Each year during high school, my daughter participated in forensics. As a forensics’ mom, I was trained to judge competitions. I was taught to rate the performances by what “drew me in”; and, conversely, by what “drew me out.” For example, when the participant chewed gum and made no eye contact, it was difficult to attend to their words; this drew me out. If they gave attention to pacing and tone of voice, this drew me in. By attending to how the speaker provoked and moved my inner experience, I was able to assess and recognize quality performances.
I realize this example is actually similar to a technique given by St. Ignatius of Loyola for assessing the inner prompts and workings of the Holy Spirit. St Ignatius asks us to pay attention to what draws us towards God and what pulls us away from God. He calls these movements consolations and desolations. The Holy Spirit draws us in during our day through consolations – experiences that bring us closer to God. And desolations draw us out; they are the experiences that move us away from God. The key is to pay attention and then discern what the movement of the Holy Spirit is teaching.
So, I asked: What draws me in? And what can I do to help me pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s movement in my life? Like St Ignatius, paying attention to how a situation, action, or event draws me in may help bring awareness of His presence in my life. It may help me discern His Will.
Awareness of consolations can be facilitated through prayer. During our conversation with God, we are called to pay attention to our feelings and thoughts. Similarly, if we pay attention during our daily lives, we will ‘hear’ the movements of the Holy Spirit. Hopefully, we will recognize the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Ga 5:22-26). I think the fruits of the Holy Spirit are gifts of consolations – we realize something has happened that drew us closer to God. Love and joy are recognized. Often, if we really attend, we can experience these fruits despite the circumstance we are in.
Some final thoughts: For more information regarding St. Ignatius and his spirituality, check out:
The Catholic Thinker Movement 