Tom Allen

Tom Allen says, “My early career was committed to the practice of organization development, supporting organizations, leaders, and teams in the work of transformation. I went on to serve as the founding executive director of City House – a non-profit dedicated to providing spiritual direction to “the poor” –  and programs dedicated to spiritual formation of “main street” persons through relationships with those less fortunate. There I learned that we are transformed when we allow ourselves to be led and taught by “the least among us.” 

Ironically, that work prepared me to experience the abundance of life that is available as a caregiver, when my wife Julie was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s. In the midst of the grief of seeing this person I loved slowly diminish over 14 years until her death, I was led to experience caregiving as a spiritual practice and Julie as my spiritual teacher, resulting in deeper intimacy with myself, God, and others.

I was trained as a spiritual director at Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, and have served in that capacity for close to 25 years.  I enjoy supporting others in their spiritual journeys, wherever that takes them. I am delighted by the variety and depth of means by which God shapes and forms individuals and communities. 

My own journey has shaped the way I walk with others. I experienced some kind of spiritual awakening when I turned 40. It led me to take leaps of faith at which my 20- year-old self would have been shocked. It has led me to know my True Self (both fully human and fully Divine), to embrace and integrate my shadow, and to live beyond just my ego. I live with a deep sense of calling, and experience all of life as sacred, including the most challenging of circumstances. I have been given the gift of being more fully present to all of life, and yet less attached to it. I have experienced some tragic circumstances, and yet in the midst of grief, have come to forgive life for being what it is and even to trust it more. I feel increasingly comfortable with ambiguity and not knowing, embracing mystery.  My life feels increasingly enchanted, living inside of a holy imagination – filled with awe and wonder. I have been awakened to the injustice and suffering of others, and feel invited to live in closer solidarity with them. I have experienced these graces inside the practice of my Christian tradition, but with increasing awareness at the ways in which so many other ancient traditions carry the same wisdom.”

Tom offers Spiritual Direction, Personal Directed Retreats, and customized retreats and workshops.

Tom is taking new Directees.