Category Archives: Stories

An Invitation to Pray Naked in Front of a Full-Length Mirror

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

I think it is important to pray naked in front of a full-length mirror sometimes, especially when you are full of loathing for your body. Maybe you think you are too heavy. Maybe you have never liked the way your … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged apples, Esther Hizsa, François Clemmons, Fred Rogers, Galatians 5:22, Henry Hemming, Matthew 3:8, Officer Clemmons, Philippians 1:6, spiritual director Burnaby, stick person in front of mirror, Tsahi Levent-Levi, Won't You Be My Neighbor? | 5 Comments

Sometimes We Want Vengeance Too

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

When I look at this painting of Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth by James Tissot, I see a lot of anger. I can understand why. When Jesus read those beloved words from Isaiah 61 about the Spirit of the Lord being on … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged #anger, Brian Zahnd, compassion, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 61:1-3, James Tissot, Jesus reads from the scroll, Luke 4:14-21, nonviolence, Poverbs 17:17, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, vengeance | 3 Comments

Allowing the Path to Appear

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Fred and I spent four days on the Oregon coast last week. It rained on and off during the long drive down. When we checked into our motel, the host at the front desk asked if we were ready for liquid … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Learning to Pray, Macrina Wiederkehr, Marcia Fretheim, Oregon, presence, Rod Janz, Seaside, Seven Sacred Pauses, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, Tillamook Head, Velma Frye, What is | Leave a comment

God Expands My World

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

My world’s gotten small. It happened so subtly, I hardly noticed. But now that I’m aware of it, I can see signs of shrinkage–not caring that I don’t care, taking things personally, being angry about something because of its effect … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Caroline, Doctrine of Discovery, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Kairos Blanket Exercise, Learning to Pray, Merton's Palace to Nowhere, residential schools, Rod Janz, small black bird, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Truth and Reconciliation | Leave a comment

Calls to Prayer

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Notice what you notice. You’ve heard me say that countless times in my book and blog. It’s become a contemplative practice for me ever since I prayed the Ignatian Exercises in 2012-13. I notice experiences that warm my heart. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged bellw, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Hold On, just.Luc, Mayor Hurley, Monica Brown, New Year's Resolutions, Ruth Monette, Soul of Christ, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, uroburos, warming centres, warming shelters | 3 Comments

DIY Retreat #12: Welcoming the New Year

Posted on December 29, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

This retreat was adapted from one prepared by Mei Chang, a SoulStream partner who is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator with a heart to offer contemplative spaces in urban areas. Instructions on how to plan a personal or group retreat … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 3:14-17, Joshua 4:1-9, little*star, Mei Chang, New Year, Peter, Reaching Out, Sitting in Silence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stones | 3 Comments

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 David G.Benner, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Plum leaves, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Nativity, Trevlig fjärde advent! | 3 Comments

Advent III: Mystery and Wonder

Posted on December 14, 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 spent a few hours on my last silent retreat gazing at the icon, Pantokrator: Jesus, Creator and Saviour … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent III, Ann Green, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Esther Hizsa, Luke 1:28, Pantokrator, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, Trevlig tredje advent! | 1 Comment

Advent II: Yearning

Posted on December 7, 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. A few weeks ago Fred and I had a Groupon for a restaurant in the Vancouver’s West End. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alfred DePew, Daniel Ladinsky, Davie Street, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Jeff Hitchcock, Odalisque, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, With that Moon Language, Yearning | 2 Comments

Advent 1: Interruption and Disappointment

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

What if we found new words for our Advent candle-lighting wreaths this year? Instead of the traditional Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, what words would you choose to mark each week in this season of waiting? Two words jump out at … Continue reading →