Category Archives: Mystical

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

. . . we start to notice the dynamics of this welling up [of the longing for God] out of the most fundamental day-by-day realities of our life, in our daily intimacy or lack thereof, our physical health or lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Artotem, Christopher Owen, Different, Doug Ellis, Esther Hizsa, Giving Hands, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola, James Finley, Kodiak and the butterfly, Principle and Foundation, Purgation, Rachel Garrett, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Rolling Stones, The Seven Story Mountain, Thomas Merton, You can't always get what you want | 2 Comments

Perfectly Me

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Finally, I’m coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am, that I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself. . . . The unaccepted self that stands … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Anthony de Mello, Apple on a tree, Esther Hizsa, Greg Clarke, James Finley, Kristina Servant, Matthew 5:48, Pomme, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Merton, Turning to the Mystics | Leave a comment

In Christ, I Rise

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.— Colossians 3:3 Hidden in Christ, I rise.I leave the tomb of freedomand emerge awakened to Love.For an eternal moment, I tasted the completeness of it,the exquisite settledness of … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Center for Action and Contemplation, Colossians 3:3, Easter poem, Esther Hizsa, graced discontent, James Finley, resurrection, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | Leave a comment

Hidden with Christ in God

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.–Colossians 3:3 (NIV) She is deadbut not lost.She is hidden with Christ in God–consummatedwholeonedecomposing and becomingsoil.The grain of wheat fell to the earth and died. In the tomb of the earthshe is … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Center for Action and Contemplation, Colossians 3:3, Easter poem, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, soil, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tina Reynolds, Turning to the Mystics | Leave a comment

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 Story Do You Need to Return to?

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“Something in you gets irritated when you think about anyone being a victim,” Donna said in a focusing session hours after I wrote last week’s blog post. “Yes. It’s like a painful ball in my throat.” “You might want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Lent, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Cloud of Unknowing, Donna Varnau, Esther Hizsa, focusing, Jaison Cianelli, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Hard Lesson, Thomas Hawke, Warm Embrace, William-Adolphe Bouguereau | 2 Comments

What Can I Bring Him?

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; –Christina Rosetti, In the Bleak Mid-Winter Oftentimes it is easier … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Christina Rosetti, Esther Hizsa, Illuminated Advent Retreat, In the Bleak Midwinter, Jan Richardson, Kyle Gregory Devaras, Nativity, Night Sky, Ruth Monette, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, violscaper | 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 →

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

In the Shadows

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Those who have sat in the darkness know how the shadows give way to desire. Without sight, without our heads swimming with the images of what others tell us we want, we can turn our gaze inward and search our … Continue reading →