Tag Archives: spiritual director Vancouver

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

“Oh, No!”

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

When our grandson was a preschooler, he loved to line up his toy cars on the coffee table. He and his dad would drive them around imitating the sounds of engines starting, horns beeping and tires squealing. Inevitably, they would … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Reflections | Tagged car crash, Donald Lee Pardue, Esther Hizsa, fear, grief, loss, madais, Nan C. Merrill, psalm 91, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stone Angel | 3 Comments

DIY Retreat #5: When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline in the Ignatian tradition prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You can find other outlines under resources. Here’s an introduction. “When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her…” Welcome God’s Presence … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline | Tagged David Bowman, Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo, Hosea 11:1-11, Ignatian prayer, Innocence, Joy Richardson, prayer retreat, Psalm 13:1, Rembrandt, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Calling Forth the Divine

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Mom with Harry, Ron, me, and Sylvia in 1959 My parents were married on November 1, 1952, three weeks after Mom landed in Canada. Six years later, at the age of twenty-five, she had four children to look after and business accounts … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, False Self, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged calling forth the divine, Esther Hizsa, Luke 12:34, Matthew 13:44, Quest, Quest Food Exchange, Robert Farrar Capon, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Parables of the Kingdom | Leave a comment

Spinning and Waiting

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Ever since my book’s come out, I’ve been feeling anxious and vulnerable. I prayed for God’s comfort and the images of the Mountain Ash tree and the Salzburg Cross, and Hafiz’s love poem came to me. I sensed God saying, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged anxiety, E.P.Ewing, Esther Hizsa, o what a tangled web we weave, Psalm 130, spider web, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, waiting | Leave a comment

Weighted Blessing

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

The Mountain Ash tree in my parents’ backyard was heavily laden with berries. There must have been two hundred clusters of them. “Won’t they make a big mess when they fall off?” I asked my eighty-seven-year-old father. Dad reassured me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged Amanda Graham, Cedar Wax Wing, Elizabeth McKitrick, Hafiz, JPC.raleigh. Randen Pedersen, Just Sit There Right Now, Martha Carlough, Mountain Ash, Salzburg Cross, Second Nature Home, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

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

Balancing the Impossible

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m becoming wary of my false self and its admirable intentions. Now, when I think about doing something good, I ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it to enhance my reputation, bring personal gain, or help me feel good? Or am … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Burning Bush, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, false self, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:17-31, Micahel Cook, Principle and Foundation, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Leave a comment

Gravity

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“I’ve looked at your x-rays, and your teeth are fine,” the dentist said. “That toffee didn’t do any harm?” I read the look on his face. “I worry too much,” I said. He nodded. He’s right. I do worry too much. I … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, false self, gravity, John 12;32, Jupiter, LLacertae, moon, mystical elegance, Night skies, planets, Sharen, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Thomas Bresson | 3 Comments

DIY Prayer Retreat #4: A Basket of Fresh Bread

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

A few weeks ago, I gathered with friends for our monthly silent retreat. It was my turn to lead, and this is the outline I used. If you’d like to try one yourself, here’s how we do it. A … Continue reading →