“The Bristlecone Pines are a small group of pine trees that are thought to be one of the oldest known living organisms. . . They grow in isolated groves at and just below the tree line. . .  Because the wood is resinous, it is resistant to the invasion by insects, fungi and other potential pests. . .  The bristlecone has adjusted to places on earth that no other tree wants to inhabit and in these harsh environments, has flourished.“  from Wikipedia

 The Bristlecone photograph that graces the cover of our Fall Calendar provides a powerful image of the Growth of Stillpoint since its original Inspiration and lived Vision over the last six years.  Like the bristlecone Stillpoint is a Center which honors spirituality as the oldest known relationship between humans and the Divine.  Stillpoint located in urban Las Vegas offers a spiritual oasis isolated from the frenzied pace of city life.  A deep spiritual life makes one truly resistant to the invasion  by the potential pests and negative forces in our time.  The spiritual life flourishes when it adjusts to the harsh environments:  ecological, social, cultural and economic of our day.  And the Cone itself, the fruit of the tree, full, ripe, colorful and strong is a fitting image of the life and growth of Stillpoint.  This Fall we celebrate the growth in a special way as we launch the Institute for Spiritual Direction at Stillpoint, ISDS,  a two year weekend program, which will provide the first ever training for Spiritual Directors in the State of Nevada. What a reason for celebration and joy!

Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice in all the great religious and spiritual traditions.  From earliest times people sought the guidance of the desert abbas and ammas, the Irish anam chara, the Jewish mashpia.  “The object of spiritual direction,”  says Rabbi Jacob Staub, “is to cultivate one’s ability to discern God’s presence in one’s life — to notice and appreciate moments of holiness, to maintain an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things, to explore ways to be open to the Blessed Holy One in challenging and difficult moments as well as in joyful ones.”

Spiritual directors are women and men who on their own spiritual journey integrate prayer and life, contemplation and action, faith and justice, and companion another on his/her journey.  The Rabbi describes the Spiritual Director as “one who serves as a companion and witness, someone who helps you to discern the divine where you might have missed it and to integrate that awareness into your daily life, work, your study, your ritual practice.”  May our upcoming program grow many holy and wise spiritual companions for the sacred work of tending the Holy.

We ask that you include in your prayer the Institute, its staff and participants as we at Stillpoint join our new program with the ancient practice of Spiritual Direction.

Roisin O’Loughlin
Founding Director

• Please read our Spring 2010 message.
• Please read our Fall 2009 message.
• Please read our Spring 2009 message.
• Please read our Fall 2008 message.
• Please read our Spring 2008 message.
• Please read our Spring 2007 message.
• Please read our Second Anniversary message from October, 2006.
• Please read our First Anniversary message from October, 2005
• Please read our Inaugural Welcome Letter from October, 2004.