“In a culture seeking measured outcomes, one of the many gifts of this work is that the only expected outcome from spiritual direction is that the Holy Spirit will show up and reveal something new about self, God and/or the world.

Also known as holy listening and sacred companioning, spiritual direction is simply a practice by which a trained spiritual guide (director) sits with a pilgrim (directee) listening for the movement of the Holy Spirit.”

~ Emily

Emily Turner Watson is a trained spiritual director and writer in Dallas, Texas. With both her background in journalism and training in spiritual direction, Emily is a compassionate listener. She asks intuitive questions, gently companioning with those she works with to live into their true selves. Through spiritual direction and reliance on the Holy Spirit, directees are given space to explore and notice God at work in their life. Emily believes our truest and deepest desires represent divine wiring and when cultivated provide an invitation to live beyond our ego structures into a place of peace, love and joy.

In her article about Spiritual Direction, Finding Freedom in a Bound World, Emily shares: “As a regular participant in spiritual direction, I’m struck that each session brings a new sense of freedom. Either freedom in understanding myself and how I see the world, or sometimes the freedom to know that it is okay not to feel okay.”

Part of her ministry is to facilitate spiritual and emotional healing through listening, loving presence, prayer, and writing.

Email Emily to Schedule a Session

Meditations

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Finding hope in the darkness: A guided meditation and advent reflection

Since 2020, I have resurrected the lighting of my Advent candle tradition. I now gather items from my home to create and Advent altar of sorts. Peace comes to me easily during this process as I reflect on God’s faithfulness in my life and spend time meditating and praying through and with the Christmas story as it relates to my own journey.

I invite you to join me in this life-giving spiritual practice.

Best part of me

We sat cross-legged across from each other on the astroturf of my parent’s backyard. Her face seemed a bit drawn, less bright than usual. She was normally talkative or silly or inquisitive. Something told me to let the silence connect us.

~ An excerpt from an essay on a day with my niece and a loving kindness meditation towards self

Holy, Holy, Holy: The Experience Circle invites us to more

The Experience Circle is a tool and way of thinking that encourages us to widen our perspective, looking for the ways we hear, feel, see, taste, touch and notice the Divine in all areas of our life. Enjoy this meditation as a solo prayer practice or in 1:1 or group spiritual directions sessions.

Who does God say you are?

This is a meditation that can be used in small groups, in worship service, 1:1 or alone in prayer. Allow 15 - 20 minutes to read, pause and reflect. Notice root causes to physical symptoms keeping you in negative cycles of living.

I Am Who I Am

What and who are your taskmasters? Is it the worry that consumes you not knowing what tomorrow or even the next six months will bring? Is it a pile of bills? Is it the tedious online learning that now serves as school? Is it the repetitive news of police brutality that grieves your spirit over and over and over? The vile and lewd comments spewed back and forth between political parties?

A Peaceful Rhythm in the Midst of Disruption: Growing a Rule for Life

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of home, it was the winter of despair.”

These words from Charles Dickens are the introduction to his classic novel Tale of Two Cities.

Not until now have they resonated so deeply.

I Will Light the Candles This Christmas

The idea of sitting at my kitchen table each day around the wreath to make space, to prepare the way – it fills me with warmth, with familiarity of good times past and with hope.

Thy Perfect Light

We are in the middle of that strange week – the last week of the year. That odd bit of time sandwiched in between Christmas and New Year’s. Many of us have celebrated with meals, worship services, presents, maybe a few “Christmases” where we gather with one side of the family and then the next. We are full, maybe a little “hungover” from the surge of delight, excitement and expectancy that leads up to the holidays and Christmas.

Without Striving

This Psalm is simple yet it evokes a sense of peace in my soul. It causes me to pause and to reflect on what I have received from God. Without striving, without finagling, the Holy One has given me, given us, so much. Sometimes I notice, sometimes I don't.

Testimonials

Emily Turner is passionate about accompanying spiritual friends to a deeper relationship with God. Her welcoming, caring, compassionate spirit creates warm and inviting space for matters of the heart to emerge. As one who values the integration of Spirit-led living in each moment of the day, Emily walks with spiritual friends to discover a grounded and centered life in the Holy.

- The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, Spiritual Director and Supervisor & Adjunct Faculty Perkins Certificate in Spiritual Direction

Emily's uniquely intuitive connections with the Spirit offer me new and inspired images based on my dreams. She has often spoken with deeply intuitive insights about me, my life, and my history, for which she had no prior knowledge. These are the "perfect" insights and perspectives I needed to hear, see, and know from the dream which I would have completely missed without her assistance. - Lee Jarrell

If you are wondering what the art and practice of spiritual direction offer to the director or the directee, I strongly encourage you to read Emily’s wonderful article Spiritual Direction: Finding Freedom in a Bound World. In it, Emily offers a very personal account of how working with a spiritual director has impacted her understanding of the world and herself. She does a fantastic job of clearly explaining the practice and principles of this particular form of ministry. The piece offers insight to all — regardless of your level of knowledge on the subject, revealing her passion for the work and her dedication to the shared journey that comes from it.

- Mary Roberts, event and communications manager, Office of External Programs, Perkins School of Theology and Southern Methodist University

“Emily is a spiritual director whom you can trust and confide in without reserve. Her caring and compassionate heart, and her creative, practical wisdom are gifts she brings as she accompanies you in your journey to a full life in God. With her, you know that you are in good hands, every step along the way.”

- Ruben L. F. Habito
Director of Spiritual Formation, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

“Meeting with Emily in spiritual direction has been very refreshing in my prayer life. She thinks outside of the box by using imagery, nature walks, prayers, and intuitive questions that invite freedom from what binds me. She is very thoughtful, supportive, fun, and safe in vulnerability. I have benefitted from knowing her!”

- Lauren, directee

“Spiritual direction filled a hole that I didn't know I had.
Emily is such a bright light and time spent together has become very cherished.”

- Kay, directee

A great spiritual director helps you make sense of your own story and how God is in the midst of your life. As a writer and listener Emily has a gift to bring stories to life!

Aaron Manes | Spiritual Director (www.aaronmanes.com)

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