Spiritual Direction is mostly about discernment: “Should I say something? Should I wait?”

Improv is mostly about spontaneous action: “Don’t think about it! Go!”

Despite this fundamental difference, improv and spiritual direction share qualities integral to each form and practice: listening, trust, patience, participation, openness, and presence. This workshop for spiritual directors will explore these qualities through writing, body prayer, improvisation exercises, and paired and group conversations, allowing spiritual directors to hone their listening skills, engage their spontaneity muscle, and deepen their trust in the unknown.

Our time together will include:

• Exploring what improv is (unplanned, unscripted action) and is not (a performance on a stage where you are the centre of attention) and how it relates to spiritual direction
• Addressing fears and affirming trust
• Playing improv games, laughing and having fun!
• Embracing failure and imperfection
• Observing through direct practice how spiritual direction and improv merge and collide
• A delicious lunch from renowned Loyola House kitchen

Please note that this workshop is for spiritual directors only.

About the Facilitator

After a successful career as a theatre artist and filmmaker, Celia McBride began her practice of spiritual direction, accompanying others on their spiritual journeys, developing and leading retreats, and providing spiritual care in long-term care homes. She now brings her experience of writing, directing, producing and performing to her spiritual leadership, encouraging others to trust in their innate creativity. For more, please visit celiamcbride.com