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.
I love being with people and look forward to social gatherings, but I often come home with a stone in my shoe. When I shake it out and it falls to the floor, I recognize that moment when something went … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections
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Tagged Anne Duifhuis, community, Dale Wagner, Done in a Day, Esther Hizsa, insecurity, Kamaljith K V, Mental Health, Mouth of friend and stranger, Mustard Seed, Patty Wagner, Ride Don't Hide, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Patrick's Breastplate, Wendy Linnington
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I’ve been doing too much, thinking too much. I’m so full of thoughts about what I have to do, my prayer times are inundated with them. I try to push them away, but each one promises to be the thought that will … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Prayer
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Tagged Alone in the woods, Another foggy morning, Ascension Day, Carlo Scherer, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Jan L. Richardson, Just Sit There Right Now, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stay, The Gift
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During teaching sessions of Living from the Heart, the participants and facilitators sat in a circle. In the centre was a low table adorned with a cross and a candle, and around it were a number of icons, two pictured here. … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Andrei Rublev, Esther Hizsa, Finnish schools, Greg Boyle S.J., Icon of the Holy Trinity, Living from the Heart, Michael Moore, Our Lady of Vladimir, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tattoos on the Heart, Where to Invade Next
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This week I’ve been away at Living From the Heart. Here is a post I wrote two years ago when I was co-facilitating this course for the first time. Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Stories
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Tagged Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Bracteantha Magenta, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Fleming's Nurseries, Jeff Imbach, Living from the Heart, Lodge at Twin Creeks, Matthew 11:29-30, Opening to God, rhythms of grace, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, spiritual formation, straw flower
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People in authority can make me nervous. I’m always afraid they’ll turn into a tiger, pin me in a corner, and pounce on me for doing something wrong. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. For the most part, the leaders I … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Reflections, Songs, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Angelo Antonelli, Esther Hizsa, I Can Dance with the Tiger, Mathias Appel, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, trauma, Wednesday Lunch Club
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It’s Tuesday and I haven’t written Friday’s blog post yet. I’ve finished praying and have nothing scheduled for the rest of the morning; it’s an ideal setting to write. Often the story has already come together, and I just need a chunk … Continue reading →
Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Writing
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Tagged Acts 17:28, Blank page new day, cistercaminante, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Psalm 5:3, Rick Stilwell, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of Thomas Merton
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Recently I received a new awareness that was liberating. Like a pilgrim summiting a mountain pass, I beheld a fresh landscape. Rolling green hills with clusters of trees and fields of wildflowers sprawled out before me. I savoured this new way of being for ten … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Citizen Advocacy Ottawa, Esther Hizsa, Green Valley, Invisible Disabilities Symposium, Isaiah 48:6-7, Joel 2:25, Kim Barthel, Luke 24:13-35, new awareness, Pisut Konepun, Praying the Psalms, Psalm 23, regret, Reza, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Patrick's Breastplate, Tanya Eichler, Vulcan Stream
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I tried to lie back and relax in the underground saltwater pool but whenever I did, I began to drift toward people I didn’t know. I was afraid I’d bump against them and disturb their solace. The Nordik spa in Gatineau, … Continue reading →
Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged breath prayer, Esther Hizsa, John 15:4, Nordik Spa, salt water pool, SETShots, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, tonglin prayer, Two Hands
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Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” –-Matthew 28:9 Suddenly you meet us–on our way from the empty tomb, in the garden, on the road to Emmaus, in a locked room, by the sea, and in the dawn of our darkest night. Your … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week
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Tagged Chris Ballard, Esther Hizsa, LIving Flame of Love, Matthew 28:1-9, Michael D. O'Brien, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, the glory of dawn, Transcendence
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It is finished. Jesus has died. His body is lowered down from the cross and taken to the tomb. On Easter Saturday, we hold vigil with everyone who is grieving the loss of Christ’s presence. Those bright days of miracles … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent
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Tagged Devotion, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, Gone is the Light, Gord Johnson, Holy Saturday, John 14:28, John 1:5, LIving Flame of Love, Luke 11:11-13, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, The Dark Night of the Soul
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An Everyday Pilgrim 