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Dr. Rebecca Laird takes us on a journey through spiritual formation, direction, and the enduring legacy of Henri Nouwen in this deeply personal conversation. Drawing from her years as Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University, alongside decades in pastoral ministry and spiritual direction, Dr. Laird illuminates the pathways to a more meaningful spiritual life.
"Spirituality is usually about lived theology," she explains, distinguishing between abstract theological concepts and the concrete reality of how faith manifests in our daily existence. Through practices like the Prayer of Examen – taking time to notice where we experienced connection and disconnection throughout our day – we begin to recognize patterns and make intentional choices that invite greater meaning into our lives.
The conversation explores Henri Nouwen's remarkable journey from academic prominence at Yale and Harvard to finding his true home at L'Arche, a community centered around people with disabilities. Dr. Laird shares personal memories of Nouwen, revealing how his ability to articulate "the contours of the heart" created profound connections with readers from vastly different backgrounds through his unique pastoral writing style.
At the core of spiritual direction is the practice of accompaniment – walking alongside another person while helping them recognize what God might be doing that they're too close to see themselves. This requires genuine curiosity about people and attention to the "persistent questions" we all wrestle with: Who am I? Where do I belong? How can I serve? What is prayer?
For those seeking a more meaningful spiritual path, Dr. Laird emphasizes three essential disciplines: engagement with community, connection to scripture, and practices of the heart. "If you're seeking discernment but you're not doing those things," she cautions, "it's like saying you want to get stronger but have an aversion to lifting weights."
The conversation concludes with powerful reflections on building authentic community across socioeconomic divisions, moving beyond one-way service relationships toward mutual growth and dignity – a journey that begins when people discover they have meaningful gifts to share, regardless of their circumstances.