Tag Archives: Bowen Island

The Journey of an Everyday Pilgrim

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I was preparing last week’s post, I felt nervous. I loved the concept of becoming more aware of God’s felt presence in my body, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to maintain the practice. What if this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged Bowen Island, Camino, Camino de Santiago, Discerning Hearts, Esther Hizsa, Examen, James Martin, Marcin Bajer, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing | 2 Comments

Advent III: Retreat

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Three cancelled appointments and a no show at Bible study gave me the breathing room I needed. I know that was You looking after me. Sometimes You’re about as quiet as a three-year-old trying to sneak up on mommy. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, John Pavlovitz, Josh Kelahan, Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, Nicholas A Tonelli, prayer retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

A Holy Place

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Of course I told my spiritual director what happened, and she listened compassionately as I talked and cried. She asked me to name my feelings and notice how they felt in my body. I told her that I felt betrayed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged betrayal, Bowen Island, Contemplative Outreach, Esther Hizsa, forgiveness, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 18:16, rejection, Scott Erickson, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Light of Failure, Welcoming Prayer | Leave a comment

A Punch in the Gut

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes self-awareness bubbles up gently and slowly expands to softly widen our world view and make more room for love to flow in and out of our hearts. Sometimes self-awareness comes like a punch in the gut. I know this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Lent, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13: 12-13, awareness, Bowen Island, Coco Love Alcorn, collage, Curator of Awesomeness, Esther Hizsa, Lectio Divina, Living from the Heart, Mark 8:22-25, Mary Wolfe, Matthew 5:43-44, Psalm 110, retreat, Scott Erickson, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Light of Failure, The River | 9 Comments

A Sense of God’s Presence

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This month I returned to Bowen Island to spend a few days alone with God. I hoped it would help me get through the dark months ahead. I didn’t have much of a sense of God’s presence until I passed by a church and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alan Feebery, Barbara Brown Taylor, Beeston Church, Bill Ingalls, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, FarelGab, Gerald May, Howth St.Mary's Church, Learning to Walk in the Dark, Luke 17:20-25, Metro Vancouver, Perseid meteor shower, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul | 3 Comments

Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim is available!

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I am excited to announce that my book, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, has been published and is available! To celebrate this long-awaited moment, today’s post is the first story in the book. Here’s more about how you can get a copy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Homelessness, Popular Posts, Prayer, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Bowen Island, Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness, Esther Hizsa, Homelessness Action Week, Psalm 84:5, Regent College, retreat, Rivendell, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Wanda Mulholland | 2 Comments

Thin Places

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

God Is Waiting There I know a place where God dwells, the heart whispers. Let us go there. Why, God is everywhere, the head replies. There is no place where God is not. Yes, says the heart, but there are thin places where … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Bowen Island, God's love, Jaison Cianelli, Mike Stewart, No Crowds Present, Psalm 139, Psalm 84:1-4, Thin Places, Tofino, Tony Horabin, Transformation, Vancouver Island | 3 Comments

A Retreat with God

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

As I prepared to go to Bowen Island for a three-day retreat, I got a divine nudge. “Leave your laptop at home,” God seemed to say. “Just come and be with me.” But I couldn’t possibly write much without my electronic friend. Hmm. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Bowen Island, Fresh Wind Press, God's love, Jeremiah 31:3, Kathrin Burleson, Mike Stewart, Neil Brock, No Crowds Present, rest, retreat, work | 1 Comment

A Mysterious Place of Meeting

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I spent three days on Bowen Island walking, praying, and watching the seagulls. I noticed that when one or two birds landed on the calm sea others followed. God seemed to be telling me that as I rest in him, others … Continue reading →