The untold story behind modern spiritual direction
In The Making of Modern Spiritual Direction, Paul Burgmayer pulls back the curtain on a quiet revolution that reshaped one of the most intimate practices of the spiritual life.
What emerges is a story few have told: spiritual direction as we know it is largely a 20th-century creation—forged in the tension between tradition and innovation, theology and psychology, authority and personal experience.
Drawing on a decade of research, rare archival discoveries, and interviews with key voices, Burgmayer introduces the pioneers who reimagined spiritual direction—and asks what their legacy means for us now.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- The surprising origins of modern spiritual direction training programs
- The “hidden heroes” who shaped today’s practices—and why they matter
- How psychology transformed (and sometimes challenged) spiritual guidance
- Why spiritual direction looks so different across traditions
- The ongoing tension between guidance, companionship, and authority
- What the future of spiritual direction may demand from today’s practitioners
If you are a spiritual director, clergy member, seminarian, or serious seeker, this book will challenge your assumptions, deepen your practice, and expand your understanding of what spiritual direction can be.