John de Waal is a spiritual director who defines a liminal space as a threshold, or place of waiting, often without knowing, for what’s on the “other side of the door.” These spaces often begin with significant changes, including loss of job or the death of a loved one. He says there are many questions people are seeking to answer when faced with these situations of transition. John encourages people to ask themselves “who are they becoming?”
A health crisis often becomes a liminal space when people wonder “now what?” in a quest for finding meaning and, at times, God’s presence within challenging life events. John recommends a reflective discernment process to help navigate through seasons of transitions. As a spiritual director, his role is to listen to people’s stories and ask questions, leaving the door open for “something mysterious to occur” while listening for what the Spirit is calling someone to do. He shares an exercise that invites people to reflect upon what kind of legacy they want to leave behind. For more information, please visit www.inaliminalspace.com