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.
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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On the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, I checked my emails. Among them, was a yes in response to an urgent plea. The relief I felt was delicious. The weather held and I was able to ride the rest … Continue reading →
Away from home at the end of a full day, I read an email and received a problem– a big problem that I had to solve. I noticed the absence of butterflies in my stomach and “Oh Nos” in my … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Rocha, A Rocha Talks, Alone in a World of Wounds, Anupama Ranawana, Brent Unrau, Esther Hizsa, ferry, Hannah Malcolm, Jonas Lönborg, Matthew Humphrey, Nanaimo, Nanaimo sunrise, problem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve
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On the afternoon before the opening weekend of Living from the Heart at Bethlehem Centre on Vancouver Island, I took a walk around Westwood Lake to allow my jostled soul to settle. That morning, I’d read the poem Vessel by … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged Anthem, Autumn sunrise, Esther Hizsa, Kevin Brown, Leonard Cohen, Living from the Heart, Martin LaBar, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding LIght, Vessel, Westwood Lake
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When this post is published, I will be at Bethlehem Centre for the opening weekend of this year’s Living from the Heart. Last year we had a new team, new format, new location, and a new intern. It was also … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Esther Hizsa, jar of pond water, Living from the Heart, Psalm 46:10, Russell McNeil, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness
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