About Esther Hizsa
Esther is a writer, spiritual director, and cofacilitates contemplative retreats and courses. She lives in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, Fred.
“Welcome and entertain all your feelings,” Rumi says in The Guest House. Then he gets specific, “The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.” Why in the world would I want … Continue reading →
Posted in compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Brian McLaren, Esther Hizsa, feelings, Hans Thoma, Kinderreigen, Parker Palmer, Revolutionary Love, Richard Rohr, Rumi, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Guest House, Valarie Kaur, welcoming feelings, Welcoming Prayer
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“I don’t want to be here,” my insides were shouting. For months, I disregarded my feelings and kept doing what I should, what a good Christian would. Then in Advent, God, who hears my thoughts and feels my feelings, asked … Continue reading →
Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged Coleman Barks, 紫流, Dog & Cat, Essential Rumi, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer retreat, Let there be light, quatum bunny, Rumi, Sad_Creature, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, The Guest House
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I stand at the edge of a virgin year, hallowed with a light dusting of snow. Skates in hand, I hope the ice is thick enough the surface smooth enough my ankles strong enough to do something beautiful. But I’m … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Poetry, Reflections, Writing
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Tagged Benson Kua, David Ward, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Frozen Lake, ice skates, John Knox Christian School, New Year, patient trust, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony Webster, trust the slow work of God, Wendy Pertulla
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What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; –Christina Rosetti, In the Bleak Mid-Winter Oftentimes it is easier … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections
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Tagged Christina Rosetti, Esther Hizsa, Illuminated Advent Retreat, In the Bleak Midwinter, Jan Richardson, Kyle Gregory Devaras, Nativity, Night Sky, Ruth Monette, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, violscaper
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From the moment I stepped into this chapel, it felt like home. Wood, stone, glass, and flame together breathed a silent welcome. . . . Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Holy One who comes to meet … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, compassion, Creation, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections
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Tagged 3ter Advent, 4 Advent, Advent, Anton Raphael Mengs, Esther Hizsa, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan L. Richardson, John 14:20, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John the Baptist
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Those who have sat in the darkness know how the shadows give way to desire. Without sight, without our heads swimming with the images of what others tell us we want, we can turn our gaze inward and search our … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged 3ter Advent, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan Richardson, myrealnameispete, Parker Palmer, shadow, shy soul, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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“Sensing your feet on the floor. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing,” Maureen said. It was her turn to accompany me in a focusing session. “Bringing your inhale inward through your head, use your inhale to make deep … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Overeating, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Advent, calm, Donna Varnau, embodied presence, Esther Hizsa, Felipe Bastos, focusing, grosskopf_photography, John 14:27, Mike Green, Overeating, Psalm 133:1, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Guest House
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“You are joy. You’re our hope. You are gen-tle-ness.” Then I heard the Poor Clares sing, “You are safe-ty” and teared up. I noticed the impact the word “safety” had on my body and remembered a similar sensation I’d had … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, community, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Advent Retreat, EFT, Esther Hizsa, focusing, Illuminated, Jan Richardson, Just right she sighed, Matthew 11:28, Poor Clares, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Corey, Tapping, trauma
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“Let there be Esther,” I heard God pronounce, speaking right into my life-long struggle to exist. During the Ignatian prayer retreat I was leading last week, I had a chance to pray with one of my “joyful mysteries.” As I … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections
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Tagged Book of Genesis, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, JIm Kwik, Joyful Mysteries, Kei Miller, Let there be light, Pádraig Ó Tuama, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, Zephaniah 3:17
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“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said to Sally after she shared the news that her mother was dying. “Don’t worry about the retreat. I’ll find someone to fill in for you.” She’d been looking forward to co-facilitating the … Continue reading →
Posted in community, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Ignatian prayer retreat, Isaiah 43:2, John the Baptist, Living from the Heart, Poor Clares of Arundel, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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An Everyday Pilgrim 