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.
When my friend’s granddaughter “Amy” was diagnosed with high functioning autism, she and her family felt like they’d cracked a code. They finally understood why Amy interacts with the world the way she does. With these insights, she could make … Continue reading →
Posted in autism, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Reflections
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Tagged Arlen Redekop, encounter, Esther Hizsa, False Creek Sole Food farm, Father Richard Soo, insight, Kelly Dycavinu, Knit Together, Michael Ableman, presence, Randy Shore, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Street Farm: Growing Food Jobs and Hope on the Urban Frontier.
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As I listen to directees share their struggles and listen to my own, I notice that there’s a strata to our feelings and desires. Like an archaeological dig, the top layer–the first one we experience–gets our attention. It’s the hurt right under … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Luke 13:18-19, Mustard Seed, praying with our emotions, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wendy Linnington
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I love being the hero. I want to be the one that fixes the problem or has the answer. If someone is in great need, I find myself ruminating about how that need can be met. Meanwhile, if someone else meets that need, … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, awareness, Esther Hizsa, Free Store, hero's journey, Joan of Arc, New Life Community Church, Psalm 121, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Perhaps last week’s post left you thinking about that age-old question: How much of our transformation is up to God and how much is our responsibility? Thinking of this in terms of a boat that is going from one shore to another, we might ask: How … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Benedictines, Esther Hizsa, Matthew 7:11, Northumbria Community, Rule of Life, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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As I mentioned last week, stillness is not something I easily gravitate toward. When I do try to be still, fleeting and few are the moments when I’m “walking on water,” blissfully free from distraction. Even though I know (and teach) that God is … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Another day in paradise, Anthony de Mello, Arne Hulstein, Candles, Carlo Scherer, centering prayer, Christian Exercises in Eastern Form, Esther Hizsa, Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Imago Dei, John the Baptist, Sadhana, silent prayer, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Mark’s gospel says that one evening Jesus got into a boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. He was exhausted after a day of teaching and healing and fell asleep on a cushion at the back of … Continue reading →
Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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Tagged Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, Jesus calms storm, McCrimmon Publishing, Soren Kierkegaard, SoulStream, SoulStream founders, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Imbach, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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Jesus sends me off to pray in my boat of words. I begin to row. Even though I know he’s gone off to the hills, I look for him beside me, remember our hands touching, while he slept in the stern. … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Poetry, Prayer
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, centering prayer, Contemplative Outreach, contemplative prayer, Esther Hizsa, Father Thomas Keating, Living from the Heart, Matthew 14:22-33, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Ted, then, Walking on water
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This picture called to me from the table covered with photos at a silent retreat earlier this year. I wasn’t sure why until I sat with it in prayer. What stood out for me at first was the bronze colour. It … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged A Thousand Splendid Suns, Banff, camping, Esther Hizsa, Falling Upwards, Khaled Hosseini, Richard Rohr, Seyed Mostafa Zamani, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You’ll find the introduction to DIY group prayer retreats here and other outlines under resources. CIRCLE ME, LORD After people have gathered, begin with a time of … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline
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Tagged Circle Me Lord, Circle Prayers, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer, Ignatius of Loyola, Joy Richardson, Luke 13: 10-17, prayer retreat, Psalm 131:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver, Spiritual Exercises
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Not that long ago, the idea of spending time alone with God in silence was not even on my radar. But God knew how much I needed this and invited me to “pray in the cracks.” This post was originally … Continue reading →
Posted in Homelessness, Popular Posts, Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Christian Asuh, Creative Curator, elevator, Esther Hizsa, Holding Out Hope, Lesley-Anne Evans, Metro Community, old tapes, praying in the cracks, Regent College, Sistine Chapel, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Zephaniah 3:17
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