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Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality
Inner Compass meets you where you are in your spiritual journey. This book is designed to help readers discover God for themselves, using the transforming Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius.
196 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 1999
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January 3, 2016
Inner Compass by Margaret Silf
I just finished reading Silf's book this week, working through it with my LBC (ladies book club). (I am trying to write this without 'spoilers' but with enough information to help others decide if they want to read it or not.) I found it very rewarding, and a very workable introduction to Ignatian spirituality, but without enough of the history and direct drawing from St. Ignatius to make me feel I have really connected to his process. I now hope to go back to more original works of the great Jesuit father to gain more insight and to put what I have learned into action.
The entire work provides a guide to viewing life as a spiritual journey and gives tangible ways to reflect on and share that life and more importantly to see the "God-in-the-other" in all we encounter. I recognized elements I was familiar with like the concept of the paradigm shift from Stephen Covey, the realization that between stimulus and response there is a space or moment in which we can make a choice on how we respond from Victor Frankl, and the reality and survival of shipwrecks of faith from Sharon Daloz Parks. But the most beneficial of all was the real-life and sometimes 'risky' examples of how to use Ignatian Imagination to 'exercise' our spirituality. In that way, the book is a true success.
There is an early exercise that the reader is called to do, to write our "faith story", and this was my first real connection to the book (but also queue that there was something missing) - I struggled to see how our 'life story' is NOT our 'faith story'.
I found through my LBC that many of the visualizations did not work for everyone, but everyone was able to connect to at least one or two of the major imagery-segments that Silf provided. I think in that way this book is a great work, its ability to grab each one of us at our core was an amazing thing, whether it be the image of tilling the fields, the image of a river, or the image of stars, she guides her readers in 'imaginings' in such a way that when she delves into imagining and placing ourselves into the Word of God we slip right in and observe, interact and integrate right into the text.
For me, the most poignant moments were those in which Silf recognizes evil in our fallen world, that our failings and weaknesses are real but are part of what God is using to bring his goodness and kingdom into the world. I appreciated the ability to recognize that almost everything can be offered in some prayer-like way. And I especially loved the suggestions for further reflection at the end of each chapter calling us to explore the psalms, experience the walk to Emmaus, comparing bees and spiders (and seeing ourselves in both!) and to recognize the desolation of our lives as parallel to the trials and tribulations of the very real souls recounted in the Bible.
There is a very clear reality that we will not ever reach perfection, that life will continue to be a roller-coaster and that we will really find God in the ups & downs of life as we live it and not suddenly at the end of our journey. Recognizing our own fallenness can really be very sad, but Silf does not let it immobilize us. She draws out the value of all we experience. As my father would say, "Suffering builds character", I imagine Silf would say "Suffering brings us closer to God" - or maybe "Suffering builds the Kingdom".
I love the idea of the light of God and our choice to either face it (and all it illuminates, both good and bad) or to keep our backs to it allowing our line of sight to be darkened by our own shadow, creating a shadow that might darken the world for others, or worse, that the darkness of our creation will actually worsen the world.
I truly appreciated the advice from Igantius, to not make a decision to change our course while we are in a period of desolation, this has been very needed advice for me in the past weeks, and advice I was even able to impart to others (without any religious overtones) to help others consider and contemplate decisions instead of making them rashly. (And even allowed me to recognize when others did make rash and regretful decisions.)
There is great value in the chapter on Tracking Our Moods. Silf provides real tools in recognizing the triggers for both our desolations and consolations and I find this to be of great value (lots of underlines and highlights!) and that life is a journey of ongoing conversion. And of even more value are the practices she introduces to recognize our deep desires, and how uncomfortable they might really be, but once glimpsed, how uncomfortable our current status or situation becomes. And then comes the realization, that whether we like it or not God really is answering our prayers, we just need to realize it.
At least once per chapter there would be a single line challenging us to shift our paradigm, to 'die to self', to overcome our self-centeredness, but these opportunities were not fully developed. And in the end, we can recognize the call to be more fully converted, no matter how close we think we are already.
In closing, I have to say that I think Ms. Silf stops short from really challenging us. We are certainly challenged to view ourselves differently, but she is very gentle in what we do next with that, there is not enough emphasis on how to then take these new realizations and exercises and push ourselves to a new level. Our discussion group's take on it at times almost appeared to me to be a 'cop-out'. But then I must circle myself back to remembering the book presents itself as a 'introduction' and in that capacity, perhaps it is ok and understandable to be simply that, but it left me wanting the real stuff, and will hopefully drive me to read more of Ignatius himself. (I did read his autobiography while at Fordham for grad school, maybe I should revisit it...).
Most certainly Silf relates, in an understandable and moving way, that God is with us in the dark and trying times, as much as he is with us in the times of consolation. That, if we stay close to him, we are consecrated in him, and then every time we are broken a little, every time we "die a little to self" we are able to move closer to him, to his suffering, and with each break and sacrifice we are giving to others in some measure. Deep stuff, hard to fathom and even harder to accept for those of us who are already hard on ourselves.
Lastly, if you do journey through this book, I would love to know how you would define "the gap" that Silf describes, in your own words. Our LBC struggled over this and in the end we decided to move on and not force the definition, but the fruit of that part of our conversation was very valuable.
Shall we share more conversations? Follow me @ seekingwisdomsharing.wordpress.com
I just finished reading Silf's book this week, working through it with my LBC (ladies book club). (I am trying to write this without 'spoilers' but with enough information to help others decide if they want to read it or not.) I found it very rewarding, and a very workable introduction to Ignatian spirituality, but without enough of the history and direct drawing from St. Ignatius to make me feel I have really connected to his process. I now hope to go back to more original works of the great Jesuit father to gain more insight and to put what I have learned into action.
The entire work provides a guide to viewing life as a spiritual journey and gives tangible ways to reflect on and share that life and more importantly to see the "God-in-the-other" in all we encounter. I recognized elements I was familiar with like the concept of the paradigm shift from Stephen Covey, the realization that between stimulus and response there is a space or moment in which we can make a choice on how we respond from Victor Frankl, and the reality and survival of shipwrecks of faith from Sharon Daloz Parks. But the most beneficial of all was the real-life and sometimes 'risky' examples of how to use Ignatian Imagination to 'exercise' our spirituality. In that way, the book is a true success.
There is an early exercise that the reader is called to do, to write our "faith story", and this was my first real connection to the book (but also queue that there was something missing) - I struggled to see how our 'life story' is NOT our 'faith story'.
I found through my LBC that many of the visualizations did not work for everyone, but everyone was able to connect to at least one or two of the major imagery-segments that Silf provided. I think in that way this book is a great work, its ability to grab each one of us at our core was an amazing thing, whether it be the image of tilling the fields, the image of a river, or the image of stars, she guides her readers in 'imaginings' in such a way that when she delves into imagining and placing ourselves into the Word of God we slip right in and observe, interact and integrate right into the text.
For me, the most poignant moments were those in which Silf recognizes evil in our fallen world, that our failings and weaknesses are real but are part of what God is using to bring his goodness and kingdom into the world. I appreciated the ability to recognize that almost everything can be offered in some prayer-like way. And I especially loved the suggestions for further reflection at the end of each chapter calling us to explore the psalms, experience the walk to Emmaus, comparing bees and spiders (and seeing ourselves in both!) and to recognize the desolation of our lives as parallel to the trials and tribulations of the very real souls recounted in the Bible.
There is a very clear reality that we will not ever reach perfection, that life will continue to be a roller-coaster and that we will really find God in the ups & downs of life as we live it and not suddenly at the end of our journey. Recognizing our own fallenness can really be very sad, but Silf does not let it immobilize us. She draws out the value of all we experience. As my father would say, "Suffering builds character", I imagine Silf would say "Suffering brings us closer to God" - or maybe "Suffering builds the Kingdom".
I love the idea of the light of God and our choice to either face it (and all it illuminates, both good and bad) or to keep our backs to it allowing our line of sight to be darkened by our own shadow, creating a shadow that might darken the world for others, or worse, that the darkness of our creation will actually worsen the world.
I truly appreciated the advice from Igantius, to not make a decision to change our course while we are in a period of desolation, this has been very needed advice for me in the past weeks, and advice I was even able to impart to others (without any religious overtones) to help others consider and contemplate decisions instead of making them rashly. (And even allowed me to recognize when others did make rash and regretful decisions.)
There is great value in the chapter on Tracking Our Moods. Silf provides real tools in recognizing the triggers for both our desolations and consolations and I find this to be of great value (lots of underlines and highlights!) and that life is a journey of ongoing conversion. And of even more value are the practices she introduces to recognize our deep desires, and how uncomfortable they might really be, but once glimpsed, how uncomfortable our current status or situation becomes. And then comes the realization, that whether we like it or not God really is answering our prayers, we just need to realize it.
At least once per chapter there would be a single line challenging us to shift our paradigm, to 'die to self', to overcome our self-centeredness, but these opportunities were not fully developed. And in the end, we can recognize the call to be more fully converted, no matter how close we think we are already.
In closing, I have to say that I think Ms. Silf stops short from really challenging us. We are certainly challenged to view ourselves differently, but she is very gentle in what we do next with that, there is not enough emphasis on how to then take these new realizations and exercises and push ourselves to a new level. Our discussion group's take on it at times almost appeared to me to be a 'cop-out'. But then I must circle myself back to remembering the book presents itself as a 'introduction' and in that capacity, perhaps it is ok and understandable to be simply that, but it left me wanting the real stuff, and will hopefully drive me to read more of Ignatius himself. (I did read his autobiography while at Fordham for grad school, maybe I should revisit it...).
Most certainly Silf relates, in an understandable and moving way, that God is with us in the dark and trying times, as much as he is with us in the times of consolation. That, if we stay close to him, we are consecrated in him, and then every time we are broken a little, every time we "die a little to self" we are able to move closer to him, to his suffering, and with each break and sacrifice we are giving to others in some measure. Deep stuff, hard to fathom and even harder to accept for those of us who are already hard on ourselves.
Lastly, if you do journey through this book, I would love to know how you would define "the gap" that Silf describes, in your own words. Our LBC struggled over this and in the end we decided to move on and not force the definition, but the fruit of that part of our conversation was very valuable.
Shall we share more conversations? Follow me @ seekingwisdomsharing.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2023
This is a beautiful, insightful book that presents the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Of Loyal in a palatable, practical way. It’s definitely one to be taken in slowly and thoughtfully. I really loved how in every chapter there are specific suggestions and questions to help the reader come to God in prayer. There were a lot of things I’d never though about before which I found really refreshing. I specifically loved the practice of imaginative prayer where one puts themselves in the Gospel stories to find Jesus there. I think this is a great book for anyone looking to deepen their faith and find fresh avenues of connection with God. I know I’ll come back to it again and again.
“When we open ourselves to God in prayer, we invite him to enter our Who center, bringing the gifts of the Spirit into the heart of our loved experience, with all its problems, pain, and sin. As the transforming work is done, the Spirit in turn carries our needs and longings, and the needs and longings of all those for whom we pray, back to the heart of God. These are not just flights of wishful fancy. These are the promises of God made to us, through his Son, and our loved experience testifies to their truth and their validity.”
“When we open ourselves to God in prayer, we invite him to enter our Who center, bringing the gifts of the Spirit into the heart of our loved experience, with all its problems, pain, and sin. As the transforming work is done, the Spirit in turn carries our needs and longings, and the needs and longings of all those for whom we pray, back to the heart of God. These are not just flights of wishful fancy. These are the promises of God made to us, through his Son, and our loved experience testifies to their truth and their validity.”
January 23, 2015
There is much good work in this book. And also a few to many words. I often found myself wondering why the book felt so long...it could use some editing, I think.
I appreciate a number of things, but most especially the prayer suggestions at the end of each chapter. There are several of differing types, which is helpful as some don't speak much to me while others definitely do.
The theology of redemptive suffering in one of the final chapters had me spending those pages gritting my teeth, as that is opposed to my theological understanding of God and suffering.
The use of the "Godseed" metaphor, while I understand it, sometimes had me giggling like a twelve year old boy.
Overall, I am glad I read this book. There will be portions I will return to. The practices are valuable, and there is much in the Ignatian tradition that can be of great use in the spiritual life of those who desire a different kind of relationship with God than is offered by many more logical/linear/mainline traditions.
I appreciate a number of things, but most especially the prayer suggestions at the end of each chapter. There are several of differing types, which is helpful as some don't speak much to me while others definitely do.
The theology of redemptive suffering in one of the final chapters had me spending those pages gritting my teeth, as that is opposed to my theological understanding of God and suffering.
The use of the "Godseed" metaphor, while I understand it, sometimes had me giggling like a twelve year old boy.
Overall, I am glad I read this book. There will be portions I will return to. The practices are valuable, and there is much in the Ignatian tradition that can be of great use in the spiritual life of those who desire a different kind of relationship with God than is offered by many more logical/linear/mainline traditions.
March 4, 2009
A landmark in the inner journey of prayer. The author has an experienced, deft touch as she explores the dynamics of spiritual life through the prism of the Ignatian "Spiritual Exercises." I hardly recognized them, she is so skilled in speaking heart to heart about the real ways we experience our spiritual lives.
Silf's simple diagram of 3 concentric circles is a touchstone for understanding one's journey:
"Where Am I? (outermost circle) The givenness of the facts and circumstances of my life, the things I cannot change."
"How Am I? (middle circle) The areas of my life where I make personal choices and exercise some control."
"Who Am I? (inner circle) The center of my being where I am who I truly am."
Finally, in the center of the circles there is a sprouted seed, the "Godseed" in what we commonly call our 'heart'." "My Godseed [says Silf:] is nothing less than the immanent God at rest in my heart, waiting to be expressed in an act of germination, of resurrection."
Silf's simple diagram of 3 concentric circles is a touchstone for understanding one's journey:
"Where Am I? (outermost circle) The givenness of the facts and circumstances of my life, the things I cannot change."
"How Am I? (middle circle) The areas of my life where I make personal choices and exercise some control."
"Who Am I? (inner circle) The center of my being where I am who I truly am."
Finally, in the center of the circles there is a sprouted seed, the "Godseed" in what we commonly call our 'heart'." "My Godseed [says Silf:] is nothing less than the immanent God at rest in my heart, waiting to be expressed in an act of germination, of resurrection."
July 24, 2010
#69 - 2010.
A review book from Loyola Press that I received some time ago. I've been interested in Ignatian Spirituality for a while and this has a more general take so far than some books I've read. However, that is not a negative thing. Silf's overview is highly interesting and makes a lot of sense.
UPDATE
This is a really wonderful book thus far. Silf has a way with imagery and of helping one mentally "enter" the situations she presents. All this helps to get a clear view of where we stand, where God is (yes, everywhere), and how we can better connect. I have tried the Creighton University weekly retreat which attempts this same thing and it has never worked much for me ... so very similar to what I already have experienced through Christ Renews His Parish retreat and formation. This, however, puts it on new ground so that I can revisit spiritual formation and feel there is something to help me dig deeper, rather than revisit the same ground that I am well aware of from one angle.
FINALLY
Although the imagery can be helpful, as I have mentioned previously, I hit a spot in the book which made me wonder about the author's ability to truly pass it on well. At one point she retells God and Satan's conversation from the beginning of the book of Job, which is what begins Job's suffering. However, her portray of God is so very ... human ... God hasn't thought of something that Satan mentions to him, He wonders and doubts, etc. Really? This makes her the world's absolute worst reteller of that story. Read it for yourself and see that there are no such motives for God as she ascribes. Since she is essentially retelling us Ignatian spirituality from St. Ignatius's work, it makes me wonder if she is doing a similarly careless job filtering it for us. Therefore, it makes her entire work suspect in my eyes, until I am able to compare it to St. Ignatius's writings. Which, obviously, is where I need to turn if I am interested in further pursuing this course. Not sure if I am, actually, as I read this because it was a review book ...
A review book from Loyola Press that I received some time ago. I've been interested in Ignatian Spirituality for a while and this has a more general take so far than some books I've read. However, that is not a negative thing. Silf's overview is highly interesting and makes a lot of sense.
UPDATE
This is a really wonderful book thus far. Silf has a way with imagery and of helping one mentally "enter" the situations she presents. All this helps to get a clear view of where we stand, where God is (yes, everywhere), and how we can better connect. I have tried the Creighton University weekly retreat which attempts this same thing and it has never worked much for me ... so very similar to what I already have experienced through Christ Renews His Parish retreat and formation. This, however, puts it on new ground so that I can revisit spiritual formation and feel there is something to help me dig deeper, rather than revisit the same ground that I am well aware of from one angle.
FINALLY
Although the imagery can be helpful, as I have mentioned previously, I hit a spot in the book which made me wonder about the author's ability to truly pass it on well. At one point she retells God and Satan's conversation from the beginning of the book of Job, which is what begins Job's suffering. However, her portray of God is so very ... human ... God hasn't thought of something that Satan mentions to him, He wonders and doubts, etc. Really? This makes her the world's absolute worst reteller of that story. Read it for yourself and see that there are no such motives for God as she ascribes. Since she is essentially retelling us Ignatian spirituality from St. Ignatius's work, it makes me wonder if she is doing a similarly careless job filtering it for us. Therefore, it makes her entire work suspect in my eyes, until I am able to compare it to St. Ignatius's writings. Which, obviously, is where I need to turn if I am interested in further pursuing this course. Not sure if I am, actually, as I read this because it was a review book ...
August 20, 2018
Ignatius was a soldier in sixteenth century Spain when a cannonball shattered his leg. During months of rehabilitation he asked for romantic novels but was only able to obtain religious literature. He then began imagining himself as part of various gospel scenes, interacting with and responding to others present, perhaps as a key character or an onlooker. Thus began a form of spiritual practice that has been a staple within Catholic circles ever since and has been adopted by many Protestants as well.
Margaret Silf offers an excellent introduction to Ignatian spirituality, not just explaining it but helping readers walk through its various exercises. We learn to pay attention to emotions as well as thoughts and events from our day as windows into God’s work in us. We discover the false messages we tell ourselves and the learn true self God has given us.
Silf is a master of image and metaphor to explain various practices—signposts, wounded birds, shadows, tunnels, bomb disposal, furniture in a room, being in a field or on a river, boats moving through a lock, and more. This is a fine first book for those wanting to know more about these spiritual practices and gain a fresh and deeper encounter with God.
Margaret Silf offers an excellent introduction to Ignatian spirituality, not just explaining it but helping readers walk through its various exercises. We learn to pay attention to emotions as well as thoughts and events from our day as windows into God’s work in us. We discover the false messages we tell ourselves and the learn true self God has given us.
Silf is a master of image and metaphor to explain various practices—signposts, wounded birds, shadows, tunnels, bomb disposal, furniture in a room, being in a field or on a river, boats moving through a lock, and more. This is a fine first book for those wanting to know more about these spiritual practices and gain a fresh and deeper encounter with God.
August 7, 2020
I can hardly begin to describe how good and wise this book is. It is a companion to which I will return over and over in my life. Pin-prick focused on the essentials of decision-making and the spiritual journey. The type of wisdom that’s not “out there” but cuts through illusion in such a practical obvious way that nothing can ever look the same again. If I only had a small suitcase to travel life with and had to choose only my essential books, this would be one of my picks. Everyone should read it. (Note that this book is titled “Inner Compass” in the US but the same book is titled “Landmarks” in the UK. So you can read either.)
August 14, 2021
This is an excellent book for learning to practice the Ignatian style of prayer and discernment. I loved the wonderful examples from the author's life that were so down-to-earth and easy to relate to.
I was fortunate that for 8 years I had spiritual direction from a sister who led me through the Exercises in 7-day silent retreats each year and saw me on a regular basis during the years. Reading this book has reminded me of the experiences of I had and I am encouraged to resume this sort of imaginative prayer.
I was fortunate that for 8 years I had spiritual direction from a sister who led me through the Exercises in 7-day silent retreats each year and saw me on a regular basis during the years. Reading this book has reminded me of the experiences of I had and I am encouraged to resume this sort of imaginative prayer.
December 31, 2021
This book was a challenge for me and I appreciated reading it with a group of friends. The discussions helped me and challenged me. I plan to reread it again next year and hope to try some of the exercises suggested in the book. I plan to reread Scripture and try to imagine being there in the scene. Who would I be? What would the scene look like? What emotions would various people be experiencing? I've read Scripture too often just skimming over the words since the passages are so familiar. This reading strategy should bring Bible passages more to life.
June 5, 2024
"Inner Compass" is a beautifully written and deeply transformative book that invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Margaret Silf's compassionate and insightful guidance makes Ignatian spirituality accessible and relevant, providing a timeless roadmap for those seeking to navigate their inner world and live a more meaningful and authentic life. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual practice and discovering the divine presence within themselves.
November 4, 2019
Pretty much anything from Margaret Silf is going to be life transforming. In "Inner Compass" she takes you through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatious, sharing much of her own personal journey in the process. Having gone through the exercises already, i felt this journey with the book made it ever more clear and vivid, helping me to go deeper into the experience of God through the Ignatius' disciplines.
May 7, 2019
This book was chosen for my third year of Companions in Ignation Spirituality and Service and is a rich reflection on praying the Ignation way. It was deep and complex and I often was not able to give it the time it deserved. But it is well worth rereading and I expect that I will reread it several times.
December 24, 2016
Silf's accessible text allowed me to focus on learning about prayer and my inner spiritual journey. I will hold onto several of the stories she shared about her own journey as helpful reminders that spiritual growth is challenging.
August 21, 2018
This is a powerful book exploring Ignatian spirituality particularly in the context of the Spiritual Exercises. Silf offers a number of parables to explain God's work within us. I will be coming back to this book again and again.
September 1, 2023
3.5 I marked this book with many flags and yet I found that the overall impression for me was of too many analogies so that I didn’t come away with something that “sticks”. I will use it as a reference though.
July 7, 2017
Suzy, Grottoes patron, July 2017, 5 stars:
Excellent book for those who desire to know more about Saint Ignatius of Loyola's way of growing into relationship with God more deeply.
Excellent book for those who desire to know more about Saint Ignatius of Loyola's way of growing into relationship with God more deeply.
Read
August 14, 2017See Review on 'Landmarks' https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 12, 2019
A popular but, for my taste, too long treatment of Ignation spirituality.
July 27, 2021
All that a book can do is point out some of the landmarks along the way and invite readers to discover their own unique path into the fullness of life.
November 9, 2016
If you want something to take you deeper into your authentic self, this book is fantastic.
January 4, 2020
Ten years ago I participated in the life-transforming SoulStream contemplative spiritual experience of Living From the Heart and learned the surprising truth that desire rather than duty was the most reliable guide for discerning the will of God and determining my life calling. I chose this book for one of the assigned book reviews. As I move into year two of my retirement and seek to discern next steps for living into my true calling, I decided a few weeks ago to re-read this book. Its essence is captured in the following quote, a commentary on the exploration of . . .
“who we most truly are at the heart of ourselves, where the Godseed is planted (where) God’s dream for us is unfolding. Our lives (Glen’s retirement) are the space in which that dream takes shape, and our gift to our God is his dream fulfilled” (p 246).
This expresses well my vision for this next chapter in my life. Yet along with my eager anticipation of its unfolding, I am aware of my own fear and apprehension as I wrestle with doubt that I could ever discern with my clouded vision God’s dream for me. A dream reflected in my deepest desire. A desire which can so easily be concealed beneath many legitimate yet lesser desires.
There is so much for me to appreciate about this book but I will add one more precious gem of discovery. For so long I thought that the only effective way to gain freedom from unhealthy attachments was to rely on willpower to force the suppression of the "unholy" desires that fueled these attachments. This was obviously the path of asceticism, or fasting.
Silf makes the distinction between the the stick way (the ascetic way) of the carrot way (the way of deepest desire) to find the path to detachment.
I am becoming aware that I have these particular dependencies, attachments, compulsions, crutches, idols (or whatever you want to call them) . . . I will spend all my energy in trying to destroy them.
I am becoming aware that I have these particular dependencies, attachments, compulsions, crutches, idols, etc. . . . I will not try to get rid of them by my own efforts. Instead, I will use the limited energy I have to attend to those things in my experience where I feel right with God, or on solid ground, or living true. This will become the music in my heart . . . In this way God will lead me to freedom without my even realizing that it is happening.
I love this! It shifts my image of God from a stern and scolding spoilsport who frowns on desire and chooses punishment and pain to motivate . . . to the host of the feast who turns water into wine and not only legitimizes desire but implements it as his primary strategy to lead me into his heart of love! What can get any better than that?!
“who we most truly are at the heart of ourselves, where the Godseed is planted (where) God’s dream for us is unfolding. Our lives (Glen’s retirement) are the space in which that dream takes shape, and our gift to our God is his dream fulfilled” (p 246).
This expresses well my vision for this next chapter in my life. Yet along with my eager anticipation of its unfolding, I am aware of my own fear and apprehension as I wrestle with doubt that I could ever discern with my clouded vision God’s dream for me. A dream reflected in my deepest desire. A desire which can so easily be concealed beneath many legitimate yet lesser desires.
There is so much for me to appreciate about this book but I will add one more precious gem of discovery. For so long I thought that the only effective way to gain freedom from unhealthy attachments was to rely on willpower to force the suppression of the "unholy" desires that fueled these attachments. This was obviously the path of asceticism, or fasting.
Silf makes the distinction between the the stick way (the ascetic way) of the carrot way (the way of deepest desire) to find the path to detachment.
I am becoming aware that I have these particular dependencies, attachments, compulsions, crutches, idols (or whatever you want to call them) . . . I will spend all my energy in trying to destroy them.
I am becoming aware that I have these particular dependencies, attachments, compulsions, crutches, idols, etc. . . . I will not try to get rid of them by my own efforts. Instead, I will use the limited energy I have to attend to those things in my experience where I feel right with God, or on solid ground, or living true. This will become the music in my heart . . . In this way God will lead me to freedom without my even realizing that it is happening.
I love this! It shifts my image of God from a stern and scolding spoilsport who frowns on desire and chooses punishment and pain to motivate . . . to the host of the feast who turns water into wine and not only legitimizes desire but implements it as his primary strategy to lead me into his heart of love! What can get any better than that?!
July 29, 2011
This is a great introduction to the profound insights of St. Ignatius of Loyola's "Spiritual Exercises." Margaret Silf is an amazing story teller and creative writer. She introduces the reader to the life story of St. Ignatius and how it gave rise to the exercises. The majority of the book reflects on the First Week of the exercises which center on learning to discern the inner movements of our hearts. Only when we reach the very end does she introduce the Second, Third, and Fourth Weeks touching only briefly on the heart of those exercises. Each chapter ends with a dozen or so suggestions for prayer and reflection. Therefore, this is a book that you digest over a long period of time. This book really is a companion for your inner journey. As Silf writes,
"Take it gently, and enjoy the landscape as you go ... The more you savor the journey, the more you will benefit from it."
"Take it gently, and enjoy the landscape as you go ... The more you savor the journey, the more you will benefit from it."
May 26, 2016
An interesting exploration of inner heart desires, loosely based on the 4 weeks of Ignatian exercises. It overwhelmingly focuses on the first week, searching for God's voice within our deepest desires. In the latter chapters, it touches on weeks 2-4, imaginatively reading and praying through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Overall, the book's tone is gentle and inviting; it provides assistance in exploring the heart, with vivid imagery and reflective questions. The basic premise is that God is in our center, and that our deepest desires are from Him. Dealing with sin and ignorance is a matter of peeling back the layers. The ideas may seem a little confusing it unorthodox at times, but are also helpful in searching for God's will. and affirming the good He's given us.
Overall, the book's tone is gentle and inviting; it provides assistance in exploring the heart, with vivid imagery and reflective questions. The basic premise is that God is in our center, and that our deepest desires are from Him. Dealing with sin and ignorance is a matter of peeling back the layers. The ideas may seem a little confusing it unorthodox at times, but are also helpful in searching for God's will. and affirming the good He's given us.
August 7, 2015
I so enjoyed this book this summer-- it became more of a faith manual and daily spiritual guide than a one time read for me. Using the exercises and ideas from the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Silf does a remarkable job explaining how we can tap into our "WHO center" (that part of us all that is holy and good and who God wants us to be) and bring it back to the WHERE part of ourselves (the part where we live our daily experiences) and back again. It is a fascinating journey towards truth and, if you are ready to listen and learn, has the power to bring you closer than you've ever been to the person you are meant to be.
Read
April 13, 2011This was really my first introduction to Ignatian spirituality and I thought that Ms Silf was a fine guide. I found her discussion of the daily examen to be wonderfully helpful and I thought that she had a real gift for creating a helpful image to illustrate her teaching. Unfortunately, things seemed to repeat themselves and my attention would wander from time to time. However, each chapter ends with a number of suggestions and I was regularly able to find at least one that felt 'right' for me. The author has an abundant heart and she is a wonderful instructor. Good bibliography, too.
October 4, 2008
Great modern look at the teachings of St. Ignatius. Great stuff on noticing attachments/addictions that encourage us to make choices out of fear or drive to attain something. exercises in the book help to internalize the content and illustrate how you can begin to make choices in your life from a place of freedom. operating from this free place brings us closer to God, closer to ourselves, and closer to others.
April 15, 2008
This book needs to be read carefully, and the suggestions of things to do and how to pray must be taken in order to get the full benefit of reading this book. The first time I read it, there was a lot of time in between reading chapters, and I think I'm going to read it again on a consistent schedule to really learn more from it.
Currently reading
February 7, 2010This book is slowly helping me to reflect on my past, understand my present emotions and difficulties, thank God for the incredible blessings He has given me, and seek the peace and wisdom I need to determine my future. I would definitely recommend it for any Christian who is searching for inner peace about their life journey.
September 4, 2011
I thought this was a new book but it's published as Landmarks in the UK, so it wasn't new to me. I know that the Ignatian approach involves a lot of metaphor and imagination but I found terms like 'Godseed' and 'Godplant' just a bit weird. (And google 'sonseed jesus is my friend' on youtube to see one reason why). But that's just me. Don't let that stop you reading it.
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