How to make good decisions according to St. Ignatius of Loyola

Summary

In this 'biblical Bookworm' episode, Elizabeth introduces the Ignatian rules for spiritual discernment, offering guidance on decision-making, especially in religious contexts. She explains how Saint Ignatius of Loyola's principles can distinguish divine inspiration from negative influences. Elizabeth clarifies the difference between spiritual consolation and desolation, emphasizing the importance of self-assessment and the need for caution during times of doubt. The video also touches on the contrasting impacts of God's and the devil's thoughts on the soul, advocating for careful examination of resolutions before acting upon them.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the Ignatian Rules for Spiritual Discernment, offering guidance on making decisions, especially in religious matters.
• 💡 Saint Ignatius of Loyola's rules help distinguish good ideas from bad, recognizing divine inspiration versus thoughts that may lead away from God's glory.
• 🧘 The Ignatian Rules are part of the Spiritual Exercises, which aim to help individuals make decisions, including vocational choices.
• 🤔 The video mentions the challenge of self-assessment in discerning one's spiritual state, as humans may not be adept at objective self-evaluation.
• 🔑 Saint Ignatius defines 'consolation' as spiritual peace and joy that draws the soul to heavenly things, and 'desolation' as the opposite feeling of abandonment by God.
• 🚫 One of Ignatius's key rules is not to make changes during times of desolation, to avoid acting on doubts and negative emotions.
• 💭 The thoughts that arise from consolation and desolation are opposites, with the former leading to good and the latter potentially leading to sin.
• 👼 Ignatius explains that God and angels bring true spiritual joy, while the devil may offer false consolations with ulterior motives.
• 🤝 The way thoughts enter the soul can indicate their source, with good angels touching the soul gently for those progressing in faith, and vice versa for those regressing.
• ⏳ Saint Ignatius advises using times of consolation to prepare for future times of desolation, and patience during desolation with the belief that better times will come.
• 📝 The video suggests that even when ideas seem to come from God, they should be examined for morality and practicality before being acted upon.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Elizabeth from the Biblical Bookworm?

The main topic of the video is the Ignatian rules for spiritual discernment, which provides guidelines on making good decisions, especially in religious matters.

Who are the Ignatian rules of discernment attributed to?

The Ignatian rules of discernment are attributed to Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

What is the purpose of the Ignatian rules for discernment?

The purpose of the Ignatian rules for discernment is to help distinguish good ideas from bad ideas and to recognize thoughts that come from God versus those that come from the devil.

What is the significance of the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola?

The spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola are significant as they are a set of practices designed to help individuals discern God's will in their lives, often in relation to making important decisions such as one's vocation.

Why did Elizabeth decide not to focus on 'The Discernment of Spirits' by Father Gallagher?

Elizabeth decided not to focus on 'The Discernment of Spirits' by Father Gallagher because she found it to be an extensive explanation of the original text by Saint Ignatius, which she did not find beneficial since she was already familiar with the rules.

What is the first step Saint Ignatius suggests in discerning spirits according to the video?

The first step Saint Ignatius suggests in discerning spirits is to assess whether one is a person who goes for moral sin or a person who is intensely cleansing their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God.

What is the difference between spiritual consolation and desolation according to Saint Ignatius?

According to Saint Ignatius, spiritual consolation is when the soul is inflamed with love for its creator, increasing in hope, faith, and charity, while desolation is the opposite, often characterized by feelings of abandonment by God or a lack of love for Him.

Why does Saint Ignatius advise not to make changes during times of desolation?

Saint Ignatius advises not to make changes during times of desolation because it is a time of spiritual trial and potential deception; one should not act on doubts that arise during this time but rather wait for clarity.

What are the three main reasons for desolation according to Saint Ignatius?

The three main reasons for desolation according to Saint Ignatius are one's own fault due to neglecting prayer life, a test of whether one loves God for Himself or for the consolation He provides, and as a lesson in humility, teaching that it is not in our power to experience spiritual consolation.

How does Saint Ignatius differentiate between thoughts from God and the devil?

Saint Ignatius differentiates between thoughts from God and the devil by examining the course, goals, and effects of the thoughts. Thoughts from God lead to true spiritual gladness and joy, while those from the devil bring sadness and disturbance, often with the goal of causing pride or distraction from God's service.

What advice does Saint Ignatius give for dealing with desolation?

Saint Ignatius advises to use times of consolation as a source of strength for upcoming times of desolation, and during desolation, to remember that these times are temporary and will be followed by periods of consolation.

What additional rules does Saint Ignatius provide for further discernment of spirits?

Saint Ignatius provides additional rules that explain how God and the devil operate in the soul, including how they enter the soul, the nature of their thoughts, and the importance of examining the course of thoughts to discern their origin.