Tag: discernment
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.
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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.
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Finding God in the Algorithm: A Non-Dualistic Approach to AI
Western Christianity often approaches artificial intelligence with anxiety rooted in dualistic thinking that separates the spiritual from the material, human from machine. Non-dualistic elements within Christian traditions, particularly Ignatian spirituality, offer a more integrated vision that can help us engage with AI as a potential extension of divine creativity rather than a threat to human uniqueness.
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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.
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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.
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From Ego to God: Bridging Secular Wisdom and Ignatian Discernment
Human civilization’s secular struggle to choose long-term good over immediate gratification aligns with Ignatian spirituality’s emphasis on discernment and seeking the greater glory of God.
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Binding and Loosing: A Fresh Look at Jesus’ Words
Was Jesus truly giving permission to retain sins? Was his mission not all about unbinding, forgiving, and setting free?
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Narratives of the Soul: Unearthing Our Desires through Story
Knowing our desires and fears can shape our life’s journey. Through archetypal stories like fairy tales, we can begin to name our longings and begin to map out our journey to life in the divine.
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Time Rebels: Ignatian Discernment and Our Future Selves
How can we expand personal discernment into a process that considers how my choices affect generations to come? Being a ‘time rebel’ expands our view beyond the present, considering how God’s project unfolds far beyond me here and now.
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Navigating Life with God: More Than a Divine GPS
Ignatian spirituality encourages us to be active partners with God, rather than just blindly following turn-by-turn directions.
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The 5 Keys of Discernment
Use the five keys of discernment to find clarity and direction in all your decisions.
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Pope Francis on Discernment
Pope Francis’ recent catechises on discernment offers some helpful perspectives on Ignatian decision-making, including the importance of time, setbacks, desire, and self-knowledge.
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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.
