The spiritual path is not meant to be walked alone.
The practice of spiritual direction has been developed over the millennia in light of this truth. Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual friendship, mentorship, discipleship, accountability, etc.) can take many forms, but it is necessary for anyone who is serious about a fully spiritual — a fully human — life.
Holy Listening is a great short introduction to this practice. It is practical and engaging with a minimum of jargon and plenty of definition. Many stories of spiritual direction are included, and the role of the spiritual director is demystified. Additionally, Guenther pays special attention to women’s issues in this book, so, if you’re a woman, then this book will particularly resonate with you (although it’s not bad for us guys either).
It is a wonderful companion volume to Kenneth Leech’s Soul Friend which is a little more technical and formal. If you are interested in spiritual direction from a historical viewpoint, then Aelred of Rievaulx’s Spiritual Friendship is still the seminal text in the field.
Remember the words of Thomas Merton, “The most dangerous man in the world is the contemplative who is guided by nobody…The world is covered with the scars that have been left in its flesh by visionaries like these” (New Seeds of Contemplation, p. 194-195).
Spiritual direction is indispensable!