Category Archives: compassion

Letting Go of My Peace

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve never felt more at peace. For a while now, meditation, yoga, getting outside and eating well have been a part of my daily routine. I’m able to pause as I transition between activities with a subtle sense of returning … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Cynthia Bourgeault, Esther Hizsa, John 14:20, Josefina de Vasconcellos, Pema Chodron, Rathtrevor Beach, reconciliation, Revolutionary Love, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The People's Inaugruation, Thich Naht Hanh, Tonglen, Valarie Kaur | 4 Comments

Why Welcome Our Feelings?

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“Welcome and entertain all your feelings,” Rumi says in The Guest House. Then he gets specific, “The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.” Why in the world would I want … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Brian McLaren, Esther Hizsa, feelings, Hans Thoma, Kinderreigen, Parker Palmer, Revolutionary Love, Richard Rohr, Rumi, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Guest House, Valarie Kaur, welcoming feelings, Welcoming Prayer | 3 Comments

What Would You Like to Do?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“I don’t want to be here,” my insides were shouting. For months, I disregarded my feelings and kept doing what I should, what a good Christian would. Then in Advent, God, who hears my thoughts and feels my feelings, asked … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Coleman Barks, 紫流, Dog & Cat, Essential Rumi, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer retreat, Let there be light, quatum bunny, Rumi, Sad_Creature, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, The Guest House | 8 Comments

Preparing the Way Home

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

From the moment I stepped into this chapel, it felt like home. Wood, stone, glass, and flame together breathed a silent welcome. . . . Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Holy One who comes to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, compassion, Creation, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 3ter Advent, 4 Advent, Advent, Anton Raphael Mengs, Esther Hizsa, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan L. Richardson, John 14:20, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John the Baptist | 2 Comments

Seeking Truth and Reconciliation

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day. If Bill 369 passes in parliament, it will become National Truth and Reconciliation Day. This is a day to wear an orange shirt and renew our intention to acknowledge the violence done to others … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Justice, Reflections, Stories | Tagged All My Relations, Being in the Now, Bill C-262, Bill C-369, Blood Quantum, Braiding Sweetgrass, Children of God, Doctrine of Discovery, Eckhart Tolle, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian retreat, Indian Horse, Mark 12:28-31, Monique Gray Smith, National Indigenous Peoples Day, National Truth and Reconciliation Day, native re-apporopriation, Oprah, Phyllis Webstad, Richard Wagamese, Robin Wall Kimmerer, SoulStream, Speaking Our Truth, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Blanket Exercise, Twila Savigny, Walk for Truth and Reconciliation | Leave a comment

That Person

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Where do I need to stay when everything in me wants to flee? Where do I need to leave when everything in me wants to stay? I’ve been thinking about these questions from last week’s post and Tara Brach’s invitation … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Brown deer, Chickpea, 紫流, deer, Devon Rockola, Ephesians 4:2, Esther Hizsa, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sun Bo Kong, two friends, V-Cafe, Veganism, virtuous pie | Leave a comment

The Wisdom of Tara Brach and Pádraig Ó Tuama

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Last week’s Love Mischief led me to a talk by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Before I had a chance to listen to it, this short video from Tara Brach landed in my inbox. What came up for me as I listened … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Elizabeth Bowen, Esther Hizsa, Imagining Peace, In the Shelter, Joseph Campbell, Krista Tippett, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, receptive presence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Travelling Light | 4 Comments

The Big Reveal

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

(Warning: This video contains strong language.) Comedian Hannah Gadsby begins her new show, Douglas, by telling her audience what to expect. “This way I can meet your expectations–or alter them,” she says with a smile. Gadsby goes on to say … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged autism, big reveal, Book of Genesis, Esther Hizsa, Hadrian Hizsa, Hannah Gadsby, Kelly Dycavinu, Kie Miller, Knit Together, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, Psalm 139:13-14a, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

The Way God Is Transforming Me

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Even your own life is not your business. It is also God’s business. Leave it to God. –Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets So I left my life in God’s hands and trusted that if I kept listening to God’s still small … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Colossians 1:26-27, Esther Hizsa, Esther's collage, Frederick Buechner, God's business, Kristin Neff, Mustard Seed, Radical Compassion, self-compassion, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Telling Secrets, Transformation, Wendy Linnington | 1 Comment

Fear and Grace

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

As soon as we gathered on the screen, I felt nervous. Insecurity jumbled my words and hid others. The twelve faces in front of me belonged to the facilitators of Living from the Heart, and I was in charge of … Continue reading →