Overview 

This 4-week online seminar series explores key themes and tools of Ignatian spirituality at a more advanced level. It is intended for trained spiritual directors who want to refresh and deepen their understanding and practice in offering ongoing spiritual direction and in accompanying the Full Spiritual Exercises.

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‍1. The spirits are out of the bottle: In what way do the good spirit and bad spirit turn up in everyday life and in ongoing spiritual direction. How can the rules of the exercises help us, and our directees to notice what spirits are at work.

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2. The usefulness of desolation: Staying with and following consolation is key in Ignatian spirituality but it can seem as if we are ignoring desolation. St Ignatius himself tells us that desolation can be a gift, given to us to help us grow in freedom and draw closer to God. How can we keep the balance and explore the darkness from a place of light.

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3.False consolation everywhere:St Ignatius talks about the deceptive angel of light, and encourages us to be cautious of the afterglow of consolation. What does it mean as a director to remain indifferent in the face of apparent consolation. How can we help our directees to dig a little deeper to recognise the true gold hidden in the false gold.

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4. On being a discerning director: What does it mean for me, as a spiritual director to discern, during the session, and outside. How should my ongoing practice of discernment help me to guide others.