Life continually shows me the interrelatedness of creativity and spirituality. I hope the photographs and writings on Mildly Mystical encourage others to explore their own stirrings of the sacred and to find ways of expressing that holy movement in their lives.

I serve in two basic capacities—as a mentor to others in their spiritual lives and in their creative lives.

As a spiritual mentor I am in private practice as a spiritual director. I received my certification in the two-year training program in spiritual direction at the Haden Institute. The Enneagram is a powerful tool in spiritual direction, and I am a certified Enneagram teacher and practitioner in The Narrative Enneagram tradition. Working with the Enneagram deepens and strengthens my own spiritual life as well as my work with others. I love teaching and leading groups exploring the Enneagram. You can read more about my spiritual direction practice here. And here’s a reflection on Why I Work with the Enneagram.

Spiritual direction is about helping others become more aware of the inner wisdom available to them, and more attuned to how the Spirit is at work in their life. In times of transition or spiritual restlessness, spiritual direction offers a safe space for discernment, for exploring the guidance of the higher self, and for giving attention to the divine nudges toward health and wholeness.

Another aspect of my spiritual mentoring is helping to discern the meaning of dreams. I lead small groups in learning about the symbolic language of dreams and exploring the dreams of group members.

In regard to creative life, I am a writer and I serve as a mentor in the Carnegie Center Author Academy in Lexington, Kentucky. I also teach classes in creativity and creative writing.

These two realms of creativity and spirituality intersect in many ways. For example, in classes I offer on fostering creativity, participants experience a stronger connection with their creative energy by bringing a deeper spiritual awareness to everyday experience.

In addition to my certification in spiritual direction, I hold master’s degrees in theological studies (MA) from Lexington Theological Seminary, and creative writing (MFA) from Spalding University. Rearing two children, now grown, has been an education as well.

I have taught courses in World Religions and Women of the Bible at Midway College, and teach creative writing at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

I value the wisdom of the Christian tradition, which can be deeply life-giving despite its misuse by those in pursuit of personal and political power. I also respect the wisdom of other faith traditions. I understand the frustration of those who have given up on the institutional church, but I choose to remain in a particular church that’s open to the fresh breeze of the Spirit.

You can write to me at susan@mildlymystical.com

Thanks for visiting!