Lesson Video and Resources Below…
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God/We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay/We should like to skip the intermediate stages/We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new/And yet it is the law of all progress/that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—/and that it may take a very long time.”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ
Art of Discernment: Voices and Visualization
In session two of The Art of Discernment, we reviewed parts of session one, including the PRH tool of discernment, a 4-step method using a topography and layout of choices. The “being” was explored more fully as was the re-framing of questions for discernment. An orientation was given for a second discernment tool, based in Ignatian spirituality, exploring voices and visualization. The uses of imagination and contemplation in discernment were introduced.
Between now and next time: For our third evening together, we will focus on how to help another with a discernment. Each will be asked to revisit a situation or discernment of choice to use for the evening. The skills and process used to help one another will be presented in advance of the time spent in small groups. Each member of the group will be given an opportunity to help and be helped. A third role will be offered as well, to observe the process of helping with a discernment in the small group.
Additional Resources:
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by the Revered James Martin, SJ (bestselling author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage) is a practical spiritual guidebook that shows you how to manage relationships, money, work, prayer, and decision-making, all while keeping a sense of humor.
Inspired by the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, this book will help you realize the Ignatian goal of “finding God in all things.” Filled with relatable examples, humorous stories, and anecdotes from the heroic and inspiring lives of Jesuit saints and average priests and brothers, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything will enrich your everyday life with spiritual guidance and history.
Inspired by the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus and centered around the Ignatian goal of “finding God in all things,” The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything is filled with user-friendly examples, humorous stories, and anecdotes from the heroic and inspiring lives of Jesuit saints and average priests and brothers, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything is sure to appeal to fans of Kathleen Norris, Richard Rohr, Anne Lamott, and other Christian Spiritual writers.
Catch-up or Re-visit:
Self-Preparation:
- I identify an important decision or situation that requires my time and attention.
- I bring my discernment from the first session to explore it further with a new approach or something new for practicing the methods and approach of the second session.
Method: Voices and Visualization
Our second session will include a brief review of the content shared in our first session together as well as an introduction to a second approach, the use of voices and visualization based in Ignatian discernment and Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. Participants will become aware of and identify the various influences that impact their personal decision and learn to engage with important decisions by using their imaginations. Creative expression, written reflection and speaking and listening in a group help to deepen the process of discernment. All tools in this series are transferable to a personal practice and to other settings and groups.
Materials:
Simple, easy, and inexpensive, meant to encourage freedom and use, located in or around home or found at a local drug store or craft shop. Please do not feel pressured to go to any significant effort or expense to prepare for this program.
- Sketchbook or plain paper, any size
- Notebook or lined paper
- Writing pen
Optional: any creative expression materials found or used at home or used in the Contemplative Creativity series Way to Being: colored pencils or paint, collage or mandala-making materials.
Session Two Video:
Catch up with session one resources and video here.
Our Guide:
Carla Orlando, M.Ed, is an educator and spiritual director who teaches discernment, reflective writing, and contemplative prayer at Seattle Pacific University and at the Grunewald Guild for art and spirituality. Carla’s ministry includes Spiritual Direction Services at the Ignatian Spirituality Center, the Spiritual Exercises of Everyday Life retreat, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative. Carla’s somatic method, training, and supervision with PRH (Personnalite et Relations Humaines) International School of Adult Development is integral to her personal approach and guides her work with university students, faculty, organizational professionals, and people of faith.
Questions? Email Sylvia Sepulveda.
Contemplative Creativity meets the the second Wednesday of each month at 6pm PT, via Zoom.