeral? I've composed hundreds of personal services like these and I know you want to make sure that the words, the rituals, the music, and all the details of your service do justice to your special day or to the legacy of your loved one. Let me take on the task of weaving together a sacred, personalized service that will rise to the occasion.
Contact me for a free, 30-minute introductory call
Officiating
I've officiated more than 30 weddings and performed hundreds of funerals, memorial services, baptisms, and other ceremonies. I'd be honored to be there for you, your family, and friends for your special occasion.
Contact me for a free, 30-minute introductory call
“If we knew how to greet each moment as the manifestation of the divine will, we would find in it all the heart could desire. . .
The present moment is always filled with infinite treasures:
it contains more than you are capable of receiving. . .
The divine will is an abyss, of which the present moment is the entrance: plunge fearlessly therein and you will find it more boundless than your desire.”
~Jean Pierre de Caussade
Let the Journey Begin...
