Category Archives: Mindfulness

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

A Big Problem and No Guarantees

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“What’s that?” I said, pointing to the profusion of what first appeared to be dust. Fred turned off the engine. Steam continued to billow out from under the hood, and an “Oh no!” clenched my stomach. We were in Manning … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, anxiety, car troubles, Esther Hizsa, Fred, Manning Park, Mark 4:39, Mt. Hozameen, radiator, Snow Camp, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephen Hui | 1 Comment

Inside a Living Temple

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“If your body is a living temple, you are inside that temple,” Donna Varnau said near the end of our guided meditation. I rested in my body-temple with deep gratitude. The belief that God is incarnate in all things is … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 6:19, Donna Varnau, Esther Hizsa, Focusing. Full Body Presence, Judith Blackstone, Michael Pravin, Namaste, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yoga | 1 Comment

Stepping into This Moment

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

To live mindfully in the present, I have to slow down and take deliberate steps. First, there is an awakening to this moment and noticing what is in it and me–what I see, feel, and think. I observe myself and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, Esther Hizsa, hand in Wild Grass, Jonathan Emmanuel Flores Tarello, lloyd Morgan, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 23, Psalms for Praying, Richard Wagamese, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Walkers!!! Ruun!!! | Leave a comment

Grace and Practice of the Present Moment

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Living in the present moment is a contemplative practice that has been difficult for me. You’ve heard me struggle with this in my blog posts. I am as addicted to thinking as I am to food. I’m constantly thinking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged awakening to now, Bernard Ruelle, Esther Hizsa, Goutte d'eau, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Martin LaBar, Practicing Presence, present moment, Raindrops on daly lily leaf, Rod Janz, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, This | 4 Comments

Convergence

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

When I wake in the morning and all through the day, you are there to comfort and lift me up. Even at night, when emptiness threatens, you fill me with yourself. At my mother’s breast and now that I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Lent, Mindfulness, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged acid reflux, bees, Celtic Daily Prayer, dandelions, Diet for a New America, Esther Hizsa, high cholesterol, John Robbins, Justin Michael Williams, Matthew 27:52-53, Northumbria Community, obesity, plant-based diet, pre-frontal cortex, pxfuel, Radical Compassion, Richard Rohr, Sachin Inamdar, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stay Woke, Sunrise, The Empty Tomb, The Universal Christ, Veganism | 6 Comments

Spaciousness

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

More and more I’ve noticed that I live on a continuum between panic and peace. A misplaced click makes a document disappear, and suddenly I’m in “fight, flight, or freeze. My body, mind, and focus are constricted; my ability to … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Death Star Trash Compactor, Diana Robinson, Esther Hizsa, Manoel Lemos, Palouse, Psalm 118:5, Psalm 31-7-8, Psalm 56:12-13, Psalm 18:19, spaciousness, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, the exponential benefits of trees, Transe of Anxiey, Tree of All Trades, wide-open spaces | 1 Comment

Embracing the Power I Have

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

If Jesus were my spiritual director and had read Becoming What I Eat and Drink, he wouldn’t ask me about my desire to be Mr. Rogers. He would ask me about the agitation I felt watching that scene from Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged cautious kitty, courage, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, jridgewayphotography, Living from the Heart, Probably Tomfoolery, Riik@mctr, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Great Realisation | Leave a comment

God Let Me Drift

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

At 8:55 am, I clicked on the link to the Zoom gathering of SoulStream‘s Leadership Team. I like to be early so I can greet each person as they arrive. I was feeling unusually peaceful. I’d given myself enough time … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Accent Inns, Adrift, Chris Mann, Esther Hizsa, Feather 2, Hello, Jim Champion, Leanne O'Sullivan, Leaving Early, Matthew 11:28, My Corona, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, Scott Wylie, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thank U Frontline, United Way | 2 Comments

A Meditation for These Uncertain Times

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Pause with me. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then take another. Continue to breathe slowly and deeply. Notice where your body feels tense and send your next breath there . . . to your shoulders, neck, … Continue reading →