The Power of Story in Spiritual Direction
Stories shape our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the sacred. Myth and storytelling are not just relics of the past but living tools that offer seekers insight, healing, and empowerment. In spiritual direction, the art of storytelling can foster resilience, build community, and invite seekers into deeper engagement with their own spiritual journeys.
Storytelling and myth serve as sacred mirrors, reflecting the struggles, transformations, and wisdom embedded in human experience. Whether through ancient myths, personal narratives, or creative reimaginings, stories help seekers make meaning of their lives and find pathways forward. As spiritual caregivers, we can invite seekers to engage with stories in ways that illuminate their journeys and deepen their connection to the sacred.
See also The Heart of Spiritual Companioning: http://abeltaine.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-heart-of-spiritual-companioning.html
The Role of Myth in Spiritual Direction
"Myths are seldom simple, and never irresponsible." — Robert Graves
"Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth—penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words. Beyond images, beyond that bounding rim of the Buddhist Wheel of Becoming. Mythology pitches the mind beyond that rim, to what can be known but not told." — Joseph Campbell
Myth is a powerful language of the soul. It weaves together symbols, archetypes, and narratives that resonate with deep truths about human experience. In spiritual direction, myths can serve as:
Guides for meaning-making – Myths illuminate the human journey, providing frameworks for seekers to interpret their lives.
Invitations to transformation – Through myth, seekers can recognize their own initiations, trials, and returns.
Ways of encountering the Sacred – Myths carry the wisdom of generations, revealing spiritual truths through story.
Myth and the Hero’s Journey
Joseph Campbell popularized the "hero’s journey" as a universal narrative structure. This monomyth has influenced storytelling, movie-making, and spiritual reflection. While it offers a powerful framework, it often reflects a young adult, hunter-warrior model that may not resonate with all seekers. Maureen Murdock’s "heroine’s journey" provides an alternative, offering deeper insight into different genders, roles, and stages of life. Social location, including gender, age, and culture, significantly influences how a person’s spiritual journey unfolds. Seekers don't need to feel constrained by a monomyth. Invite yourself, and your seeker to explore and embrace their own mythic patterns, finding stories that resonate with their unique path.
Myth, Power, and Transformation
Starhawk has used traditional myths to explore power and justice. In Truth or Dare, she reinterprets the Inanna myth as a guide for transforming authority. In The Twelve Wild Swans, she offers a mythic structure for initiation into Reclaiming witchcraft. These reinterpretations show how myth can:
Support seekers in navigating change – Myths of descent and return can guide those in transition or crisis.
Challenge oppressive narratives – Retelling and reclaiming myths can offer alternative visions of power and healing.
Deepen connection to spiritual traditions – Many spiritual paths, from Pagan mythologies to Abrahamic sacred texts, use story as a vehicle for wisdom.
Midrash: A Jewish Approach to Sacred Storytelling
From Sacred Therapy by Estelle Frankel:
"The ancient sages taught that every story, word, letter, or nuance of Torah can be simultaneously understood on many different levels. They referred to this multiplicity of meanings by the Hebrew acronym PRDS (pronounced “pardes”), which implies an orchard: “P” (peh) stands for the pshat, or literal meaning of a text; “R” (resh) stands for remez, the symbolic meaning that is hinted at; “D” (dalet) stands for the drash, or those meanings that can be extracted through deeper analysis of language and word associations or through the imaginative process of the unconscious; and “S” (samech) stands for sod, the secret, mystical understanding of the text."
Midrash is the Jewish tradition of interpreting sacred stories by filling in gaps, offering creative reimaginings, and seeking deeper meanings. Many Hasidic masters engaged in midrash as a means of offering spiritual, emotional, and moral guidance to their followers.
For some delightful midrashim, see Does God Have a Big Toe?: Stories About Stories in the Bible by Marc Gellman.
Non-Western Storytelling
These traditions offer rich alternatives to Western models of story-sharing and story-receiving, emphasizing communal experience, ancestral wisdom, and non-linear approaches to insight.
Indigenous Storytelling
For many Indigenous cultures, storytelling is not just a way to share history but a spiritual practice. Stories carry wisdom across generations, teaching sacred values, identity, and relationship with the land and spirit. In Indigenous wisdom circles, elders or knowledge keepers may share a story, allowing the group to sit with its meaning before engaging in reflection. Unlike Western models of spiritual direction, which often emphasize verbal processing and individual insight, Indigenous storytelling invites a more intuitive and communal form of engagement.
• Practice: A group may listen to a traditional story without immediate discussion, allowing time for contemplation. Later, participants share how the story resonates with their lives, trusting that meaning will emerge organically.
• Example: In Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) traditions, the Great Law of Peace is passed down through storytelling, guiding communal decision-making and spiritual growth.
Sufi Stories and Reflection
Sufi traditions often use parables and poetry to convey deep spiritual truths. These stories—found in the works of Rumi, Attar, and other Sufi mystics—are designed to bypass the analytical mind and speak directly to the heart. A teacher or elder may recite a story, inviting the listener(s) to witness without rushing to interpretation. Over time, meaning unfolds differently for each seeker, mirroring the mystical path itself.
• Practice: A facilitator reads a Sufi story aloud, and the group sits in silent contemplation before sharing insights. Unlike structured discussion, the emphasis is on personal resonance rather than debate or analysis.
• Example: The story of Moses and the Shepherd (told by Rumi) challenges rigid religious views, illustrating that each person’s way of relating to the Divine is unique. This story can open space for deep reflection on the sacred diversity of spiritual experience.
Buddhist Koans and Meditative Dialogue
In Zen Buddhism, koans are paradoxical or enigmatic sayings designed to break habitual thinking and lead to direct insight. Koans are traditionally contemplated in solitude, but some Buddhist communities use them in group practice. Instead of striving for an intellectual answer, participants hold the koan in silence, allowing insights to surface naturally.
• Practice: An elder and student sit with a koan (such as “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”), allowing responses to arise spontaneously. Insights are shared without judgment, recognizing that wisdom often emerges through paradox.
• Example: The koan “What was your original face before you were born?” invites deep reflection on identity, selfhood, and interconnectedness.
Honoring Diverse Paths
These traditions remind us that spiritual wisdom is not always found through direct answers but through deep listening, shared reflection, and the patience to sit with mystery. Whether through Indigenous storytelling, Sufi parables, or Zen koans, non-Western traditions offer valuable ways to practice spiritual exploration beyond Western frameworks. Spiritual direction work can be enriched by incorporating these methods, allowing seekers to engage with sacred stories, symbols, and silence in new and meaningful ways.
Storytelling as a Tool for Resilience and Community
Oppression, trauma, and hardship often fragment a person’s sense of self and purpose. Storytelling has long been a means of reclaiming identity and agency. In spiritual direction, myth and personal narrative can help seekers:
Reframe their experiences – Drawing on myths of transformation, seekers can recognize their struggles as part of a larger, meaningful journey.
Access inner strength – Stories of perseverance remind seekers of their own resilience and capacity to endure.
Engage in self-reflection – Guided storytelling exercises allow seekers to explore their personal narratives with new perspectives.
Build community bonds – Shared storytelling fosters a sense of belonging and collective wisdom. Margaret Wheatley highlights how stories create connection and meaning within communities.
[See also this post on group spiritual direction work:https://abeltaine.blogspot.com/2025/03/group-spiritual-direction.html.]
Spiritual Autobiography: Naming Our Sacred Stories
A spiritual autobiography is a powerful way to reflect on one’s journey with the sacred. Writing one's story can be an act of meaning-making, healing, and discovery. As Karen Hering writes in Writing to Wake the Soul:
"If we are literate and enjoy the rights of free speech, it can be easy to forget that to tell one’s story is a basic human need, and to put it down in writing is a way of being seen that can have profound implications."
Telling our spiritual stories allows us to name our experiences, trace patterns of growth, and recognize the ways we have been shaped by faith, struggle, and transformation. As Nigerian writer Ben Okri puts it, "Change the stories individuals and nations live by and tell themselves, and you change the individuals and nations."
Writing a Spiritual Autobiography
Deborah Wilbrink provides a structured process for writing a spiritual autobiography, offering guidance on organizing memories, reflecting on key moments, and shaping a cohesive narrative. Writing prompts can also be helpful in beginning this process. Here are some prompts to explore.
Faith itself can be understood as a verb, an active engagement with the sacred. Wilfred Cantwell Smith suggests that the root of "believe" stems from an Old German word meaning "to hold dear." This suggests that faith is not static but an ongoing relationship of commitment, trust, and transformation. Hering invites writers to explore their faith through verbs—asking how faith moves, grows, and transforms in their lives. Life review is a form of spiritual autobiography. A reflective exercise might include filling in the phrase:
Faith ______ . . .
Using different action words, such as leaps, cradles, embraces, or unfolds, can reveal new insights into one’s spiritual path.
[See also this post on journaling in spiritual direction work: https://abeltaine.blogspot.com/2025/03/group-spiritual-direction.html.]
Inviting Story into a Spiritual Direction Session
Stories are a gateway to deeper understanding, healing, and transformation. In spiritual direction, we honor seekers' narratives as sacred, recognizing the wisdom held within their experiences. Inviting seekers to explore their lives through myth and story can offer profound insight—whether they find themselves wrestling with an angel, journeying through an underworld, or standing at the threshold of renewal.
See also this post on finding a spiritual companion: https://abeltaine.blogspot.com/2025/02/finding-right-spiritual-companion.html.
As a spiritual companion, you might ask: Is there a story that mirrors your experience? Perhaps the myth of Inanna’s descent resonates, or a tale from their own tradition holds meaning. Sharing stories must always be done with care and consent, ensuring that the seeker feels seen, supported, and free to interpret their journey in a way that feels true to them.
Just as we invite seekers to reflect on their stories, it is essential to notice our own. What narratives shape your understanding of accompaniment? What myths or personal experiences inform your presence as a guide? By attending to our own sacred stories, we cultivate the humility and openness necessary to travel alongside others with deep listening and compassion.For Further Reading
Books
• Marc Gellman, Does God Have a Big Toe?: Stories About Stories in the Bible A delightful collection of midrashic retellings of biblical stories, encouraging readers to explore multiple layers of meaning.
• Margaret Wheatley, Who Do We Choose to Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity Wheatley explores the role of storytelling in leadership, community resilience, and meaning-making.
• Karen Hering, Writing to Wake the Soul A reflective guide to spiritual autobiography and writing as a sacred practice.
• Estelle Frankel, Sacred Therapy: Jewish Wisdom for Healing the Soul Explores Hasidic storytelling and midrash as tools for healing, love, and spiritual connection.
• Deborah Wilbrink, Time to Tell: Your Personal & Family Story Offers a structured approach to writing a spiritual autobiography, including writing prompts and exercises.
• Maureen Murdock, The Heroine’s Journey: Woman’s Quest for Wholeness A feminist reframing of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, offering an alternative mythic structure for personal and spiritual transformation.
• Joseph Bruchac, Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values through Storytelling. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 2003. This book explores Indigenous storytelling traditions, wisdom-sharing, and communal reflection, offering insights relevant to group discernment and sacred listening practices.
Diane M. Mills, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning, and Joy. SkyLight Paths, 2015. Explores how to cultivate deeper presence and sacred listening, offering practical insights that apply to storytelling in spiritual direction.
Articles, Podcasts, and Online Resources
Margaret Wheatley on Listening as Healing Explores how deep listening and storytelling foster healing and community resilience. https://margaretwheatley.com/articles/listening-as-healing
Emily Esfahani Smith – The Two Kinds of Stories We Tell About Ourselves (TED Talk) Examines how the narratives we construct about our lives shape our identity and well-being. https://ideas.ted.com/the-two-kinds-of-stories-we-tell-about-ourselves
Arielle Domb – The Beautiful Truth: Stories About Ourselves A reflective piece on how we shape and reshape our personal stories. https://thebeautifultruth.org/life/identity/stories-ourselves
Deborah Wilbrink, Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography An introduction to the process of writing a spiritual autobiography. https://web.archive.org/web/20230927035700/https://www.perfectmemoirs.com/write-spiritual-autobiography-deborah-wilbrink/
Goodreads List: The Best Spiritual Autobiographies A curated list of memoirs and autobiographies that explore spiritual journeys. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4110.The_Best_Spiritual_Autobiographies
Writing Prompts for Spiritual Autobiography A helpful guide with prompts to start writing about one’s spiritual journey. https://networlding.com/write-spiritual-autobiography
Sacred Stories Podcast by Rabbi Jessica Marshall Features personal spiritual stories from various traditions. Recommended episodes: Lyssa’s story, Bronwyn’s story, Wil’s story. https://www.sacredstories.com/podcasts/
Maureen Murdock’s The Heroine’s Journey A detailed exploration of the feminine counterpart to Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. https://heroinejourneys.com/heroines-journey/
Quotes on Myth and Storytelling
Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955)
“Everything is the sum of the past… nothing is comprehensible except through its history. ‘Nature’ is the equivalent of ‘becoming’, self-creation: this is the view to which experience irresistibly leads us.”
President Barack Obama
“If you listen hard enough, everybody’s got a sacred story. . . How did they come to believe what they believe? And what are they trying to pass on to their children?. . . An organizing story, of who they are and what their place in the world is.”
Robert Graves
“Myths are seldom simple, and never irresponsible.”
Joseph Campbell
“Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth—penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words. Beyond images, beyond that bounding rim of the Buddhist Wheel of Becoming. Mythology pitches the mind beyond that rim, to what can be known but not told.”
Erich Fromm
“Both dreams and myths are important communications from ourselves to ourselves. If we do not understand the language in which they are written, we miss a great deal of what we know and tell ourselves in those hours when we are not busy manipulating the outside world.”
Claude Lévi-Strauss
“I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men’s minds without their being aware of the fact.”
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories… water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom. That is the work. The only work. ... In mythos and fairy tales, deities and other great spirits test the hearts of humans by showing up in various forms that disguise their divinity. They show up in robes, rags, silver sashes, or with muddy feet. They show up with skin dark as old wood, or in scales made of rose petal, as a frail child, as a lime-yellow old woman, as a man who cannot speak, or as an animal who can. The great powers are testing to see if humans have yet learned to recognize the greatness of soul in all its varying forms. ...Asking the proper question is the central action of transformation- in fairy tales, in analysis, and in individuation. The key question causes germination of consciousness. The properly shaped question always emanates from an essential curiosity about what stands behind. Questions are the keys that cause the secret doors of the psyche to swing open."
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