One Thing to Know About Me
An updated version of this article appears here: https://sharonhines.substack.com/p/what-is-listening-for-guidance
An updated version of this article appears here:
https://sharonhines.substack.com/p/what-is-listening-for-guidance
Before you read anything else of mine, you need to know this one thing. I practice a spiritual discipline I originally called Spiritual Journaling, but now call Listening for Guidance. Basically, I have written conversations with God.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks for helping me keep my writing free for all readers!
Origins of Listening for Guidance
Right away, you might be wondering Why I have never heard of this before? and Is she making this up?
So, here’s a bit of backstory to the practice.
Author Julia Cameron and her friends also practice this discipline. She talked about it a bit in The Artist's Way (1992) and The Listening Path (2021). Her latest book, Living the Artist's Way (2024), really zeroes in on the practice.
Author Janet Connor teaches basically the same practice in Writing Down Your Soul (2022). Cameron sort-of pointed Connor in the right direction, who then developed a practice of her own.
Mark Virkler has been teaching and writing about the practice since the 1980s. He (and many others) call the practice Two-Way Prayer. Virkler, a prolific author and YouTuber who claims over a million students, teaches from a firmly Christian perspective. But from what I can tell, anyone can engage in the practice, really.
The earliest mention I’ve found is a 1930s book about the Oxford Group, a non-denominational Christian movement that would meet in small gatherings, lead one another to God, and share their stories. If you’re interested in learning more, see For Sinners Only, by A.J. Russell.
The Group attracted primarily alcoholics in need of recovery. In fact, the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous were originally members. The Oxford Group also called it Two-Way Prayer. AA codified the practice as one of their Twelve Steps.
Although AA has since modified the practice to be more inclusive, millions of people know about this path to seeking guidance.
My Start with Listening for Guidance
I had never heard of this practice when I first learned about it at a 1990 Women's Retreat offered by my church, Community of Christ. That was two years before Cameron’s The Artist's Way appeared.
My retreat teacher, Gail, referenced a book called How to Keep a Spiritual Journal by Ronald Klug (1982). (Klug sort-of talks about listening for guidance, but not by name, and you have to look hard.)
Anyway, so now you know the practice has a history, and a respected following.
Here’s a quick summary of how it works.
How to Listen for Guidance
Basically, Listening for Guidance (or Writing Down Your Soul, or Two-Way Prayer) is accomplished in three steps:
Write a letter to God. (It’s best to use a writing implement rather than a keyboard.) In that letter, ask at least one question.
Listen for whatever words, or spontaneous thoughts, come into your head.
Write them down as they come to you.
Remember, millions of people are doing this. Some are doing it every day.
Here’s some of what you can expect. Expect the messages to be benevolent. You can ask any question and expect good guidance, good things to think about. You should not expect to be commanded to do something, or be led in a direction that’s hurtful.
God won't impinge on your free will either. God won't set forth edicts. God may say something rather forcefully, but it is always up to you to make the final decision, and to take action, or not.
The Source of Guidance
Where do these words come from? In my progressive Christian worldview, they come from God. My understanding of God is as creator of the universe, ultimate source, higher/highest power, pure energy, in and through all things.
You may have a different understanding. You may see these words as coming from your intuition, as originating with your deepest, most authentic self. You’ll have your own names for that source of wisdom.
I'm okay with all of that.
My Practice of Listening for Guidance
I've been availing myself of Guidance since I first learned about it. I have followed that guidance in all major life decisions, including career, housing, parenting, relationships, ministry, health, continuing education, and personal development.
Up until now, I have kept this practice a closely guarded secret.
As you read my posts, you'll find me referencing entries in my spiritual journal (where I write the guidance), or identifying a statement as something “God told me.”
When I quote directly from Guidance, I’ll use a block quote.
I won’t talk about Guidance in every post, but it will come up now and again. I just wanted to prepare you by introducing the topic right up front.
Try It. You Might Like It.
Now that you know about Listening for Guidance, consider yourself invited to try it out.
Check out some of the resources I linked to earlier.
Let me know what you think, and if you’re tried it. Two requests only: stay open-minded, and please, be nice.