Ignatian Spirituality 101
Spirituality is both the awareness of and our reaction to God’s presence in the world. Everyone, whether conscious of it or not, has a spirituality. Engaging with our spirituality influences how we navigate the most profound questions in life — of meaning, connection, and how to live: Who is God? Who am I in relationship to God? How can I communicate with God? How do I relate to other people? How can I make a difference in the world? How can my relationship with God impact the choices I make?
Consciously engaging our spirituality with our actions, reflections, and decision-making keeps us grounded in that which is real and larger than ourselves and our own ego.
Through his own experience of prayer and exploring these profound questions, St. Ignatius of Loyola formulated the Spiritual Exercises and their guiding principles in order to help people orient their lives toward God and therefore toward greater freedom to love and fullness of life.
Ignatian Spirituality is a way to experience Christ. There are many ways to learn more about God and spirituality, but experiencing Christ through retreats and St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises often leads people to a deeper relationship with God and the world.
IgnatianSpirituality.com offers this definition:
"Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others."