Theology IV: Discernment, Consolation, & Desolation

discernment

the act of distinguishing one thing from the other, or separating one thing from the other; distinguishing what leads us closer to God & fulfilling His will for us

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how many Ignatian Rules for Discernment are there?

false spirit

the “inner pull” away from God’s plan & away from faith, hope, & love; aka the “evil spirit” or “the enemy of our human nature”

true spirit

the “inner pull” toward God’s plan & toward faith, hope, & love; aka the “good spirit”

desolation

the state of being under the influence of the false spirit

consolation

the state of being under the influence of the true spirit & in profound inner peace & joy

when in desolation

• empty of faith, hope, & love

• empty of the sense of God’s closeness

• full of restlessness (disquietude) & agitation

• full of boredom & apathy (tepidity)

• full of fear & worry

• full of secrecy

examen

a quick daily reflection on the spirits that have stirred my thoughts, emotions, & actions this day

confusion

the subcategory of desolation

false consolation

an advanced form of desolation

when in consolation

i have:

• faith, hope & love

• a sense of God’s closeness

• peace & tranquility

• great desires

• transparency

true perspective

a subcategory of consolation

support network

mentors, companions, & the Church

spiritual direction

the process of meeting regularly with a person trained to help me with my relationship with God

companion

a friend to whom i can entrust the more personal aspects of my life

St. Ignatius’ 3 Causes of Desolation

1. I have fallen into sin & God has allowed desolation to come as a natural consequence

2. God allows desolation to come in order to “test me” so that my faith will grow stronger.

3. God allows desolation to come in order to give me the great gift of humility, a core Ignatian virtue, so I do not become spiritual prideful.

agere contra

literally, to “act against”, the choice to do the opposite of what i am tempted to do in desolation

8 Ways to Deal with Desolation

1. name it

2. make no unnecessary changes

3. rely on your support network

4. consider logistical or moral causes

5. be aware of the false angel of light

6. be firm with the false spirit

7. be gentle with yourself

8. have faith that God is at work in your desolation

6 Ways to Build Fortifications while in Consolation

1. Name the weak spots in me during prayer.

2. Bring my weak spots to my support network.

3. If appropriate, tell others about this vulnerability.

4. Commit myself to prayer during times I feel especially vulnerable.

5. Ask the Lord to help me move slowly & delibrately thorugh the tense moments.

6. Choose to be proactive rather than reactive.

4 Ways to Prepare for Desolation

1. observe the course of thoughts

2. look out for false consolation

3. attend to vulnerabilities

4. seek God in your painful past

first principle & foundation

the statement that answers the big questions about the purpoes of my life & the purpose of this decision during discernment

Ignatian indifference

the grace-filled state of desiring to do God’s will & to praise, revere, & serve God more than desiring anything else; the state of graceful availability