Spheres in Motion

Through intentional spiritual companionship, we may just discover that our deepest, inherent desires to know, and be known, both generate and reveal our spiritual and relational understanding of who G-d is, who we are in our very created-ness, and how we are called to be in relationship with the Divine and others.

Using our holy imagination, we can conceptualize a model of how we are magnetically pulled into life-giving relationship with the Communal Loving One, while concomitantly pushed to share that same energizing love with others. What could this simultaneous receiving and releasing look like rippling throughout all our spheres of influence? If we begin with a two-dimensional representation, this paradigm of spiritual longing can be thought of as a bull’s eye, a cross section of a tree, or even the surface of pond as a pebble is thrown in the water, with concentric rings of movement that ripple out from the center. However, our reality is not two-dimensional, is it? Perhaps a better model would be a donut, inner tube, or even a galaxy with a gravitational center that sustains the rotation of energy through the entire system in concentric circles.

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Geometrically speaking, a donut shape is called a torus. To conceptualize this spiritual ecosystem in three-dimensions, we may imagine draping a bull’s-eye over the surface of an inner tube, curving it around and over until it meets itself back where it began. Or we can imagine the surface of the pond wrapping around a donut like sugar glaze, covering the entire surface of the donut ring. With this image in mind, we can visualize the torus shape as a 3-D replica of our two-dimensional perception of concentric rings surrounding a center.  Unlike the two-dimensional bull’s-eye model, the center in this torus model is not actually a part of the surface of the torus. Instead, the center is a space differentiated from the geometric shape. In fact, the space in the middle of the torus donut hole is the same space that surrounds the donut shape. The space in the center of our torus model is connected to and a part of the space that encapsulates this entire spiritual ecosystem. Therefore, the space in the center, by also enveloping the torus, helps to define the shape, giving it definition.

Naturally, our spiritual ecology of relationships is not static, nor perpetually frozen in place. Remember, the only thing constant within an ecosystem is change! As a model, the torus is just a moment captured in a dynamic ecosystem of relating. How can we understand this torus model as it lives, moves, and has its being - as it orbits around the center of all desiring to know, and be known, through spheres of influence? Imagine, now, that the torus is in motion; the draped bull’s-eye glaze revolves energetically from the center of the donut, outward to its edge before proceeding over the edge of the torus shape and back under along the surface to its center. In motion, the surface of the torus or donut is constantly moving away from and back to the center simultaneously. With each rotation, the individual surface rings or spheres brush up against the center before moving away from it, only to return again on the underside of the model. The concentric rings, conveying along the surface with every revolution, interact with the center and the outer space surrounding the torus, brushing up along side of it, but never intersecting it. 

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Thinking mathematically, the center space is the axis or pole around which the curved torus is revolving; the indefinite center is tangent to the curve of the surface of the model. In motion, this donut template is known as a horn torus. The surface of this model in motion is an apt representation of our spiritual ecology of relating with G-d and each other. 

Understanding the Cosmic Holy as the innermost location, as well as the outer dark matter which gives the horn torus model it's shape and form, we now recognize that regardless of which sphere of influence we self-identify in any given moment within our spiritual ecosystem, the Divine is present. Whether we are relating within a sphere that is small and intimate to the sacred center or further beyond in our largest sphere of influence among aliens and strangers, the sacrosanct locus of G-d is present and active. 

- excepted and adapted from "Horn Torus Model" in A Spiritual Ecology of Christian Desire by Mary-Carolyn M. Allport, April 01, 2022.

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is a covenant companionship relationship focused on listening to the Holy in our life. With a trained guide, we can explore who G-d is, who we are, and how we want to be in relationship with G-d and others. In Spiritual Direction, we have a committed companion as a voice crying out in the wilderness of our daily lives to prepare the way for our true Director. The Spirit is the real Spiritual Director; spiritual companions escort us on our homecoming. 

Spiritual Direction is a bespoke process of listening and responding to G-d by recognizing and pondering the works of the Divine already present in our life and relationships. With a trusted companion, Spiritual Direction offers us a time and space to stop, breathe, listen, reflect, discern and discover the movement of the Holy Spirit in our everyday interactions. Rather than just reacting to the circumstances of our life, we have the option, through Spiritual Direction, to respond to G-d’s invitation to live, move, and have our being in relationship with the Holy One.

Spiritual Direction conversations are confidential and shaped by covenant promises agreed upon at the beginning of the direction relationship. The length and duration of the relationship are determined by the one seeking spiritual companionship (sometimes referred to as a directee), but most sessions occur once a month for about an hour. The Spiritual Direction process is gradual, taking commitment and patience (like all successful relationships) for the fruit of the Spirit to sweeten.

Each Spiritual Direction conversation prayerfully considers what seems to have the most meaning at the time in the life of the directee. It could be exploring critical life issues, the directee's spirituality, or different meditation practices. It could be discerning a life choice or the significance of dreams or desires. It could be asking how to have a more fulfilling relationship with G-d. A trained facilitator of these conversations holds a brave space for open & honest questions leading to courageous conversations and insights. The director honors the directee through deep, attentive listening and supportive presence and prayer, along with promptings for further consideration.

Spiritual Direction is not counseling and spiritual companions are not trained therapists. Counseling, in general, attempts to name problems in your life and offer steps to solutions for these issues. Spiritual Direction does not give resolutions or answers to life’s challenges. Spiritual Direction does not attempt to solve emotional or psychological hardships. Instead, it offers contemplative companionship and intentional listening to how the Holy One is already guiding us through our hardships and relationships. Christian counseling may offer to be with us for G-d’s sake, but Spiritual Direction will be with G-d AND us for our sake. With a committed spiritual companion, we have the opportunity to communicate and connect with the Divine in a more meaningful and satisfying way.

Spiritual Direction is for anybody at anytime! It may not be for everyone all the time. Depending on each person's own spiritual becoming, Spiritual Direction may offer just the right space needed to pay attention to the movement of the Spirit in your life. This season in your spirituality, faith journey, or prayer life may be ripe right now for spiritual companionship. It can offer you support in discovering what you desire most in your life, as well as encourage you to ask honest questions without judgement. Spiritual Direction is for you if you’ve ever asked yourself...

Who is G-d?
Where is G-d when I need G-d most?
Who am I?
What is my identity vs. my biography?
What are my deepest desires?
What is my purpose?
What am I called to in this life?
What are my gifts?
How can I discern my giftedness?
How can I grow in my faith?
How can I have a closer relationship with the Holy?  

Interested in Spiritual Direction? Contact Carrie M. Allport at smallspherespirituality@gmail.com to begin an easy, free, and low risk conversation to explore if Spiritual Direction is right for you right now.

About Small Sphere Spirituality

Small Sphere Spirituality is a ministry of spiritual care by Carrie M. Allport. 

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We all have our spheres of influence. However, our most significant spheres of influence may not always be the largest ones. It is perhaps in our smallest spheres of influence, the most intimate relationships we participate in regularly, that we have the most outstanding and lasting effect. Our covenantal partnerships, children, and/or familial relationships that constitute our households all make up small spheres of relationships with the potential for the greatest influence in our lives and those we love. 

Broadly understood, spirituality is our orientation toward what, outside ourselves, we find most intrinsically important in life and how we demonstrate that individually and with others. Another way of expressing this, according to Christian sexual ethicist James B. Nelson, is that spirituality is "the response of our whole beings to what we perceive to be the sacred." Our deepest desires to be known and to know, to be loved and to love, and to be connected authentically to something bigger and beyond ourselves, drive us into relationships with the Other and others. When we experience the fulfillment of our most basic need for connection within these relationships (that need to not to be isolated or alone) we flourish - physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally - and so do others in our spheres of influence. 

By focusing first on an authentic, loving relationship with that which we believe to be the source of Ultimate Influence in our lives, that which is the most sacred and set apart, yet simultaneously the most intimate and present (some call this source G-d or Christ or the Spirit or Higher Power or any number of names based on familial influence, faith formation, or personal experience) - when we focus our attention on this Source first - not only can we personally thrive, but overflow with loving, life-giving influence on the thriving of others.  

This overflow from the Source communicates through us, shaping our relationships with our people so that they may flourish too! When our beloved ones in our small sphere prosper, they in turn overflow with loving, life-giving influence to the people in their spheres of influence, so that their neighbors and co-workers may blossom. These neighbors and friends then share loving-kindness throughout their own spheres of influence. And so on and so forth, until the bounty of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), found in our own joy-filled life, is shared. This overflowing multiplies out in concentric circles throughout numerous other spheres of influence. It can be imagined as the ripples on a pond, or even the movement of a sacred current through our relationships and interactions.

The greatest commandments challenge all of us to love G-d and to love others as we want to be loved. This challenge seems to be found in most faith traditions, doesn't it? Thus, the desires we have for ourselves are also the desires we are challenged to have for all others, regardless of which sphere of influence our neighbors reside. 

Through spiritual companionship, as found in Spiritual Direction relationships, we have the opportunity to deepen our connection with the Divine Lover, experience  our own belovedness, and equip ourselves to love others (even imperfectly) throughout our spheres of influence. By focusing on our smallest spheres of influence first, we have the challenge and the privilege of discovering what it means to love with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The spiritual significance this will have on our spheres of influence can be likened to the ecological power of a mustard seed, or throwing mountains into the sea, or maybe even breathing underwater. 

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Carrie M. Allport is a beloved child of G-d with a small sphere of influence. She is a covenant partner, mother of two, lifelong student, budding gardener, and spiritual companion to those seeking to connect with their Ultimate Influence, as they know that Source. Although steeped in the Anglican tradition as a life-long participant in Episcopal worshipping communities, she identifies as part of a lost generation in the institutional church. Our current re-formational epoch continues to prompt the ongoing de-construction and re-construction of her faith, which she approaches, with the help of the Holy Spirit, with awe and wonder. 

Raised in the Bible Belt, her spiritual formation is rooted in Jewish and Christian scripture, but she recognizes the movement of the Holy Spirit across faith traditions and diverse spiritual practices. Carrie has a special interest in the intersection of spirituality and sexuality, as well as how we understand and experience that in our bodies, relationships, and daily experience. She shares spiritual direction with individuals and groups, and has a tender spot for offering spiritual companionships with covenant partners. Additionally, she is passionate about spiritual care for clergy households. 

She earned her Master in Theological Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary and Master in Arts focused in Spiritual Direction from General Theological Seminary. As part of a clergy household, she is answering her call to the priesthood of all believers one day at a time. 

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smallspherespirituality@gmail.com