Category Archives: Poetry

Certainty and Clarity

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We are gathered in a circle,and a question isplaced before us. Memories comevivid and sharpof feelingweighted by expectationconfined by shouldsinadequate when I failed. I sense a groaning, a churninga pushing againsta wanting release. I give words to my nocertainthat it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged ¡¡¡última pieza!!!, Center for Action and Contemplation, certainty, clarity, Cynthia Bourgeault, Esther Hizsa, Olga Berrios, puzzle, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Way | Leave a comment

I Am Fed

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

For me, church is often one long exercise of trying to stay present. Multiple times, my mind drifts off like a balloon rising far above the hymns, prayers, and readings. I find it again caught in a zephyr of thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged balloon, Claude St-Denis, Esther Hizsa, Kati Fleming, Krista Tippett, little girl with a balloon, Luke 6:20, Mary Oliver, newly hatched Barn Swallow, On Being, Sharon Salzberg, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, This Morning | 4 Comments

Five Hundred

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

five hundred postsover almost nine years one hundred and three months oflistening and feeling naming and holdingwhat I experience on my pilgrimage of life weekly episodes of reality TVhonouring what is and what isn’tsharing our common humanityand the love mischief of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 500 posts, Cirque Peak, Esther Hizsa, fireworks, Fred, Gracie, Lion's Gate Bridge, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

Holding My Tender Heart

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been afraid of rejectionmy whole life. Then I got rejectedtwicein one day. My head told me not to take it personally.It doesn’t reflect badly on them or me.It’s for the best. I continued on, but when I looked backmy … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged belonging, Centre for Action and Contemplation, diversity, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 40:11, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Lex McKee, Moonbeams, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Hawke, Wild Flower Garden, William-Adolphe Bouguereau | Leave a comment

Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peevedwhen Mary, between contractions,ordered him to close the doorthen,as soon as he did,wanted it open again. I wonder if,in that chorus of angels,one or two sang flatand if some shepherds,feeling and smelling sheepish,were hesitant to go. I wonder if–after Mary gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Humour, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Christmas as is, Christmas poem, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Neil Merton, Plum leaves, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a comment

What Are You Waiting For?

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I see in your soulwhat’s mirrored in mine.You’re waiting too for the pandemic to endto see everyone’s facesno proof required for the pain to stopthe days to get longerthe path to be clear for stuff to stop shaking up our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, dog in a manger, Dogs in waiting, Esther Hizsa, How the Light Comes, Jackie Bouchard, Jan L. Richardson, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, manger, Raj Deut, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, waiting | Leave a comment

Someone You Know but Never Met

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

The Canadian province of British Columbia on the Pacific coast declared a state of emergency on November 17 following massive floods and landslides caused by record-breaking rainfall in the previous several days. Four people have died as well as over … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, death toll animals, Drew Brayshaw, Esther Hizsa, flood in Abbotsford, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Mary Wolfe, Singing Shall Be My LIght, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Sunday in Advent | 1 Comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Advent, Advent Morning Retreat, Annunciation, Audrey Hoehn, Birds on a Wire, Brent Unrau, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Julie Falk, Love Poems from God, Open Gate, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila, Tym | 2 Comments

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

Begin Here

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Begin here, the mystics say.Humbly and honestly,name where you are,what you love,what you feel,and wait thereuntil the eyes of your heartadjustto the dark. God is right beside you,in and around,above and below.You don’t need to go anywhere elseto find God,to … Continue reading →