Category Archives: Prayer

Stay Right Here

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Summer wasn’t finished.There were more mountains I wanted to climbwhen autumn came demanding, list in hand,reminding me of all the preparations to be madedeadlines to meetand commitments to honour.A rising tide of the urgenttriggered an internal tide of anxiety. “Breathe,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Charlie Day, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 30:15, Living from the Heart, Nelson Boschman, rising tide, Sasquatch Provincial Park, seagull, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stokes rx, stokes rx., The Growing Season, trust, Wet Feet | 3 Comments

A Beautiful Yes

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

In Celtic spirituality, there is the “Little Book” of scripture and the “Big Book” of creation. Fred and I have been sleeping and waking in the Big Book for twelve wonder-filled days. I am reminded, as I was on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 17:28, Banff, Esther Hizsa, Glacier National Park, llecillewaet, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Whyte Museum, Yoho | 2 Comments

Keep Watching

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I lean my head against Love’s chest,match the rhythm of Her breath,and enter the darkness. The light hurts my eyes. I see what others have done thatI haven’t.I notice habits I have thatthey don’t.I watch myself lose myselfdisappearand want a world with … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, False Self, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged blackberries, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Krista Tippett, Moonbeams, My Grandmother's Hands, On Being, Resmaa Menakem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

It Isn’t That Easy

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

It isn’t that easy. Jesus asks, “Are you coming?” I say, “Yes.” And then what? I’m not instantly empowered like a superhero released from the kryptonite of salt and sugar, egoic desires, or negative thoughts. Taking Jesus’ hand won’t prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Father Damian, feeling our feelings, Isaiah 43:2, John 16:33, just.Luc, kath, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Superhero invasion, waling on water | 1 Comment

Are You Coming?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the look of satisfaction on Jesus’ face. We just fed five thousand men, plus women and children, with one boy’s lunch of bread and fish. The scene continued to unfold in my imagination as I prayed with this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Overeating, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 10:5, Esther Hizsa, John 6:1-24, limiting beliefs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Internship | 3 Comments

Taking Time to Discern

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I heard it again as I signed onto Zoom. A heaviness in my chest said, I don’t want to do this. The leader of the Bible study greeted me as names appeared in squares, then faces. I felt a deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged discernment, Essentialism, Esther Hizsa, Greg McKeown, Guide to discernment, Heart's Desire, Mike Beales, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Ted Rheingold, Thich Nhat Hanh, Which way to Artlegarth | 1 Comment

Being Restored by Grace

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I enjoyed a nice break over Christmas and New Year’s. When a heavy snowfall slowed the world down even more, I noticed what it feels like in my body to relax, knowing nothing urgent needs my attention. Now that I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Black-capped chickadee, Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship. Community Fridge, Community fridge, Dawn Perry, Esther Hizsa, Falling Snow, Genesis 2, Matthew 28:20, Ron Bulovs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing, unending miracle of love, William Johnston | Leave a comment

I Love You. I’m Listening.

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We cannot live our lives constantly looking back, listening back, lest we be turned to pillars of longing and regret, but to live without listening at all is to live deaf to the fullness of the music…. Listen for him. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Best Friends, Desmond Tutu, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Insight Timer, Julian of Norwich, Loving and Listening to Yourself, New Year's, Sarah Blondin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, The Sacred Journey, Thomas Leuthard | Leave a comment

As You Step into the New Year

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

As 2021 comes to a close, I’m becoming more aware of what I’m leaving behind and what I want to take with me into the New Year. This year we’ve all had significant losses of one kind or another. We’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Resource | Tagged breath prayer, centering prayer, chair yoga, compline, Contemplative Outreach, Esther Hizsa, Michał Koralewski, New Year, New Year meditation, New Year reflection, Pema Chödrön, Rachael Moore, RAIN, Revelation 21:5, self-compassion, Sherry Zak Morris, snow angel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Tonglen, Valarie Kaur, vegan food, walk away, Yoga with Adriene | Leave a 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 →