Tag Archives: Pádraig Ó Tuama

The Valley of the Shadow of Blame

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Twenty-four hours before leaving on a bike trip, I had two conversations in which I learned that I’d hurt people I love very much. For the next three days, I was going to be alone with that thought for long … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Breaking Boundaries, contemplativechristian, Esther Hizsa, Gabor Maté, Ilya Kaminsky, Isaiah 52:1, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Pistang Gubat at Inosari Agro-forest Farm, Poetry Unbound, Sir David Attenborough, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Valley of the Shadow of Death, Tree planting, We Lived Happily During the War | Leave a comment

Being Vulnerable

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“How can you be so vulnerable?” readers have asked me over the years. That question makes me nervous. Am I too vulnerable? What criticism have I invited? Then I hear from these askers the most common response to my honesty: … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories, Writing | Tagged Brené Brown, Catherine Singleton, dandelion, Downton Abbey, Esther Hizsa, Gabor Maté, Glennon Doyle, In the Shelter, Krista Tippett, Living from the Heart, Maya Angelou, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Peter Ealey, Shame, Sia, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Wisdom of Trauma, Thomas Hübl, vulnerability, Vulnerability Ted Talk | 2 Comments

Let

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, and God saw that the light was good. God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters” and “let the water under the sky be … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Book of Genesis, Genesis 1, Kei Miller, meditation, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

Joyful Mysteries and Silent Dreams

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“Let there be Esther,” I heard God pronounce, speaking right into my life-long struggle to exist. During the Ignatian prayer retreat I was leading last week, I had a chance to pray with one of my “joyful mysteries.” As I … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Book of Genesis, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, JIm Kwik, Joyful Mysteries, Kei Miller, Let there be light, Pádraig Ó Tuama, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen, Zephaniah 3:17 | 5 Comments

The Wisdom of Tara Brach and Pádraig Ó Tuama

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Last week’s Love Mischief led me to a talk by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Before I had a chance to listen to it, this short video from Tara Brach landed in my inbox. What came up for me as I listened … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Elizabeth Bowen, Esther Hizsa, Imagining Peace, In the Shelter, Joseph Campbell, Krista Tippett, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, receptive presence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tara Brach, Travelling Light | 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 autism, big reveal, Book of Genesis, Esther Hizsa, Hadrian Hizsa, Hannah Gadsby, Kelly Dycavinu, Kie Miller, Knit Together, On Being, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, Psalm 139:13-14a, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

God Let Me Drift

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

At 8:55 am, I clicked on the link to the Zoom gathering of SoulStream‘s Leadership Team. I like to be early so I can greet each person as they arrive. I was feeling unusually peaceful. I’d given myself enough time … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Accent Inns, Adrift, Chris Mann, Esther Hizsa, Feather 2, Hello, Jim Champion, Leanne O'Sullivan, Leaving Early, Matthew 11:28, My Corona, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound, Scott Wylie, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thank U Frontline, United Way | 2 Comments

What My Heart Wanted to Hear

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

A friend asked if I had written any poems about loneliness. I hadn’t. Then I listened to Brad Aaron Modlin’s poem “What You Missed That Day You Were Absent from Fourth Grade” and Pádraig Ó Tuama talk about it. … Continue reading →