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.
After the pharisee listed my faults publicly and loudly, I began to weep. It was all true. I prayed, “Lord God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” My heart cracked open. I was now painfully aware of the extent to which … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Christ washing disciples feet, Dirck van Baburen, Esther Hizsa, Father Lawrence Lew, hope, John 13: 1-11, Kevin Lee, Luke 7:38-50, Newcomers Choir, Publican aand the Pharisee, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, suscipe, Take and Receive, Ted
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“I’d like you to begin the retreat by praying with Psalm 139,” said Edmund, the young Jesuit who was my spiritual director for the eight days I spent alone with God. My room at Carmel Hill Formation House in Deroche opened … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged California Golden Poppy, California Poppy, Carmel Hill, Deroche, eight day prayer retreat, Esther Hizsa, Father Alwyn, Helen Chua Tiampo, Ignatian prayer retreat, Little Flower Monastery, Luke 18:9-14, Nan C. Merrill, Philip Bouchard, prayer retreat, Psalm 139, Psalm 51:17, psalm 91, Psalms for Praying, Publican and the Pharisee Icon, spiritual director Burnaby, Thea Rose
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I returned from my eight-day retreat carefully cradling my tender heart. In the coming weeks, I will talk about what happened. It’s changed how I see and hear God, myself and scripture. Yesterday I read Matthew 7:21-27 and heard it in a new … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Justin Kern, kingdom of God, Matthew 7;21-27, Pescadero, Rembrandt, Rolling Tempest, Show Me the Way, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, tender heart, The Return of the Prodigal Son, vulnerability
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“Wow, what a powerful quote! It would be awesome if the world could live like this,” said a friend after reading this quote from last week’s blog post. You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by … Continue reading →
Posted in Overeating, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged 1 John 4:21, Acts 2:1-4, Andrei Rublev, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, Greg Boyle S.J., Hafiz, Pentecost, pilgrimage, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, standing with, Steve Bell, Tattoos on the Heart, three angels hosted by Abraham, Trinity, Wednesday Lunch Club
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So I went as I was to the annual gathering of SoulStream, our dispersed contemplative community. In an afternoon session, Andrea, one of SoulStream’s founding partners, read this quote from Gregory Boyle‘s Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. You … Continue reading →
Posted in Overeating, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Andrea Kastner, Dave Gill, Esther Hizsa, Gail Koombes, ginger snap bake-off, Greg Boyle S.J., kinship, Shauna Gill, Song of Songs 2;14, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stuart Williams, success, Tattoos on the Heart, Thorny Beauty
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God’s been listening to my thoughts again–not just the chatter in my head but the deep sighs of my heart. You know those dreams where you’re scrambling to make something happen, it’s not coming together, and time’s running out? I’ve experienced that now … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Overeating, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Songs, Stories
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Tagged Abreha and Atsbeha Church, Adam and Eve, All Life, ashamed, Esther Hizsa, Garden of Eden, John Bell, naked, Road Fun, Ron Guest, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Take Me as I Am
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“Your sister really loves you,” a friend said after I told her about my trip to Gatineau, Quebec to visit my sister and her family. During that week I was touched again by Sylvia’s generosity and thoughtfulness. From buying my airplane … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Creation, Ignatian Spirituality
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, generosity, Hold On, HugaBull, Ignatius of Loyola, JoAnna Rickard, Knits for Pits, Luc De Leeuw, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, suscipe, Sylvia, Take and Receive, thoughtfulness
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If you’ve read my posts lately, you may have noticed that God has been gently widening my view and inviting me “to see all people as my kin, all living beings as my flesh.”* As I do this, I’ve been challenged to turn from self-interest … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections
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Tagged Clowns and Characters, Corinthians 3:17-18, Esther Hizsa, Eyes of My Heart, Gail Purdy, glory, leg hold traps, Mother Goose, Nancy Bailey, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding LIght
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In March I was able to get away to Bowen Island for a few days of solitude. Often when I retreat there, I sit in the cottage watching the rain come and go. But this time it was sunny and … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Baptism of Christ, boxer bob, Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., luke 3: 21 22, PT Money, Sparkling Water, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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I was talking with a friend about how we need to radically welcome the “other”–those who are different and make us feel uncomfortable. Rev.Stephanie Spellers says, “We need them in our lives and communities for our salvation.” “How do they save us?” … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Acts 3:6, Art College Doormats, Esther Hizsa, Friday Requirement, good people, Marja Bergen, Martin Cathrae, Nicolas Poussin, Radical Welcome, rejection, Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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An Everyday Pilgrim 