Latest
Yes, And: How Improv Teaches Radical Acceptance and Love
Improvisational theatre and Ignatian spirituality share profound connections through their emphasis on radical acceptance, presence in the moment, and collaborative co-creation. The principles of improv—particularly "yes, and"—mirror spiritual practices of detachment, discernment, and finding the sacred in unexpected places.
Ignatian Basics
The First Virtue: St. Ignatius on the Power of Gratitude
Gratitude forms the cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality, establishing the proper relationship between the gift-giver God and humans as recipients rather than takers. This fundamental orientation shapes our entire spiritual life, fostering virtues like humility and generosity whilst providing a powerful antidote to anxiety and negativity.
Discernment
Jesus’ Approach? Trust Over Control
While institutions often create complex rules to protect "simple" people, Jesus did the opposite: he kept the law simple while honoring human complexity. His radical approach trusted people's capacity for growth and authentic relationship with God, offering core values rather than elaborate regulations.
Awareness
The Spiritual Neuroscience of Revenge: Choosing Freedom Over Retaliation
Neuroscience research reveals that revenge activates the same reward circuits in our brains as addictive drugs, keeping us trapped in what Ignatian spirituality calls the "false self." Faith-based practices like prayer and meditation literally rewire the brain for mercy over retaliation, offering a path to the spiritual freedom that comes when we choose forgiveness over the ego's demand for revenge.
Finding Hope in Troubled Times
In an era of societal anxiety and political fear, authentic spiritual hope provides an anchor through connection to our inner centre where we meet God. This hope, as modelled by Simeon and Anna, emerges through joy and active compassion, enabling us to remain present to both suffering and possibility.
Read More
Beyond Busy: A Theological Vision of True Leisure
Our culture commodifies time, but moments of genuine rest can become encounters with true reality. Through five theological principles—gift, freedom, contemplation, Sabbath, and anticipation—we discover that leisure isn’t about escaping reality but about entering more deeply into it, where we encounter our true identity as beloved children of God rather than mere productive units.
Read More
Finding God in Life: Between Meaning and Mystery
Prayer is more about relationship with the divine than a means of control, though humans naturally seek to make meaning from random and profound moments alike. Embracing life’s mysteries while finding authentic meaning requires moving beyond simple answers to deeper questions of faith and existence.
Read More
The Right to Silence: Preserving Quiet in a Noisy World
Silence, once abundant, has become an endangered resource in our noisy world, impacting our spiritual, mental, and societal well-being. The power of quiet as a spiritual practice and its unequal distribution in society underscore the need to cultivate and protect moments of silence in our daily lives and communities.
Read More
In the Beginning, God Welcomed: A Biblical View of Hospitality
Hospitality is a sacred, transformative practice rooted in God’s own welcoming nature, echoing from creation to Christ, and inviting us to embody divine welcome in our daily lives.
Read More
From Outcast to Disciple: Bartimaeus’ Journey of Faith
Bartimaeus, a blind man, experiences a profound transformation through his encounter with Jesus. His story invites us to reflect on our own moments of spiritual awakening and the courage it takes to follow Christ.
Read More
Kids Journal
This guide will offer you a process and framework for discerning a particular decision using the approaches and prayer methods in the Ignatian tradition.
