Category Archives: Spiritual Direction

Safe

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“You are joy. You’re our hope. You are gen-tle-ness.”  Then I heard the Poor Clares sing, “You are safe-ty” and teared up. I noticed the impact the word “safety” had on my body and remembered a similar sensation I’d had … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, community, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Decomposing

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Where do I need to stay when everything in me wants to flee? As soon as I began asking myself this question, one answer came to me, but I wasn’t brave enough to write about it. Silence. Silence is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Way God Is Transforming Me

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Even your own life is not your business. It is also God’s business. Leave it to God. –Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets So I left my life in God’s hands and trusted that if I kept listening to God’s still small … Continue reading →

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Remaking History

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

We were about to make Canadian history: the first Living from the Heart course day on Zoom. Audrey, Brent and I had put in extra hours rearranging the material, learning how to do break out rooms, and prepping the participants. … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Being Counted

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“I talked to a nurse practitioner about my gastric reflux,” I said to my spiritual director. “I changed my diet, don’t eat after supper and raised the head of our bed. And that’s not all I’ve been doing to care … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Cave

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Pain. Sharp, deep and relentless. That’s what I feel when I’ve been treated unfairly. I keep wondering why they did that to me? I can imagine that it’s hard for them to admit they made a mistake. If I confronted … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Forgiveness

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“I’m so sorry!” I said to my Christmas cactus when I brought it home from my book launch in November. I wanted to brighten the room by putting some flowers on a table behind me when I was being interviewed. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Arms Wide Open

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Last week I was in Cochrane, Alberta attending a week-long course for spiritual directors. The first night I anticipated the Will-I-fit-in? jitters, but instead, I found myself unconcerned about whether I belonged or not. I was beginning to relax into … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, community, Humour, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Seed Is Born

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

“Think of a situation that takes up considerable time and energy,” Jeff Imbach said to the participants at the Living from the Heart intensive last week.  We were at Rivendell Retreat Center on Bowen Island, sitting in a circle, opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Prayer, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment