There are times when we feel ‘up’ or ‘down’ - we are not always so sure why, though.
Ignatius of Loyola outlines 14 guidelines (rules) for discerning the ups and downs
Ref. to Gordon Smith: “Heart and Mind” - the need for mindful discernment of the emotions
Consider the implications for a ‘impassioned’ tradition of Pentecostalism. How do we discern the spirits in our own lives and communities?
Introducing the Exercises
Not primarily about ‘decision making’ - more so a paying attention to the thought and stirrings of the heart: “Why do I feel the way I do (positively and negatively) about certain things?”
What is from God? I.e. how do I recognize the voice of God?
What is from the enemy/tempter?
Combining the Head and the Heart
“There is only one human being”
While some would tend to separate us into “mind” and “body” or “intellect” and “emotion”, the Ignatian exercises do well to being us together into an integrated whole
