Category Archives: compassion

The Journey of an Everyday Pilgrim

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I was preparing last week’s post, I felt nervous. I loved the concept of becoming more aware of God’s felt presence in my body, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to maintain the practice. What if this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged Bowen Island, Camino, Camino de Santiago, Discerning Hearts, Esther Hizsa, Examen, James Martin, Marcin Bajer, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing | 2 Comments

Being Restored by Grace

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I enjoyed a nice break over Christmas and New Year’s. When a heavy snowfall slowed the world down even more, I noticed what it feels like in my body to relax, knowing nothing urgent needs my attention. Now that I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Black-capped chickadee, Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship. Community Fridge, Community fridge, Dawn Perry, Esther Hizsa, Falling Snow, Genesis 2, Matthew 28:20, Ron Bulovs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing, unending miracle of love, William Johnston | Leave a comment

I Love You. I’m Listening.

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We cannot live our lives constantly looking back, listening back, lest we be turned to pillars of longing and regret, but to live without listening at all is to live deaf to the fullness of the music…. Listen for him. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Best Friends, Desmond Tutu, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Insight Timer, Julian of Norwich, Loving and Listening to Yourself, New Year's, Sarah Blondin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, The Sacred Journey, Thomas Leuthard | Leave a comment

As You Step into the New Year

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As 2021 comes to a close, I’m becoming more aware of what I’m leaving behind and what I want to take with me into the New Year. This year we’ve all had significant losses of one kind or another. We’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Resource | Tagged breath prayer, centering prayer, chair yoga, compline, Contemplative Outreach, Esther Hizsa, Michał Koralewski, New Year, New Year meditation, New Year reflection, Pema Chödrön, Rachael Moore, RAIN, Revelation 21:5, self-compassion, Sherry Zak Morris, snow angel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Tonglen, Valarie Kaur, vegan food, walk away, Yoga with Adriene | 1 Comment

Astonishing Things Can Happen

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

How might this moment be a gift to me, just as it is? I asked in last week’s post. I fingered that question like a smooth stone in my pocket while I put on my jacket and shoes. “Okay then,” … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Aftab Uzzaman, Cam Miller, David Whyte, Esther Hizsa, present moment, rest, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Winter Bench at the Strip Mall | 3 Comments

Listening to My Fear

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“I got out my old calendars and checked. We used that Groupon. I didn’t lose three hundred dollars, afterall,” I told Fred, and he gave me a hug and a kiss. It was a sunny Friday, and we’d just gotten … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Artotem, Esther Hizsa, Father Thomas Keating, focusing, Giving Hands, Insights at the Edge, living in the moment, No Bad Parts, Richard Schwartz, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tami Simon, Welcoming Prayer, welcoming your feelings | 4 Comments

The Sannyasi’s Gift

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

After my playful summer, I had literally hundreds of unread emails to clear. One thing led to another, and I ended up on Groupon. In my history, I found an expired coupon a couple of years old worth three hundred … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Anthony de Mello, Bye-bye Summertime, Cascades, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer retreat, money, Patrik S., Rediscovering Life, Sally Ringdahl, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tim Haynes | 3 Comments

Come Back

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As autumn arrives, I find myself with little energy or enthusiasm. I have responsibilities, work to do, and practices to return to but lack the desire to do any of it. I don’t see a clear path forward as Covid … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Justice, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged autumn, Autumn leaves, Denethos, Douglas Hill, Esther Hizsa, Faramir, Lord of the Rings Pippen's Song, orange shirt day, Province of British Columbia, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Truth and Reconciliation | Leave a comment

Come Home, Sweetheart

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Sunny dayslong bike ridespeaches and time–lots of leisurely time to enjoy momentswithout conflictdeadlines or problems to solve. Then the rain we needed cameto put out the firesalong with the restrictions we needed to keep us all safe.News kept coming from Haiti … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Bernal Saborio, Cheryl Richardson, Covid 19, Esther Hizsa, Everything you've said, forever_carrie_on, hug, Melody Owen, Peaches, Pen Waggener, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Tapping Summit | 1 Comment

Offering Kindness

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“When I read your blog I hear how much you’ve changed in the past year,” my friend said. “You’re a lot kinder to yourself.” I smiled and recalled how often I used to hear, “You’re so hard on yourself.” I … Continue reading →