The Christian Century looks at the growing popularity of spiritual direction among mainline Protestants, especially pastors: More and more pastors have made spiritual direction a central part of their ministries. The spirituality shaped by spiritual direction might be of special importance to pastors, Reed observes, because the demands of ministry are such that pastors often [...]
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Ruth Workman, a spiritual director, describes how Ignatian prayer invigorated her prayer life: Next we were introduced to an Ignatian practice, a prayer of imagination. I was asked to read the passage where Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” I was then told to engage my senses. What did I see in [...]
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Joseph Tetlow, SJ, is one of the of the most respected and knowledgeable Ignatian spiritual directors. For years he guided the 250 Jesuit retreat houses around the world in his capacity as head of the Jesuit General’s Secretariat for Ignatian Spirituality. So when Fr. Tetlow says something unusual about spiritual direction, it’s a good idea [...]
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Susan Stabile, an Ignatian spiritual director and law professor, distinguishes between the desire that causes pain and the desire that motivates us: Attachment (what might be called disordered desire) always feels tumultuous, unsettling and lacking in peace. Deep desire has an element of peace in it and it pulls us generally forward rather than roiling [...]
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Paul Coutinho, SJ, an Indian Jesuit currently teaching at St. Louis University, has written two popular books How Big Is Your God? and Just as You Are. St. Louis University has released videos of four workshops on Ignatian spirituality that he gave last year to SLU staff. The topics are familiar, but Coutinho comes at [...]
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I’d like to respond to Autumn’s comment to my earlier post about living the “examen”ed life. She asks about what to do when it is difficult to find a spiritual director. Since she raises an important question I thought it more helpful to dedicate a new post to it, rather than bury my response below [...]
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Joseph Tetlow, SJ, is one of the Jesuits’ leading authorities on spiritual direction. For years he worked in Rome as head of the Society’s Secretariat for Ignatian Spirituality. In this video he talks about Ignatian prayer and why someone might want to have a spiritual director. Favorite quote: “Prayer is as natural to us as [...]
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Fear is the root of evil in the world, writes William Barry, SJ, in his book Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God. Thus, real religion must have a real answer to fear. He quotes this wonderful aphorism from the theologian John Macmurray: The maxim of illusory religion runs: “‘Fear not; trust in God and [...]
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One of the central exercises in the Spiritual Exercises is the meditation on “three types of people.” It invites us to give a long, searching look at how free we really are. It’s designed to help us achieve greater freedom by detaching ourselves from desires that entangle us. Lisa Kelly, an Ignatian Associate and blogger, [...]
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Spiritual direction comes in many sizes and flavors. What is distinctive about Ignatian spiritual direction? asks Brian O’Leary, SJ. He lists five elements: A theological vision rooted in the Spiritual Exercises; flexibility; a partnership; a focus on deep desires; and the rules for discernment. His essay is published in The Way, a journal of Ignatian [...]
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