Category Archives: Spiritual Direction

Compassion Leads the Way

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

This is my last post about what happened on my 8-day silent retreat in July. If you haven’t read the previous ones, I encourage you to do that before you read today’s. I stood with the Trinity looking down at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Invited to Love

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

This is the fourth post about what happened on my 8-day silent retreat in July. If you haven’t read the previous ones, I encourage you to do that before you read today’s. I pray with Psalm 51 again, trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Love Is Our Birthright

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

This is the third post about what happened on my 8-day silent retreat in July. If you haven’t read the previous posts. I encourage you to do that before you read today’s. Erik suggested that I pray with Psalm 51. … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Best Day Ever

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

This is the second post about what happened on my 8-day silent retreat in July. If you haven’t read last week’s post, I encourage you to do that before you read today’s. “I’d like you to pray the third exercise … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Spiritual Direction, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advent IV: Presence

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Instead of the usual Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, I have chosen different words for each week in Advent this year. I’m feeling pretty good, then suddenly I’m not. I received an email, and in it, my friend tells me … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Mystical, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Right Where I Am

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I looked at this drawing of an injured bird and felt tender inside. I lingered for a while with that feeling and the sense of being held. Then, in the retreat’s spacious silence, I reflected on a poem by Mary … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Enliven Us

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Open in me the gates of the kingdom, I prayed before church on Sunday, hoping something in the service would enliven me. But God’s still, small enlivening was not in a hymn, the sermon or Eucharist as much as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I Love You More than Anything

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I love You more than anything. And when I am in my right mind I know this to be true  But You know it all the time. —Rob Des Cotes If actions speak louder than words, mine wouldn’t say I … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Rob Des Cotes, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Glorious Thing

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Two days before Christmas, I’m praying with the story of the shepherds. I imagine myself on a hillside with them, but I’m unaffected by the angels’ song. The shepherds hurry off to see this glorious thing that has happened, but I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Last Word

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I told my spiritual director about a recent experience of feeling like a bull in a china shop. In situations like this, I’m reminded of the Nissan Bluebird we briefly owned. Two decades ago when our family was sailing around … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments