Discernment

The art of appreciating the gifts we have

been given and discovering how best to use
them/share them.
Discovering where my talents meet the
worlds deepest hungers
What it is NOT: finding the divine blue
print and then complying with it.
Ignatian Discernment
Step one: Ask for openness to Gods presence in
your life.
Step two: Imagine various outcomes of the
particular decision. What would it be like if?
Step three: Examine the feelings that arise in you
as you imagine each out come. Which scenario
brings consolation or feelings of desolation?
Consolation: an affective
movement that draws us to God
that helps us to be
less centered upon
ourselves
to be open to others in
generosity, service,
and love
Desolation: an affective
movement of being drawn away
from God and of the Spirit
Consolation
Growth, creativity, genuine fullness of life
& love
Sense of freedom
Feelings of courage & strength
Sense of peace
In tune with deepest self
Inner and outer harmony
Desolation
Sense of alienation
Feeling unfulfilled, a failure
At odds with others
Stung by remorse, guilt
Hopelessness, inner darkness, restlessness
Life ceases to have meaning
Step four:
Pray for confidence to listen to the Spirit
Pray for the courage to respond to this
inner call
a call manifested in talents, heart wishes,
personal situations, opportunities, reality
How do we know our truest self?
Regular reflection
Journaling
Conversations with a trusted friend
Daily recognition of Gods presence in the
feelings & actions of our day (Ignatius
recommended a daily examen of
consciousness)
Ignatian Discernment
The framework: time
The tools: head & heart
The cornerstone: values
The context for Ignatius: faith
& inner freedom
Disordered Attachments
Freedom requires indifference:
detachment from disordered
desires/attachments that prevent us from
hearing or doing what God is inviting us to
do
Eyes to see, Ears to hear,
Feelings & Thinking
Biography as Theology (McClendon): the
conviction that God is present, is revealed
in the experiences & events of human life
Authenticity & honesty
Openness
Imagine: what if I made this
choice
How would I feel?
What would I gain?
What would I lose or miss?
How would it affect me? Others?

Imagine: what if I made this
other choice?