This paperback by David Lonsdale, who teaches spirituality at Heythrop College, University of London, is part of Orbis's "Traditions of Christian Spirituality Series," edited by Philip Sheldrake. Ignatius Loyola was the sixteenth century founder of the Society of Jesus — the Jesuits. The path of discipleship he advocated emphasizes everyday spirituality and a devotional life of meditative and contemplative prayer.
After discussing Ignatius's views of Jesus, the world, and the Trinity, Lonsdale covers the art of discernment, which he believes is at the heart of any genuine Christian spirituality. What does this involve? "Discernment of spirits in everyday life involves us in a process of sifting our daily experience by noting and reflecting regularly on our affective responses to God and to life and its events. It means noting, for example, situations and events in which we experience joy or sorrow, peace or turmoil, attractions or revulsions, an opening out to others or a narrowing in on ourselves, a sense of God's presence or absence, creativity or destructiveness. The purpose of observing and reflecting on these patterns of responses is that they deepen our sense of ourselves and they can show us where, for each of us, our Christian path lies, where the Spirit of God is leading."
Ignatian spiritual direction explores a person's relationship to God and the challenges of growth in the Spirit. Lonsdale concludes with an overview of Ignatian spirituality and the church, lay Christians, and gender issues.
