2025 Spiritual Directors Fall Forum

Updated on

Saturday, October 25, 2025 – 9 am – 4 pm with overnight option on Friday, October 24

From Niceness to Kindness: Enneagram Wisdom for Courageous Presence in Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction calls us to hold brave space and be deeply present to the Spirit and to others—not just pleasant, helpful, nice or “safe.” In this Fall Forum retreat, we will explore how the Enneagram can help us discern the difference between ego-based “niceness” and soul-rooted kindness. Together, we’ll examine how each of the nine Enneagram types—via the relational strategy triad/three social styles of the nine (assertive/aggressive, compliant/dutiful, & withdrawn/withdrawing)—may distort or diminish our capacity to hold brave, sacred space.

Through teaching, guided reflection, experiential exercises, and spiritual companioning tie-ins, we will deepen our capacity to:

  • Recognize how Enneagram type may unconsciously shape our style of presence
  • Discern the difference between reactive accommodation and attuned, loving kindness
  • Practice courageous listening that honors both the human wound and the soul’s invitation
  • Cultivate greater freedom, joy, and humility in our work as spiritual directors

Whether you are new or newer to the Enneagram, a seasoned practitioner, or a trained professional, this retreat invites you to reconnect with your deepest calling as a spiritual director: to offer a brave space and presence that liberates, not placates.

Deadline to register is Friday, October 17, 2925. Questions? Contact Lydia Mercado, Spiritual Direction Coordinator (lmercado@richmondhillva.org).

Suggested Donations

$60 – Saturday only
$130 – Individual overnight retreat option (4pm Friday – 4pm Saturday)

Reduced registration ($45/$115) as well as pay-it-forward ($75/$150) are available.

Registration

Key Times

Friday, October 24, 2025
4:00 pm – Check-in begins for overnight attendees
5:30 pm – Evening prayer
5:45 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Centering prayer (commuters are welcome to join)

Saturday, October 25, 2025
8:30 am – Check-in begins for commuters
9:00 am – Morning session begins
12:00 pm – Noon prayer & Lunch
1:30 pm – Afternoon session begins
4:00 pm – Departure

Facilitator

Logan Jones is a spiritual director, Enneagram coach & teacher, serves as the Enneagram Lead of Closer Than Breath: an online inter-spiritual contemplative community dedicated to inner work and soulful living and is a musician. He facilitates individual spiritual direction, leads a weekly Centering Prayer group at Closer Than Breath, hosts Contemplation and Enneagram retreats and summits, and writes weekly reflections on spiritual growth, transformation, and courage. Logan’s work weaves together the Enneagram, contemplative practice, soul care in service of kindness, wholeness, belonging, and compassionate self-observation.