Ignatius of Loyola's Second Rules for Discernment A User's Guide Spiritual Directors

"Ignatius's First Rules assist directors and their directees in discernments involving spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation. These fourteen rules provide invaluable aid at such times. Forty years of writing about, teaching, and applying these rules have shown me that Ignatius's First Rules are uniquely helpful when people struggle with spiritual desolation. These rules clarify the enemy's tactic and point the way to freedom. Our focus in this book, however, is Ignatius's Second Rules. In these eight rules, Ignatius addresses a more complex discernment. When a person has matured in the spiritual life, a time may come when the enemy changes tactics. Now he seeks less to discourage through spiritual desolation and begins, rather, to imitate the good spirit. He brings consolation with good, even holy thoughts-but directed toward a thing that God does not desire for this person. The enemy, Ignatius says, tempts this dedicated person under the appearance of good. If the temptation is not discerned, it will lead ultimately to harm for this person and for the others, usually many, whose lives this person touches. In his Second Rules, Ignatius provides a key to resolve such discernments"--

Pagina's: 98, Paperback, Crossroad Publishing