Tag Archives: spiritual director

Keeping Vigil

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I’m awake in the middle of the night again. A sadness dogs me until I get up and listen to it. In the silence I hear a regret that I was not present. That evening I had a meal with friends. I conversed … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged being present, Efrain Almeida, Esther Hizsa, God's presence, helplessness, Judy van derVelden, Our Lady of Vladimir, Psalm 139:12, Rain on my window, Rodrigo Soldon, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

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

Insight and Encounter

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

When my friend’s granddaughter “Amy” was diagnosed with high functioning autism, she and her family felt like they’d cracked a code. They finally understood why Amy interacts with the world the way she does. With these insights, she could make … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged Arlen Redekop, encounter, Esther Hizsa, False Creek Sole Food farm, Father Richard Soo, insight, Kelly Dycavinu, Knit Together, Michael Ableman, presence, Randy Shore, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Street Farm: Growing Food Jobs and Hope on the Urban Frontier. | 3 Comments

I Wonder What’s Under

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

As I listen to directees share their struggles and listen to my own, I notice that there’s a strata to our feelings and desires. Like an archaeological dig, the top layer–the first one we experience–gets our attention. It’s the hurt right under … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Luke 13:18-19, Mustard Seed, praying with our emotions, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wendy Linnington | 3 Comments

This Hero’s Journey

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I love being the hero. I want to be the one that fixes the problem or has the answer. If someone is in great need, I find myself ruminating about how that need can be met. Meanwhile, if someone else meets that need, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, awareness, Esther Hizsa, Free Store, hero's journey, Joan of Arc, New Life Community Church, Psalm 121, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation, Wednesday Lunch Club | 3 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

What Am I Waiting For?

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

As I mentioned last week, stillness is not something I easily gravitate toward. When I do try to be still, fleeting and few are the moments when I’m “walking on water,” blissfully free from distraction. Even though I know (and teach) that God is … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Another day in paradise, Anthony de Mello, Arne Hulstein, Candles, Carlo Scherer, centering prayer, Christian Exercises in Eastern Form, Esther Hizsa, Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Imago Dei, John the Baptist, Sadhana, silent prayer, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 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

Held

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This picture called to me from the table covered with photos at a silent retreat earlier this year. I wasn’t sure why until I sat with it in prayer. What stood out for me at first was the bronze colour. It … Continue reading →