Category Archives: Poetry

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

What Would You Like to Do?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“I don’t want to be here,” my insides were shouting. For months, I disregarded my feelings and kept doing what I should, what a good Christian would. Then in Advent, God, who hears my thoughts and feels my feelings, asked … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Coleman Barks, 紫流, Dog & Cat, Essential Rumi, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer retreat, Let there be light, quatum bunny, Rumi, Sad_Creature, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, The Guest House | 8 Comments

At the Edge of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

I stand at the edge of a virgin year, hallowed with a light dusting of snow. Skates in hand, I hope the ice is thick enough the surface smooth enough my ankles strong enough to do something beautiful. But I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Poetry, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Benson Kua, David Ward, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Frozen Lake, ice skates, John Knox Christian School, New Year, patient trust, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony Webster, trust the slow work of God, Wendy Pertulla | 10 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 →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 3ter Advent, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan Richardson, myrealnameispete, Parker Palmer, shadow, shy soul, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Joyful Mysteries and Silent Dreams

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“Let there be Esther,” I heard God pronounce, speaking right into my life-long struggle to exist. During the Ignatian prayer retreat I was leading last week, I had a chance to pray with one of my “joyful mysteries.” As I … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Book of Genesis, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, JIm Kwik, Joyful Mysteries, Kei Miller, Let there be light, Pádraig Ó Tuama, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, Zephaniah 3:17 | 5 Comments

Imperceptibly Shaped

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged All Points Land Design, chestnut tree, eltpics, Esther Hizsa, Javan Kerby Bernakevitch, Jo Tobias, permaculture, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, regenerative agriculture, Richard Powers, RootShootSoils, soil regeneration, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Need to Grow, The Overstory | 2 Comments

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

The Big Reveal

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

(Warning: This video contains strong language.) Comedian Hannah Gadsby begins her new show, Douglas, by telling her audience what to expect. “This way I can meet your expectations–or alter them,” she says with a smile. Gadsby goes on to say … Continue reading →