Category Archives: Poetry

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

Let

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, and God saw that the light was good. God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters” and “let the water under the sky be … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Book of Genesis, Genesis 1, Kei Miller, meditation, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

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 →