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.
Dan Harris, a co-anchor for Good Morning America, got his studio audience to meditate for sixty seconds. Some amazing love mischief, eh? Many people try meditating but give up because they can’t stop the distractions. Harris explains that we don’t … Continue reading →
Posted in Mindfulness, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged 10% Happier, addictions, centering prayer, Cynthia Bourgeault, Dan Harris, Esther Hizsa, Father Thomas Keating, Isaiah 30:15, meditation, Open Mind Open Heart, Overeating, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Monday night I was in a conundrum. Tuesday mornings I set aside time to write my blog post, and I didn’t know what I would write about. I knew what I didn’t want to write about. I didn’t want to … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged chamber of love, chany crystal, Dances of Universal Peace, Esther Hizsa, Luke 11:9, Narnia, Rowan Saunders, Rumi, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, XeLflick
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For an hour and a half last Sunday afternoon, I was not myself. I was an indigenous woman who lived in Canada on Turtle Island (North America) when the settlers first came to our land. My life was short. I … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Creation, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Esther Hizsa, George Erasmus, Isaiah 42: 1, Isaiah 42:3, Kairos Blanket Exercise, Kanaka Bar, Native Norhwest, Sealaska Heritage Stoer, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, T’eqt’aqtn’mux
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The first thing you have to realize is that what you need to survive is killing you. That’s the tough part. There’s relief after a few big, hard swallows. Everything gets endurable. You can actually convince yourself that things are … Continue reading →
Posted in Overeating, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Course in Weight Loss, Airflore, Esther Hizsa, Health.mil, Indian Horse, Lake Léman, Life without liquor, Marianne Williamson, One Drink Too Many, Psalm 18:16, Richard Wagamese, Sahara. L. Fales, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Switzerland, Vevey
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I think it is important to pray naked in front of a full-length mirror sometimes, especially when you are full of loathing for your body. Maybe you think you are too heavy. Maybe you have never liked the way your … Continue reading →
Posted in Aging, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged apples, Esther Hizsa, François Clemmons, Fred Rogers, Galatians 5:22, Henry Hemming, Matthew 3:8, Officer Clemmons, Philippians 1:6, spiritual director Burnaby, stick person in front of mirror, Tsahi Levent-Levi, Won't You Be My Neighbor?
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When I look at this painting of Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth by James Tissot, I see a lot of anger. I can understand why. When Jesus read those beloved words from Isaiah 61 about the Spirit of the Lord being on … Continue reading →
Posted in Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged #anger, Brian Zahnd, compassion, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 61:1-3, James Tissot, Jesus reads from the scroll, Luke 4:14-21, nonviolence, Poverbs 17:17, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, vengeance
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Fred and I spent four days on the Oregon coast last week. It rained on and off during the long drive down. When we checked into our motel, the host at the front desk asked if we were ready for liquid … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Reflections
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Learning to Pray, Macrina Wiederkehr, Marcia Fretheim, Oregon, presence, Rod Janz, Seaside, Seven Sacred Pauses, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, Tillamook Head, Velma Frye, What is
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My world’s gotten small. It happened so subtly, I hardly noticed. But now that I’m aware of it, I can see signs of shrinkage–not caring that I don’t care, taking things personally, being angry about something because of its effect … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Caroline, Doctrine of Discovery, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Kairos Blanket Exercise, Learning to Pray, Merton's Palace to Nowhere, residential schools, Rod Janz, small black bird, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Truth and Reconciliation
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Notice what you notice. You’ve heard me say that countless times in my book and blog. It’s become a contemplative practice for me ever since I prayed the Ignatian Exercises in 2012-13. I notice experiences that warm my heart. I … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged bellw, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Hold On, just.Luc, Mayor Hurley, Monica Brown, New Year's Resolutions, Ruth Monette, Soul of Christ, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, uroburos, warming centres, warming shelters
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This retreat was adapted from one prepared by Mei Chang, a SoulStream partner who is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator with a heart to offer contemplative spaces in urban areas. Instructions on how to plan a personal or group retreat … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections
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Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 3:14-17, Joshua 4:1-9, little*star, Mei Chang, New Year, Peter, Reaching Out, Sitting in Silence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stones
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An Everyday Pilgrim 