Robin McGauley
The spiritual journey is a slow unfolding. Having a companion along the way to listen, notice and harvest meaning and wisdom can be a beautiful experience.
We walk together into deeper knowing. The journey is our home.
I'm a full-time artist and spiritual director. My daily life is infused with spiritual practice since making art requires an intensity of presence to the realities of my inner life and the outer world. I meditate daily and attend weekly sessions at the Waterloo Dharma Centre. For inspiration I enjoy reading (especially exquisite poetry!), walking labyrinths, dancing at the banks of the Grand River, visiting Cedar trees, deep talks with friends, and gardening in my oasis of a backyard. The Iris is my favourite flower. The Snail is my guide. I meet with my own spiritual director on a monthly basis and, for accountability to the practice of spiritual direction, I meet regularly with a supervisor.
I completed the Ontario Jubilee program in 2014. I have a post-graduate certificate in Expressive Arts from the Haliburton School of Art and Design and then, for 10 years, I was a part-time faculty member of the program. I'm also a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and have led countless workshops and retreats on the labyrinth.
My vocational background includes being ordained in The United Church of Canada in 2005. I have a Master of Divinity degree from the Vancouver School of Theology and graduated with the award for highest achievement. From 2007-2016, I was the Program Director at Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre where I created and led a variety of programs to deepen the spiritual life of participants. Then I served at the United Church's General Council Office in Toronto as the staff person responsible for the policies and procedures for how someone becomes a minister in the denomination. I currently serve on the Indigenous Justice Advisory Committee of The United Church of Canada as a white settler who is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
"The first duty of love is to listen."
Paul Tillich
Contact information:
Kitchener, Ontario
Availability:
I offer spiritual direction in person, on Zoom or on the phone.
