Welcome to
The SGTI BLOG
How Do You See Yourself?
We, as instructors, as well as our students, may describe ourselves in a multitude of ways. All ways are honored here.
The Mandala and Nature Immersion
Working with our spiritual styles helps us to relate to life’s grand questions in ways that nurture and support us.
The Next Thing in Line to be Loved
At SGTI, we encourage our students to express their learning in creative ways. Today, we gladly offer this series of poems by one of our current students, Katie Spero.
Nature Immersion
In the experience/meditation, we take in nature through the senses…We stimulate and engage our senses by being awake and alert to what we see, smel, taste, and feel.
Keep Your Heart Open to Yourself in Challenging Times
At times we may feel less than kindly toward ourselves— self-critical, judgmental, or disappointed.
Emotions within a Spiritual Guidance Session
Our hope as spiritual companions is to promote our shared humanity in a context of trust and care.
Compassionate Communal Care in the Time of Covid
Our inner wisdom knows, instinctively, that other people are the place to go for help and holding, for grieving, for hope.
Every One is Beloved
An SGTI alum writes about how to practice the presence of love.
Should You Use Zoom or Phone When Meeting With a Seeker?
What are ways that promote deeper connection, integrity, and attention, and which ways might hinder deeper connection?
Healing Words and Prayers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Prayers for healing across traditions
Ritual Blessing for Washing Your Hands
A beautiful Jewish blessing about hand washing
What Is Spiritual Guidance? Students' Views
What do students of SGTI say spiritual direction is?
Listening to Myself Telling My Story
At the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute, we value and celebrate the power of story.
Unmasked
Little boy. Knees so busy under your school khakis. Your dried millet stalk prods an old bicycle tire, bare of tread, along a rocky footpath…
On Being a Pilgrim
Last year, my partner and I became “dual pilgrims” after walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Kumano Kodo in Japan.
A Warm Welcome to Our Emerging Spiritual Guides
Eleven individuals joined us in Chicago for a sumptuous week of learning and day pilgrimages to various holy houses.
Attending and Facilitating Inter-Religious Gatherings
Learn about three different ways to go about growing together as one interconnected community.
Perennial Wisdom Weekly
At SGTI—we sift and sort to unearth universal wisdom that can benefit us all.
Expanding Our Offerings, Stepping Into the Circle of Love
The world is in such great need of healing and many of its citizens are ailing, feeling spiritually uncertain, isolated or unsupported.
What Goes on As I Listen
One of the ways we practice deepening our listening is to reflect on how we are doing with our own listening in various contexts.