Jay Lukis
Pronouns: They/He
Language(s): English
Bio: First and foremost, I myself identify as a spiritual Seeker. More specifically, I identify as a spiritually fluid interfaith/interspiritual practitioner, predominantly informed by Christianity, as an ordained pastor in the ELCA Lutheran tradition since 2011, and as a student of Buddhist philosophy and practitioner of Vipassana/Insight Meditation practices and teachings. Communities with which I share affinity include neuro-diverse, disabled, clerical, LGBTQIA+, and householder, among others. I am a spouse and parent of 4 children, seeing parenting as one of the greatest and most challenging vocations for one who is simultaneously walking a spiritual path. Throughout my whole life, music has stirred my spirit; as a guitarist and singer/song-writer, I often incorporate music into my own sacred practices.
Understanding of Spiritual Care: For me, I see Spiritual Care/Guidance/Direction as a practice of sacred listening rooted in an intention to accompany seekers while they explore their own interior and exterior sacred landscapes. This might include strengthening their relationship with their own understanding of the divine, developing a deeper practice for experiencing the divine in their lives and world around them, cultivating new contemplative practices, or finding/dwelling in divine wonder together. I find my former work, as a wilderness guide at a summer camp, to be an apt metaphor for my understanding of the role of a spiritual guide. Much like a wilderness guide, I can accompany you along the journey, show you some canoe paddling techniques, teach you how and where to best set up a tent, but I could never experience the wilderness for you. Much like the geographical wilds of this world, the wilds of the spiritual landscape come along with their own kinds of inclement weather, long portages, steep and slippery slopes, as well as breathtaking beauty, awe-inspiring wonder, and mountain top experiences. My goal as a spiritual guide is to accompany and guide you in discovering the new territory of you own spiritual landscapes.
Services Offered: I offer various modes of spiritual care including Spiritual Guidance/Spiritual Direction, Accompaniment, and Pastoral Counseling, Clergy Coaching, and small group facilitation.