Category Archives: Mindfulness

I Want to See

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“If a man [or woman] born blind were told about the nature of the colour yellow, he would understand absolutely nothing, no matter how much instruction he received. Since he never saw these colours, nor their like, he would not … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Climate change, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., Fr.Marko Rupnik, Jesus healing the blind man, Katharine Hayhoe, Krista Tippett, On Being, Saving Us, spiritual director Burnaby | Leave a comment

Doing Things that Don’t Spark Joy

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I tend to avoid doing things that don’t spark joy. These jobs end up at the bottom of my To Do list and don’t make a fuss until a deadline pinches them and they squeal. I groan. Oh bother. Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Mindfulness, Reflections, Songs, Stories, Writing | Tagged Carrie Newcomer, Esther Hizsa, Holy as the Day Is Spent, Housework again, Jesus collecting the disciples, Luke 5:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the Italian voice | Leave a 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

Borderline

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

On a run, I wondered what I would share for my check-in that afternoon at the peer supervision group I attend with other spiritual directors. Typically when we check in, we don’t just share what’s at the surface of our … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Borderline, Devil's Backbone, Dr. Shaun Murphy, Esther Hizsa, Gustave Thibon, Katherine May, Kristin Neff, Mitch Barrie, self-compassion, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, The Good Doctor | 3 Comments

With Christ, I Die

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.— Colossians 3:3 In the silence,I close my eyesand die. I releaseall I loveall I desire,all I wanted to doall I wished to becomeall that is not resolved.My … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Acts 17:28, Centre for Action and Contemplation, Colossians 3:3, death, Earl, Esther Hizsa, extinguished, fear of death, Good Friday, James Finley, Mechthilde of Magdeburg, Psalm 23, Silence, silent prayer, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | 4 Comments

Will I Enter This Holy Week?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As Jesus pauses before he enters Jerusalem,I pause here. In the silence we share, I descend from head to heartand pass through the doorwayof Loveinto Oneness and rest in my Beloved,the Ground of our being. As Jesus opens his eyes and … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Father Thomas Keating, Holy Week, James Finley, Mary Mrozowski, meditation, Mindfulness, presence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Theophan the Recluse, Thich Nhat Hanh, Welcoming Prayer | Leave a comment

What Brought You Here?

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“What brought you here?” you may ask. How was I able to finally lose weight and take better care of my body? Now that’s a long story, and you’d need to read my books and blog posts to follow my … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Overeating, Reflections, Resource, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Writing | Tagged alicia.kowalski, Anthony de Mello, arriving, Brad Yates, Brene Brown, Cheryl Richardson, Crispin Semmens, Donna Varnau, Esther Hizsa, Food Revolution Network, Glennon Doyle, Hafiz, Ignatius, Jessica Ortner, Journey's End, Justin Michael Williams, Kristin Neff, Mary Mrozowski, Nick Ortner, One year nearer to heaven, Pema Chodron, perfect peaches, plant-based diet, Radical Compassion, Redeemed & Forgiven, Richard Rohr, Rosie the Riveter, Rumi, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephen Pougas, Steve Bell, Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas keating, Thomas Quine, Valarie Kaur, weight loss, Yoga with Adriene | Leave a comment

Drawing a Path to the Centre

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I once found a labyrinth drawn on the sand at low tide. The couple who created it were delighted that someone came at the right time to enjoy it. I walked the winding path to the centre and out again … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, labyrinth, Living from the Heart, Mindfulness, present moment, Second Beach La Push Washington, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thich Nhat Hanh, Yoga, Yoga with Adriene | Leave a comment

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 →