A couple, previously non-religious but suddenly in awe of their newborn, want something akin to a christening ceremony; not knowing where to turn, they drop the idea. Two parents realize their child is entering adolescence and want to honor the transition; they settle for giving a gift and a store-bought card. High school sweethearts are thinking about marriage; neither of the skeptical families can afford counseling and no one has church affiliation; the couple elopes, and two years later they divorce.

These are not uncommon scenarios. Our society is full of stories about people in transition, in turmoil, in decision-making situations. What many of these stories have in common is a secularism that leaves the protagonists in a sort of moral limbo. They sense that some action or guidance would be appropriate, but they have nowhere to turn. The clergy is out of the question, for they have no ties to religion. Counseling is out of the question, either because it costs too much, has a stigma attached, or because what they are sensing is not really a psychological problem so much as a turning point to be considered or honored. What these people seek is a guide, a person of wisdom -- a person of spirit.

Wisdom does not necessarily reside in family elders (who are most likely hundreds of miles away), and most likely not in friends who are in the same life stage as the questioner. Counselors and therapists possess expertise, but that is no guarantee of wisdom or an ability to offer spiritual guidance.

WHAT IT IS:

attunement (energy balancing, alignment to calm, clear & heighten awareness)

perception/purpose clarification (as in counseling, advocacy, & mediation)

ceremony/ritual creation & facilitation (for life transitions)

legal ceremony witnessing (for spiritual component in secular rites)

developmental/perceptual-experiential education

pre-parenting & parenting education

child guidance/advocacy/challenge facilitation

adolescent mentorship/counseling/challenge facilitation

adult-elder counseling/process facilitation/leadership training (?)

WHAT IT IS NOT:

psychotherapy or problem-oriented

religious or clerical

new age, mystical or "other world"-oriented

advocacy of particular philosophy or world view

for-profit or institutional

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QUESTIONS:

Recruitment? from disenchanted traditional & new age clergy? training?

Shaman or charlatan? bonding? certification? licensing?

Payment? donation? retainer?

Legalization/Incorporation? witness vs. legal representative (e.g.wedding)