Ignatian Discernment Institute

Our mission is to equip people of all vocations to live the spiritual life through St. Ignatius of Loyola's teaching on discernment of spirits.

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Today, Father Tim provides an example from the diary of St. Teresa of Avila about caring for our humanity. This example underscores the importance of caring for our body, as it also supports our spiritual life. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

We must be good stewards of our heath, so too much and too persistent non-spiritual desolation should get our attention. God calls us to do this for the sake of our spiritual lives, we must act if things feel "too much." #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

A certain amount of non-spiritual desolation is normal and even holy in a well-lived life. We will understand how normal of a circumstance this is, and of course that there is no shame in it. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Non-spiritual desolation can be the space where the enemy brings the further trap of spiritual desolation. Ignatius doesn't explicitly treat this topic in his Rules, but understanding this dynamic can help us guard ourselves further against spiritual desolation. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Father Tim continues by explaining how non-spiritual desolation can lead to spiritual desolation. Learning to manage non-spiritual desolation can be a tool to avoiding the potential spiritual desolation. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Spiritual desolation is just another part of what it means to live the spiritual life in a fallen, redeemed, and loved world. The remaining Rules for Discernment of Spirits help equip us to be aware of it, understand, and take action to reject it. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

What spiritual desolation is not: Ignatius does not speak of a deficiency in physical or emotional energy. These are of a natural or nonspiritual desolation. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Spiritual desolation, like spiritual consolation, is an experience at the level of the heart. The heaviness that we feel in it's various modes is the desolation, and the level at which it impacts our relationship with God makes it spiritual. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Today, Father Tim teaches us the difference between spiritual and non-spiritual desolation. In this opposite case when compared to consolation, the Enemy can work to bring spiritual desolation by way of the non-spiritual experience. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

When considering what desolation is, we must understand that Ignatius specifically describes movements on a spiritual level. To the degree that desolation impacts our relationship with God, it is spiritual. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Spiritual desolation is a real obstacle to our journey. When we become disheartened, step away from prayer, or slow our efforts to go where God is leading are crucial moments in our spiritual lives - rejecting spiritual desolation helps us run this race well. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

A key lesson of Rule 4 is to engage with desolation in a way that allows us to truly understand it, because by understanding it we can learn to reject it. This is what helps our growth in the spiritual life. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Ignatius's teaching on desolation is one of the most valuable resources that he offers for our spiritual life. This month we will learn more together. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Spiritual desolation is the real obstacle to those who sincerely want to move toward God. When applied correctly, this rule helps us reject this desolation and can transform our spiritual lives. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Today we explore the definition of spiritual desolation. Reverently, we have all found ourselves in this situation at some time. Understanding how each of these spiritual situations play out in our lives is the first step to learning to take the next right step. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Rule 4 acts as a companion to Rule 3, describing its exact opposite: spiritual desolation. Join us this month to learn more about this important area of discernment, and please share this with anyone who may benefit. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

Father Tim introduces us to Rule 4, which is the exact opposite of what we learned in Rule 3. Spiritual desolation feels like a darkness of soul, and as we learn more about it we can understand how to reject it and continue to move toward God. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

In Rule 4, St. Ignatius explores the experience contrary to spiritual consolation - we call this spiritual desolation. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

In Rule 4, we study the contrary of the third rule which St. Ignatius calls spiritual desolation. In studying the darkness of desolation and all that comes with it, we can understand this spiritual situation and in the rules to come learn to be set free from it. #LearnDiscernment

[Ignatian Discernment Institute @DiscernmentInst]

We conclude our teaching on Rule 3 by exploring the differing intensity of spiritual consolation, and how it can also vary in duration. This helps us understand how to recognize the spiritual consolation. #LearnDiscernment