The Audacious Invitation: Why the Ignatian Exercises Might Be Exactly What You Need
Laura Longville
We live in a world obsessed with efficiency. We crave quick fixes, 10-step programs, and microwave spirituality. But what if the most profound transformation requires something more? Enter the Ignatian Exercises: a 9-month retreat-in-daily life, centuries old, that dares you to confront yourself, rewrite your story, and discover a life set ablaze by purpose.
Audacious Act #1: Facing the Shadow Self
The Ignatian Exercises (IE) don't sugarcoat reality. They plunge you into the depths of your desires, forcing you to confront your deepest fears and motivations. It's a brutal honesty check – are you living a life aligned with your values, or are you simply sleepwalking through existence? This audacity can be terrifying, but it's also liberating. By acknowledging the darkness, you create space for the light.
Audacious Act #2: Discerning God's Whispers
In the constant hum of daily life, it's easy to miss divine nudges. The IE equip you with the art of discernment—a practice of becoming attuned to the subtle movements of your heart. Is this decision driven by ego or by a deeper calling? This audacity to believe God speaks to us, not through booming voices but through quiet whispers, is revolutionary in a world that often drowns out the sacred.
Audacious Act #3: Finding God in Everything.
The Exercises don't confine God to churches or scriptures. They invite you to seek the God in every experience, from the sunrise to the soul-crushing moment at work. It's audacious to suggest God is everywhere, but the Exercises can awaken you to a world brimming with grace.
Audacious Act #4: A Complete Life Transformation.
Many spiritual practices offer comfort or solace. The IE offer transformation. They confront your desires, expose your attachments, and nudge you towards a life lived "for the greater glory of God." It's audacious to believe your life can be radically different, but the Exercises provide a roadmap for getting there.
Audacious Act #5: Choosing More Than Happiness
The IE challenge the happiness obsession of our times. They propose a more audacious goal: finding your "Magis," your "more." It's about aligning yourself with something bigger, a purpose that ignites your soul and compels you to act. This isn't about fleeting pleasure; it's about a life of passionate service, a life that matters.
The Ignatian Exercises are not for the faint of heart. They demand a commitment of time, introspection, and a willingness to be transformed. But the rewards are immeasurable for those brave enough to take the plunge. It's an audacious invitation, but perhaps that's exactly what our world – and your soul – needs.
Are you ready to answer the call?
If you’re curious or ready to answer the call, visit my website and learn more. The Ignatian Exercises start mid-September.