Amamchara

Do you have an Amamchara?  The celtic word for 'soul friend' or spiritual director is Amamchara.  St. Brigid, a 6th century saint said, 'A person without a soul friend is like a body without a head.'

A soul friend provides: sanctuary, a safe place to reveal, to ponder, to learn and confess so that the words may be heard in the audible way - making us more aware of our sins and accountibility.

In today's society, we lack safe places and we often grow restless in our spirits. We are afraid to voice our honest questions because of fear of condemnation.  An amamchara can help.

Tracy Balzer in Thin Places, tells the story of a friend who spoke to her students about 'the power of the secret life and the need to break the secret.' Do you have a secret life - is there something you engage in that you fear others will discover?

The amamchara asks questions and listens well.  In essence, they enable a person to hear from God, listen to God, and walk the life of faith better. 

It is not a good thing to be your own guide...