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.
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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Now you are lifted up and alone, O Sacred Friend. You are every person who has ever been condemned, battered, betrayed, or abandoned. You bear all our suffering and every consequence for the suffering we caused. “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent
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Tagged Crucifixion 2, Esther Hizsa, Jesus down from the cross, Luke 23:34, Michael D. O'Brien, O Sacred Head, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul
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Perhaps it wasn’t until Jesus and his disciples sat down to eat their evening meal that they noticed the unpleasant aroma of street and feet. I can imagine them all, tired from the day, edgy and irritated with each other, avoiding eye … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent
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Tagged Dirck van Baburen, dirty feet, Esther Hizsa, foot washing, Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet, John 13, LIving Flame of Love, Maundy Thursday, rbairdpccam, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Tassoman. flames
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How do we respond to such an exquisite display of love? Jesus, seated on a donkey, resolutely rides into Jerusalem knowing he will die there. Both he and the saint who is showing him the way are holding a scroll. The word … Continue reading →
Posted in Holy Week, Lent
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Tagged Einzug Christi in Jerusalem by Meister der Palastkapelle 1150., Esther Hizsa, Jerusalem, LIving Flame of Love, Palm Frond, Palm Sunday, Samuel John, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Triumphal Entry
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“What was the most memorable meal you ever had?” a friend asked everyone at the dinner table. One by one each person described an experience of eating extravagantly prepared food in an exquisite setting. But it was hard for me to listen. … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Lent, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Alan Torrence, Esther Hizsa, Fancy Dinner, Godspeed, Live Godspeed, love, Matt Canlis, Megan Yungwirth, Nick, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Who Am I?
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