Welcome to Module 26! In this module, we will discuss ethics and character in the practice of spiritual guidance. One of the main entry points into this discussion is inspired by Dr. Lisa Fullam, associate professor of moral theology, who writes about (and practices) virtue ethics. She writes, “Most of the time, when we think of ethics, we think of judging actions right or wrong. Virtue ethics starts instead with the insight that our actions, by and large, are not isolated decisions that we make, but arise from our character, the deeper complement of typical patterns of behavior that we exhibit, and the values that we hold. These character traits are not static, but are shaped and re-shaped continually by the actions we choose, and our reflection on those actions and their meaning in our lives. In an ethics of virtue, questions about actions find their moral valence in light of their effect on character. You may download Module 26 here: ![]()
Share and ConnectOnce you leave a comment or question, be sure to put a check mark in the box that says you wish to be notified of responses. When someone comments on the module, you will receive notification of their response in your e-mail inbox. We will be checking in regularly to address comments. Please try to post module-based questions here, rather than sending us a separate e-mail. It will be easier to keep Q & A in one place, so everyone benefits. Of course, if you have a question of a more personal nature, please e-mail us. We hope you will check in once each week to let us know how you are doing and to connect with your classmates. Let the conversation begin! We welcome your thoughts and look forward to chatting it up with you! “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
Maya Angelou
9 Comments
Jeffrey Phillips
9/30/2018 07:26:35 pm
RQ (the RQ references "Blythe," but I have not read anything by her yet, so my reflections are based on the SDI Guidelines and my own experience).
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Jan
10/2/2018 09:32:34 pm
Jeffrey, I appreciate you teasing these guidelines out. I especially appreciate the comments on hugging. I do believe we should not assume anyone wants to be hugged. This would be a good question to ask. It is also prudent to look at body language, yes? That will tell us a lot. (Likely nay...) As a woman, I am very cautious about hugging male seekers. Generally, I do not. Just safer that way.
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Jeffrey Phillips
9/30/2018 08:10:55 pm
RQ 2 (virtue ethics). This was an awesome article that pointed back to the inner life of the practitioner as the source of ethics, rather than arbitrary lists of rules based on someone else's (or society's) standards of "right" and wrong." The "internal moral compass" is what needs awareness and intentional development as we slog our way through ethical matters rather than memorizing and following rules. Like everything else in ministry or spiritual guidance, what matters is what is already within us and how attentive we are to it. When presented with a tough ethical dilemma that could be decided wither way, or a "borderline" boundary decision, looking to the books will only be partially helpful. What matters is that we consult our own values and principles, and ask the questions suggested by Fullam: How will this or that decision extend virtue and justice as we understand them based on our own internal scales of right and wrong? And, most interesting, will a certain decision help us build our moral character or degrade our moral character?
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Jeanette
10/3/2018 11:15:08 am
I so appreciate how you brought forth the example of vices/virtues and middle ground. Virtue ethics says that practices form habits - if I want to be compassionate, I practice compassion. So I nourish compassion until it's a habit, until there are no shoulds, but I act with compassion because it is just who I am.
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Jeffrey Phillips
10/6/2018 11:51:33 am
RQ (Boundary Videos).
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Jeffrey Phillips
10/6/2018 11:59:42 am
RQ (Boundary Videos)
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Jeffrey Phillips
10/6/2018 12:59:47 pm
RQ (Projection, Transference, and Counter-transference).
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Barbara
10/7/2018 02:25:13 pm
As I read/watch all these important teachings/reminders about boundaries and ethics, I am so grateful for the ways we have been taught in our program. The attention to our own internal and external responses in our sessions, the tools to help us ground again if we are lost in our own feelings/ thoughts/fantasies are so valuable. I feel well supported in have information and tools to minimize the risk of getting involved in unethical or potentially damaging relationships with seekers. That said, I am probably most susceptible to being overinvested in the outcomes or progress of my seekers' lives. And I can go back to my resting place, and to my supervisor when that happens! Speaking of which....I can't believe that my current supervisory relationship ends in January! Then what?!
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Jeanette
10/8/2018 09:47:39 am
Thanks, Barbara. What happens after January is a good question! We will be talking about that in the next months. One thing for certain is we highly encourage everyone to join a monthly peer group. Our cohort could be the start of one, or you could join peer groups in your geographical area, or you could join an online one.
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