9 Guidelines For Spiritual Coaching

Spirituality coaching is more than creating goals andEach person is exactly where he or she needs to be
holding someone accountable. Spirituality coachingin the evolution of his or her consciousness right now.
takes into account the whole person, that is, mind, bodyEach person has all the answers inside himself or
and spirit. Spirituality coaching focuses on one'sherself. Everyone comes to find right action, right
essential well being that can only be accessed fromknowing and right understanding from within. My choice
one's Inner Core, one's essence. The aim of spiritualityis to serve and support others to look inside to
coaching is true and lasting transformation, and a truediscover what they need to know. Whenever a client
congruence between one's inter behavior and outeris in an "I don't know" situation, rather than tell or
behavior, allowing one to show up in integrity andsuggest, I ask: (1) "Is it OK not to know?" (2) "How
authentically. The following nine spiritual guidelines candoes it feel not to know?" or (3) "What if you did
serve as a foundation for spirituality coaching.know?" I have no wanting or needing to fix, make the
1. I AM A CELL IN THE BODY OF HUMANITY. Like"right" suggestion, have an answer, and be the
the acres of sage in a desert that are connected by acoach-turned-consultant. For me, this is acting with
single root, I know that I have a connection with, and anhonesty, sincerity and responsibility to myself and
impact on, on every other cell in this body calledanother to just be the space and be present, in the
Humanity. I know my thoughts, words and actionsNow, and allow whatever arises in the other to arise,
affect all the cells in this body. I am aware myknowing that their "answer" or "solution" or next step"
thoughts, words, and actions are either "healing" orwill naturally emerge.
"killing" these other cells. I operate on the belief that all"Is it OK to be where I am right now?" helps me
of life is relationship, and that how I treat one person isdiscover and explore if my need for "control" forces
reflected out to every individual on the planet in someme to gravitate away from my true and real self.
way, shape or form. I know the planetary impact of6. EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE OF MY LIFE IS AN
my thoughts as I know a butterfly flapping its wings inINTERACTION OF SPIRIT WITH MY SOUL. I know
Japan can cause a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.there is no such thing as luck, circumstance or
"How are my thoughts healing or killing someone rightcoincidence. Every thing happens for a reason. I am
here, right now?" guides and makes me consciouslyconsistently receiving lessons and teachings.
aware of my spiritual responsibility in every one of my"I'm curious about this," encourages my continued
day-to-day interactions.practice of inquiry and reflection to delve more deeply
2. I EXPERIENCE ALL OF LIFE AS DIVINE. I respectinto conscious awareness and understanding of my
the humanity of each person I know and meet; I amself as I continue on my journey as a coach and Earth
aware that everyone possesses a spark of divinity. IHuman.
make warm and embracing eye contact and refer to7. CIRCUMSTANCES HAPPEN "FOR" US, NOT "TO"
each individual by name when referring to him or herUS. I remove my self from a "victim consciousness"
directly and indirectly. I first choose to relate to eachand "martyrdom" perspective. Blame, jealousy,
person as divine, and only then do I relate to them indefensiveness, and resentment are not a part of the
their "role" as a client, a neighbor, a direct report, afabric of who I am. I am grateful and appreciative of
manager, a leader, a clerk, a wife, a child, an athlete, aevery circumstance, event and person that I meet on
coach, a clerk, a repair person, etc. I refrain frommy path.
referring to individuals as "my client", "my 2:00, "the guy"So, what's the learning here?" guides my responses to
who", etc.life and enhances my personal and professional
"Am I seeing this person with the eyes of Spirit; am Igrowth and development.
speaking with the voice of Spirit; am I listening with the8. GREET EVERYONE WITH A WARM SMILE. A
ears or Spirit?" guides me to consciously connect withsmile of greeting is a gift of appreciation. There are no
another's divine humanity."little people", anywhere, who I can ignore or be
3. I MANIFEST AUTHENTICITY THROUGHinsensitive toward.
HONESTY, SINCERITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. I am"What seems to be separating me from you?"
first responsible for "walking the talk," and so Ireminds me that I am in alignment with everyone with
consciously monitor my own behaviors andwhom I come into contact.
performance and refrain from judging another's9. SPIRITUALITY IS A LOT LIKE BEING PREGNANT.
motives, intentions or behaviors.Either I am or I'm not. I can't be "a little bit" pregnant, nor
"Am I 'being' and 'doing' honestly, sincerely andcan I be "a little bit" spiritual. If I'm not coming from a
responsibly right here, right now in my relationship withplace of spirituality, i.e., my Essential Self, what's getting
myself and with others?" guides me to be consciouslyin the way? Ego? Limiting thoughts and beliefs?
conscious of living from a place of integrity andSabotaging self-images or self-concepts? Regret
authenticity.because I'm living in the past, or fear, anxiety and
4. THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE ALLOWS THEworry about the future?
SPACE FOR EVERYONE TO BE HIMSELF OR"What will it take for me to come from my essence
HERSELF. Presence allows me to be in my body,and align my outer behavior and inner behavior as
inside rather than in my mind, to be in the moment, inone?" reminds me to let go of my ego and "little self"
the Now. In presence, I am not in the past or future. Ias I continue my journey toward transformation.
am not judging, evaluating or being "mental". I am stillSo, spirituality in coaching and being coached is not a
and focused. In every interaction, I set my intention tomatter of convenience. One needs to be aware of
quiet my mind and open my heart through the actionthe discrepancy between genuine spirituality (which
of presence. I serve as the space in which coachingcomes from Essence and divinity) and counterfeit
happens. "Out beyond the ideas of rightdoing andspirituality (which is an "ego ideal" of what it means of
wrongdoing, there is a field; I'll meet you there." (Rumi)be spiritual) that one puts on like a robe when meeting
"Is it OK to allow whatever arises in this space, in thiswith a person being coached, or in fact, with anyone.
moment?" allows me to "go inside" to find innerThese spiritual guidelines for coaching serve to inform
wisdom, inner knowing and understanding, and insightsone's coaching practice and one's life. When individuals
into my BE-ings and DO-ings in every relationship andmake an honest and sincere effort to allow these
interaction.spiritual guidelines for coaching to be the beacon that
5. EVERYONE IS EXACTLY WHERE THEYdrives the direction of their practice, they and their
SHOULD BE AT THIS TIME, IN THIS PLACE, ON THEclients most often experience greater inner peace,
PLANET. It is not my job, role or responsibility to "fix",harmony, balance and well-being at work, at home and
"change" or tell anyone "what's best for her or him."at play.