Ignatian Spirituality is‌
A Desktop Primer by Debra K. Mooney, PhD
Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, had a perspective of life, a spirituality that has thrived for hundreds of years.
Ignatian spirituality is...
“The Divine pervades
everything in the Universe.�
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Ignatian spirituality is...
Centered around the belief that the Divine can be found in all things Taking time each day to reflect upon God’s moment-by-moment presence is meaningful.
“Great acts “G are made up of small deeds.” Lao Tzu
Ignatian spirituality is...
action oriented One is called to be (more) competent, caring and charitable to relieve injustices and suffering in our world “for the greater glory of God.�
“The final mystery
is oneself.”
Oscar Wilde
Ignatian spirituality is...
Focused on self-awareness Enlisting affect, imagination and intellect to know what one is being called to do—or more importantly, to be—is prominent.
“Follow your instincts.
That’s where true wisdom manifests itself.”
Oprah Winfrey
Ignatian spirituality is...
Inner-directed Personal insights are produced through the process of attention, contemplation and discernment.
“Everything changes,
nothing remains without change.�
Buddha
Ignatian spirituality is...
adapting Ignatius valued differences in relation to time, culture and each individual. Likewise, he emphasized the importance of being prepared for change and a changing world. Thus, adaptation to current situations is respected, even expected. The invitation to adapt the Ignatian life philosophy to one’s circumstances makes it a timeless, contemporary spirituality.
“To know
is to experience.”
Virginia Ann Froehle, RSM
Ignatian spirituality is...
experiential Ignatius Loyola engaged in a focused way of enhancing and experiencing his spirituality. He called this process the Spiritual Exercises.
“The spiritual quest begins, for most people, as a search for meaning.� Marilyn Ferguson
Ignatian spirituality is... The exercises
experiential Ignatius and his early companions found that the Spiritual Exercises helped to reorder and redirect their lives to praise and serve God. Today, people experience the process for a number of reasons: to form a closer relationship with God, to ponder vocational or other major life questions, to be a better person or to more fully understand Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit identity. The process of “doing” the Spiritual Exercises involves prayerful reading and reflection. For Christians, this involves prayer and contemplation upon Biblical passages, primarily from the New Testament, in order to understand oneself and the life of Christ, including God’s love (called “week 1”), discipleship/servant
leadership (week 2), compassion and commitment (week 3) and God’s presence in daily life (week 4). Ignatius intended this spiritual process to take one’s exclusive attention for 30 days or to be modified and extended over months for those with familial and professional responsibilities. While the Spiritual Exercises can be experienced privately, utilizing print or electronic resources, it is most fruitful to couple personal prayer with regular meetings with an experienced companion or director. The one-on-one time expands opportunities for individualized spiritual insight and meaning. Likewise, adaptations for various faith traditions can easily be integrated. Contact the Mission and Identity coordinator at your institution for guidance options.
For instance, while attending to the passage: Matthew 7:7-9
For instance, while attending to the passage: Jeremiah 29:11
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not your woe.
One might prayerfully contemplate:
What fills me with hope? What worries might be relieved?
What do I request and seek? Why? What might prevent me from asking, seeking and knocking? What will be on the other side of the door?
One might prayerfully contemplate:
Ignatian spirituality is... The examen
experiential In the text of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius also outlined five “points� for daily spiritual thanksgiving, grace and introspection. These are known as the Examen.
A modern adaptation of the daily Examen invites reflection upon the following questions: What am I thankful for today? How have I been blessed? As I review my day, when did I feel close to God? When did I feel more distant? What have I learned about myself today? Am I pleased with this insight? Who do I want to BE tomorrow? How can I BE that person? What do I look forward to in my day tomorrow?
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Supported by The Conway Institute for Jesuit Education
072016 GV 3000 Š 2016 Debra K. Mooney, PhD, Second Edition
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