Tag Archives: SoulStream

The Dance of a Loving Community

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“We find it difficult to admit our faults and failings,” Doug Schroeder, SoulStream‘s director, said in a reflection entitled “The Gift of My Imperfect Self.” I read that while I was away co-facilitating a Living from the Heart intensive. During that week, I also noticed that I … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Bakeys Foods, community, crack in everything, Doug Schroeder, edible utensils, Esther Hizsa, Hans Thoma, John 13:34, Kinderreigen, Leonard Cohen, Living from the Heart, Narayana Peesapaty, rejection, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Here? Again?!

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

While I was co-facilitating a week-long intensive on spiritual formation, I noticed a familiar feeling: the desire to protect myself. It caused me to subtly close myself from God and others. Once I recognized what I was doing, I took a deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, Joel Olives, Living from the Heart, Martha Carlough, Rivendell Retreat Centre, Salzburg Cross, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand Again | 5 Comments

Resting and Rowing

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Perhaps last week’s post left you thinking about that age-old question: How much of our transformation is up to God and how much is our responsibility? Thinking of this in terms of a boat that is going from one shore to another, we might ask: How … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Benedictines, Esther Hizsa, Matthew 7:11, Northumbria Community, Rule of Life, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Peace, Be Still

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Mark’s gospel says that one evening Jesus got into a boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. He was exhausted after a day of teaching and healing and fell asleep on a cushion at the back of … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, Jesus calms storm, McCrimmon Publishing, Soren Kierkegaard, SoulStream, SoulStream founders, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Imbach, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | 2 Comments

Brave Thoughts

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

So I went as I was to the annual gathering of SoulStream, our dispersed contemplative community. In an afternoon session, Andrea, one of SoulStream’s founding partners, read this quote from Gregory Boyle‘s Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Overeating, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Andrea Kastner, Dave Gill, Esther Hizsa, Gail Koombes, ginger snap bake-off, Greg Boyle S.J., kinship, Shauna Gill, Song of Songs 2;14, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stuart Williams, success, Tattoos on the Heart, Thorny Beauty | 2 Comments

Naked and Unashamed

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

God’s been listening to my thoughts again–not just the chatter in my head but the deep sighs of my heart. You know those dreams where you’re scrambling to make something happen, it’s not coming together, and time’s running out? I’ve experienced that now … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Overeating, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged Abreha and Atsbeha Church, Adam and Eve, All Life, ashamed, Esther Hizsa, Garden of Eden, John Bell, naked, Road Fun, Ron Guest, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Take Me as I Am | 3 Comments

Longing for More Life

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If you’ve read my posts lately, you may have noticed that God has been gently widening my view and inviting me “to see all people as my kin, all living beings as my flesh.”* As I do this, I’ve been challenged to turn from self-interest … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Clowns and Characters, Corinthians 3:17-18, Esther Hizsa, Eyes of My Heart, Gail Purdy, glory, leg hold traps, Mother Goose, Nancy Bailey, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding LIght | Leave a comment

DIY Prayer Retreat #6: Praying with Our Senses at the Beginning of a New Year

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Nearly every month I gather with friends for a silent retreat. It has been a rich experience. I explained how it works here. Thanks to Ann Green, who helped me put this retreat together. Supplies needed: Jelly Bellies (5 per person) … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Abbey of the Arts, Anne Yungwirth, Beau Considine, Christine Valters Paintner, Esther Hizsa, First Bird Back, Gemma Rest, Gemma Trust, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Goldfinch, House Finch, Isaiah 43:16-19, Jelly Bellies, leaf, Living from the Heart, Lulu Lovering, Matthew 4:18-22, Pied Beauty, Psalm 34:8, seved mostafa zamani, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, Splash, The Artist's Rule, Visio Divina, Wicked Sushi | 1 Comment

Undoing My Life

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m still thinking about the “Oh, no!” I heard when a toy car went over the edge of the coffee table and crashed. I imagine that a lot actually, when I fear going over the edge of acceptance and falling into a pit of rejection. Many things–gaining weight, … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged Cerus Scarf, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jagrap, Jeff Imbach, La Marseillaise, let go of identity, Living from the Heart, rejected one, Roberto Ferrari, Sottosopra, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony & Wayne, Undoing | 6 Comments

God in the Dark: Theory

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

My biking siblings and me: Harry, Sylvia, me, and Ron Every couple of years my siblings, Fred and I go on a three-day bike trip. The first trip we biked from Banff to Jasper, the second was a 400 km section of … Continue reading →