Finding my Way as a Spiritual Director | An SGM Conversation with Nicky Browne
An SGM Interview with Nicky Browne
Finding my Way as a Spiritual Director
Nicky Browne is a spiritual director with a background in nursing. She is also an artist, creating art inspired by the natural world and enjoys gardening and walking her dog, Asha, on the local beach and bush tracks. Married to Simon, she is a proud Mum to three young adults. In this blog post, Kathryn Overall-Cass has a conversation with Nicky about her formation journey in the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme and finding her way as a spiritual director.
Nicky, what drew you to becoming a spiritual director?
I began my formation as a spiritual director at a time of transition, midlife, children growing up and finding their wings, and a faith transition, which included leaving the faith community I had been a part of for 20 years.
I was wondering what was next in my life, how I wanted to contribute, and how to pull the threads of my life experiences into something of value. I originally trained and worked as a nurse, and in the various roles I have had, it is the walking alongside and companioning that I resonate with.
I had also recently discovered spiritual direction for myself and found it to be such a place of hope and support as I moved through this time.
The greatest gift I received in spiritual direction was to be heard and witnessed after being in spaces where my voice, spirituality and way of being were eroded and silenced.
I experienced in an embodied and full way the power of being companioned and walked alongside with a beautiful spiritual director, who was not about fixing or ‘directing’ but about holding sacred space for me to be heard in a fully accepting, non-judgmental way.
I wanted to be able to walk with others in this way.
When you reflect on your experience of SGM’s Spiritual Director’s Formation Programme, what stands out to you?
When I was struggling to process and navigate my experience of questioning, doubting and struggling with so many questions in my faith, I read a poem by 13th century Sufi poet, Rumi.
The first two lines of the poem are:
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
There is a field, I’ll meet you there
The formation programme became the field for me, a place where I could explore and was held while wrestling deep unanswerable questions.
There was space for the full acceptance of the human experience. I was able to follow the invitation to ‘BE Formed’. I also have lifelong friendships with those I trained with.
I was held as I explored a God who is greater than I ever imagined, who was not bound by rules and regulations. I was able to embrace uncertainty and mystery.
What happened after your completed the formation programme?
The first six months, it felt lonely and finding directees was a slow process. During that time, I doubted if this was something I wanted to continue with.
I was fortunate to be asked to be on the team of spiritual directors who host retreat days at the Saint Francis Retreat Centre in Tamaki Makaurau. I was able to work with and be supported by experienced spiritual directors and to help lead and offer spiritual direction on those days.
The days are ecunemical and have a wide range of people attend.
I also sought out help to set up a website (www.nickybrowne.co.nz) where people could contact me for spiritual direction. I have learnt to trust the Spirit’s leading through this, while taking the necessary steps to be professional and engage in professional development.
I trust that, as the Spirit led me to the practice of spiritual direction, others will discover and be led to spiritual direction - and to me as a spiritual director, if that is right for them.
What are you enjoying about practising as a spiritual director?
I love listening and companioning, it is a huge privilege and my own faith has grown immensely through this.
I so often sit in awe as the Holy Spirit speaks into the space and to the directee.
Sharing silence and listening together has been something I was initially afraid of but now embrace. Along with being fully present to the directee and all that the directee brings into the room.
How have you grown in your first few years?
I am discovering my own voice as a spiritual director and what it is that I am able to offer. I am learning again and again that less is more. I am trusting the space and trusting the directee's intuition and discernment.
Where do you find support and connection as a spiritual director?
Support and connection come from a variety of soruces.
My work as part of the Spiritual Direction Ministry team at The Friary.
Further education and courses offered locally and through Spiritual Directors International.
Attending retreats online and in person.
My own spiritual director and my wonderfully supportive supervisor.
What’s ahead for you?
After reading Huia Come Home by Jay Ruka as part of an assignment for the formation programme, I felt the invitation to rewild my faith by exploring how nature connects us with the Sacred. I have been following this invitation since then. As part of this journey, I discovered Victoria Loorz’s book, ‘Church of the Wild’, and it has led me to the Seminary of the Wild Earth.
I have completed Year One of the Seminary of the Wild and have enrolled in Year Two of their programme. It is an experiential programme where we get to meet God through the Holy Wild and creativity. Year Two focuses on ways of offering eco-spiritual direction to others. I am also hoping to offer workshops/retreats that combine spiritual practices, creativity and connection to the Holy Wild.
How can people get in touch with you?
People are welcome to contact me via my website www.nickybrowne.co.nz.
