Category Archives: Mystical

On This Mountain

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Last week I talked about deadlines closing in on me. One of them was SoulStream’s Living from the Heart course. It would be my first time co-facilitating a six-day intensive in spiritual formation, and I wanted to prepare well for it. Shortly before I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians 3;18, An Open Gate, bruised reed, Isaiah 25:6-9, Isaiah 42:3, Living from the Heart, Lodge at Twin Creeks, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 122:1 & 2, Psalms for Praying, Rachel Hartland, smouldering wick, SoulStream, Transformation, unveiled faces | Leave a comment

God Present, as Promised

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

During a restless night, I felt like the Israelites again. All the things I have to do were advancing toward me with their sharp spears, while my heels backed into the Red Sea. The cold reality of deadlines lapped at my … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical | Tagged anxiery, deadlines, flow, Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God, river, Rushing Water, Simon Varwell, Tofino untouched, Tony Horabin | Leave a comment

Night Crossing

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Imagine you are in your favourite place, the instructions for the prayer read. Perhaps it is on a beach or in a cosy cabin. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? Are you alone or with others? After you have relaxed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged Contemplation of Place, Ian hoar, Jessica Gardner, John 1:1-3, Kimmeridge, Nan C. Merrill, Night Sailing, Night Sky, praying with the imagination, Psalm 18:10, Psalms for Praying, Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh | 1 Comment

Just Be Still

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

“Be still, and know that I am God,” says the psalmist. Nearly every Thursday evening, our contemplative group gathers to do just that. Of course there is time for fellowship, reflection and songs, but we also pray in silence for … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer | Tagged be still, centering prayer, Cloud of Unknowing, Ephesians 3;20, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Kelly Dycavinu, Knit Together, Moonbeams, Psalm 46:10, silent prayer, William Johnson | Leave a comment

Me and My Shadow

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I am hesitant to confess this to you, because when I do, you will find evidence that it’s true. And where that leads, well, that makes me both nervous and hopeful. So here it is: I am pretty self-centred. I often put myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Daniel Bonnell, David Benner, Glimpse of and Angel, Lolowaro974, Me and My Shadow, Noon Prayer, self-centred, self-centredness, Shadows, snuggling up to God, SoulStream, Surrender to Love | 2 Comments

God, Here?

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

John the Baptist looks forlorn. I can almost hear him sigh. He is so discouraged by the Messiah, who isn’t what he expected, that he cannot see the beauty around him or the Lamb of God beside him. This painting has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit | Tagged Aukje Bos-Geertsema, Closer Than My Breath, despair, discouragement, God here, God's love, hopelessness, John the Baptist, Mindy Ogden, Philippians 4;5, Sarah Yungwirth, Thin Places | Leave a comment

Thin Places

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

God Is Waiting There I know a place where God dwells, the heart whispers. Let us go there. Why, God is everywhere, the head replies. There is no place where God is not. Yes, says the heart, but there are thin places where … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Bowen Island, God's love, Jaison Cianelli, Mike Stewart, No Crowds Present, Psalm 139, Psalm 84:1-4, Thin Places, Tofino, Tony Horabin, Transformation, Vancouver Island | 3 Comments

A Retreat with God

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

As I prepared to go to Bowen Island for a three-day retreat, I got a divine nudge. “Leave your laptop at home,” God seemed to say. “Just come and be with me.” But I couldn’t possibly write much without my electronic friend. Hmm. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Bowen Island, Fresh Wind Press, God's love, Jeremiah 31:3, Kathrin Burleson, Mike Stewart, Neil Brock, No Crowds Present, rest, retreat, work | 1 Comment

The Unending Miracle of Love

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I felt my heart “strangely warmed,” like what happened to John Wesley at Aldersgate in 1738 when he knew for certain that he was saved, The same thing happened to the two travellers on the road to Emmaus. While they didn’t recognize the risen Christ walking … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mystical, Popular Posts, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged embracing God, Emmaus Road, Fred, heart strangely warmed, Jaison Cianelli, John Wesley, Luke 24:35, mystical experience, The Cloud of Unknowing, unending miracle of love, Warm Embrace | 5 Comments

The Secret Place

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I was in New Life’s Community Free Store the other day and found a book called The Ice Cream Store. I scooped (!) it up. I loved reading Alligator Pie to my kids when they were young. Here was another book written by … Continue reading →