Heart Wisdom: Spiritual Direction Formation
Integrated formation for spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition
Note: If you are interested in applying for our next intake of Heart Wisdom (no dates confirmed at this time) please complete this Expression of Interest. Expression of Interest – Heart Wisdom
Please note that the Heart Wisdom Program is delivered as an online course.
Kardia Heart Wisdom is a two-year program for formation in the art of spiritual direction and giving the Ignatian
Spiritual Exercises. ‘Heart Wisdom’ is an ever-changing Christian formation program promoting the integration of wisdom from life experiences. This wisdom converges at the kardia.[1]
This program invites participants to journey deeply into the art and vocation of spiritual direction. Through reflective practices and experiential learning, we will explore the foundations of contemplative listening, the pathways of apophatic and kataphatic prayer, and the inner dynamics that shape a spiritual director’s presence. Together, we’ll examine the delicate balance of personal growth, professional boundaries, and the power of generative listening. With guidance in self-supervision and an awareness of psychodynamics, participants will emerge equipped to serve others with authenticity, compassion, and integrity. Whether you are beginning this journey or seeking to deepen your practice, this program offers a rich, supportive environment to cultivate the heart and skills of spiritual direction.
Aspects Integral to the Heart Wisdom Program
Members of the Heart Wisdom Program are invited to expand their knowing by engagement with existing research and exploration of their own areas of interest. It is the intention of this Program that the spiritual direction formation process will be contemplative at its heart and will assist members to be formed to think independently and communally towards the integration of meaningful and lasting change.
Pathway to becoming a Spiritual Director
Formation in the Heart Wisdom Program is cyclic rather than linear, with different aspects articulated within the segments integrated into each formative phase. Members attend eight four-day intensives as proposed for 2025-26 as well as engage ongoing individual reading, reflection and practice that include individual and group supervision outside the intensives, as well as small groups whose members decide on their specific purpose and focus.
Members of the Heart Wisdom Program are invited to expand their knowing by engagement with existing research and exploration of their own areas of interest. It is the intention of this Program that the spiritual direction formation process will be contemplative at its heart and will assist members to be formed to think independently and communally towards the integration of meaningful and lasting change.
Course Details for 2025 – 2026 (As said previously, the mode of delivery will be via eight-four-day intensives)
Intensive Dates: 9.45am – 4.15pm online – Friday to Monday (inclusive)
2025
20 – 23 June 2025 Segment One – Reflecting on Love, Humility and Freedom
19 – 22 September 2025 Segment Two – The Dynamism of Spiritual Formation
21 – 24 November 2025 Segment Three – Theology and Pedagogy of Kardia
2026
13 – 16 February 2026 Segment Four – Graces of Encounter
17 – 20 April 2026 Segment Five – The Architecture for Listening
17 – 20 June 2026 Segment Six – Releasing Potential: Spiritual Direction as a Dynamic Instrument
18 – 21 September 2026 Segment Seven – Becoming, Being, and Practicing as a Spiritual Direction
20 – 23 November 2026 Segment Eight – Kardia Direction
Monthly Online Meeting Dates: Fridays 10am – 12pm
18 July 2025 (Paper One due 11 July 2025)
15 August 2025 (Paper Two due 8 August 2025)
3 October 2025 (Paper Three due 26 September 2025)
14 November 2025 (Paper Four due 7 November 2025)
20 March 2026 (Paper Five due 13 March 2026)
15 May 2026 (Paper Six due 8 May 2026)
Practicum Requirements:
Members of the formation program will discern with their supervisors as to the appropriate time and type of practical experience each member undertakes.[1] This may be done during the two-year program or as a third year of formation. Cost for supervision of practical work outside of the above scheduled classwork will be additional to the fees prescribed. These fees are generally $85 per supervision session.
Program Fees: $3900 [2] (AUD) per semester (four semesters)
Additional – Supervision by course facilitators at $110 per session (approx. 16 sessions)
How to apply:
Please complete this application form, including a spiritual biography and send it by email to enquiries@kardia.com.au. Upon receipt of your application you will be contacted to attend an interview with the course directors via Zoom (downloadable zoom.us) Applications must be received by 30th November 2024 for the 2025-2026 intake.
Download: Heart Wisdom Brief Information 25-26 Online
Application Form – Heart Wisdom 25:26
[1] In addition to the above attendance, members of the Heart Wisdom formation program will be required to complete experience in the ministry of spiritual direction and retreat giving as follows:
For those wishing to graduate as a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition which includes giving the full Spiritual Exercises – the giving of the Spiritual Exercises to two individuals either under 19th or 20th Annotation, 60 hours of spiritual direction practice are required. This includes a minimum of 15 hours of individual supervision.
For those wishing to graduate as a spiritual director (but not necessarily a giver of the Exercises) 60 hours of spiritual direction practice is required. This includes a minimum of 15 hours of individual supervision.
[2] Please note that Kardia is currently absorbing GST but this may change in the future.
[1] Although kardia (καρδία Greek, feminine noun) is literally translated as ‘heart’, in the scriptures, kardia does not refer to the heart as the organ which animates the blood supply to the body. Rather it speaks poetically of the centre and seat of life in a person. So, kardia finds both origin and meaning in the Kardia-life which continually awakens the desire to be who we really are in the Presence of the One who knows and loves who we really are.