Ignatian Discernment | Ask Iggy

Summary

In this episode of 'Ask Iggy' from the Jesuit Post, hosts Danny Gustafson and Brian Strassburger delve into the concept of discernment, particularly in making significant life decisions with a spiritual dimension. They clarify that discernment is not about choosing between good and evil, but rather between different good options. The discussion highlights St. Ignatius's teachings on consolation and desolation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing feelings of peace and growth versus emptiness and restlessness when making choices. The episode offers practical advice from Ignatius on discerning the right path, including listing pros and cons, considering advice to others, and reflecting on end-of-life perspectives. It concludes with the reassurance that discernment is about choosing among good options and trusting the process, with God's guidance.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Discernment is the process of making decisions with God's guidance, especially for significant life choices.
• 🙏 It's not about choosing between good and bad, but rather discerning between two good options.
• 🌟 St. Ignatius introduces the concepts of 'consolation' and 'desolation' to understand one's inner feelings during decision-making.
• 😌 Consolation is experienced as a feeling of peace and alignment with faith, hope, and love, indicating a path God might be calling you to.
• 😔 Desolation is characterized by feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and restlessness, suggesting a path not aligned with God's will.
• 🤔 Discernment should not be rushed; it's important to be in a state of consolation rather than desolation when making decisions.
• 📝 St. Ignatius suggests listing pros and cons, imagining advice to others, and considering end-of-life perspectives to aid in decision-making.
• 🛌 Reflecting on death-bed thoughts can provide clarity by offering a long-term perspective on the significance of current choices.
• 🙏 After making a decision, pray for confirmation and pay attention to feelings of consolation as signs of a good discernment.
• 🌈 Remember, when discerning, you are choosing among good options, so trust the process and know that God is with you throughout.

Q & A

What is discernment as discussed in the video?

Discernment is about decision making that involves bringing God into the picture for higher stakes choices. It's not about choosing between good and bad, but rather discerning between the good and the good.

Why is discernment important according to the video?

Discernment is important because it helps individuals make significant life choices by being attentive to feelings of peace and growth in faith, hope, and love, rather than just making decisions based on surface-level emotions.

What does St. Ignatius mean by 'consolation'?

St. Ignatius refers to 'consolation' as the feeling of peace and being inflamed with love for one's Creator and Lord, which can indicate the option that God is calling an individual to.

How is 'desolation' described in the context of discernment?

In the context of discernment, 'desolation' is described as feeling empty, hopeless, and restless, which is the opposite of consolation and might suggest that an option is not what God has in mind for an individual.

What advice does St. Ignatius give for making tough discernments?

St. Ignatius suggests three techniques for making tough discernments: listing pros and cons, imagining what advice one would give to someone else in the same situation, and considering the decision from the perspective of one's death bed.

Why should one not make big decisions when in a state of desolation?

One should not make big decisions when in a state of desolation because it indicates a feeling of being distant from God, which is not the best time for making significant life choices.

What does the video suggest doing after making a decision through discernment?

After making a decision through discernment, the video suggests praying for confirmation and looking for signs of God's consolation in the ensuing days to ensure the decision is in line with one's spiritual path.

How does the video encourage viewers to approach the discernment process?

The video encourages viewers to trust the discernment process, let go of lingering doubts, and know that God will always be with them, emphasizing that they are discerning among good options.

What is the significance of the phrase 'discerning among goods' mentioned in the video?

The phrase 'discerning among goods' signifies that all options being considered are good, and the discernment process is about finding the best fit for an individual's spiritual journey rather than choosing between right and wrong.

How does the video relate the concept of discernment to everyday life decisions?

The video relates discernment to everyday life decisions by illustrating that it's not about obvious choices between good and bad, but rather about making choices between two good options, such as staying with a pre-med biology major or switching to theology.