Customer Reviews

The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a frequent business traveler and often look for books that can be brought along for my trips. This one is a "keeper" and I highly recommend this work as an "owner's manual" as well as a "service manual" for the spiritual journey.

The reason this work is important is that Fr. Gallagher presents fourteen Ignatian Rules, which have been available for hundreds of years, to patiently lead the reader to an uncommon level of understanding about often difficult spiritual issues. You may find that there are a lot of "aha!" moments when reading this book. It's not a "technical" read at all but you begin to see that, like works by other former military leaders, Ignatius provides strategies that are rather like "Sun Tzu for the Spirit:" his rules are very tactical, and Fr Gallagher provides the commentary that allows readers to put these rules into context as well as to better understand why, how, and when they should be applied.

Finally, readers of any faith would find great value in this book. While the content is focused on the work of Ignatius, the context, examples, and application of Fr. Gallagher's work crosses almost any denomination. I highly recommend this work.

I really liked this book. I bought it to discern a spiritual choice. For a Christian especially, it's very helpful in understanding the different spirits...spirit of joy, of fear, of peace, lukewarmness, despair, agitation etc that we experience. It makes a world of difference WHO is sending these feelings between the Good ( God, Angels etc)and the bad( Devil etc). The same feeling means something different when sent by different Spirits. Example.... Agitation caused by the Holy Spirit intends and if successful does a good job of awakening a conscience, calling for repentance after sin etc. The same agitation sent by the enemy aims at and does if successful the opposite and wounds the person, by stealing their peace in moments when they want to be faithful to God etc. I already gladly and quickly recommended this book to a friend but wanted to let anyone here who ever wonders why they feel so many things spiritually know that this is the book to reach for. The writer does a good job and takes a good pace that reinforces what is covered. The material is from St. Ignatius.....the 'Father' of solid and fruitful discernment. Knowledge is power especially in knowing what the enemy wants and resisting giving in to him. This book is an easy, interesting read and a joy to apply. I came here to look if the author has written the second book continuing the second part of St. Ignatious Excercises. This first part( this book) was meant to be tackled apart from the second one and recommended thus for a fruitful absorption and interaction with the material. So, this book is complete by itself for it's purposes.

In years past, I had tried my hand at reading the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola without much to show for it. The exercises are very terse and concise. But with Fr. Gallagher's book, I finally got the practical commentary that opens up the mind and intent of St. Ignatius Loyola. After years of Jesuit education, I finally got it.

Wow. I attended an Ignatian school in grade school and again for University, but it wasn't until I read this book that my love for Saint Ignatius came to an informed reverence for the gift that God has given him to be able to prepare and form a movement of missionaries who faced the most adverse of conditions against physical, emotional and spiritual attacks. For a person who is seriously seeking God, the rules of discernment in this book are very helpful if not essential in making decisions that will bring him/her farther along in the journey.

Now if only this humble critic can only get these rules from his mind to his heart, then practice it with love, then he'll be set.

I have been struggling for a few years with evil spirits invading my times of prayer and creating doubt and havoc in my spiritual life in general. The experience was quite disturbing and grew worse over time. This was the first book I have found that describes what can happen and gives suggestions for working your way through this issue. I can say that things are improving for me because I am implementing the suggestions from this book and from the other two in this trilogy on the examen prayer and spiritual consolations. Fr. Gallagher did not invent these ideas, they are from rules of Ignatius, but he presents these teachings so the contemporary reader can apply it easily. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for this help. I would recommend this book to anyone who is on a path of spiritual growth--especially for contemplatives.

This book will be a real blessing for anybody who struggles in the spiritual life.i.e you.It is the best book I have read on spiritual matters as it is the most practical by far.Fr Gallagher is a gifted Priest who skillfully mines the teaching of St Ignatius .Filled with examples that will draw the reader in ,as they will readily identify with the characters in question and their inner turmoil and then be lead to rejoice at the path of discernment shown by Fr Gallagher.Discernment being the way to understand your anguish and oftentimes contradictory feelings.Now I realize that trying to advance in the life of the spirit without the practice of discernment is akin to driving at night without headlights.The greatest aspect of the book is that it is in no way vague.It avoids the pitfalls of most spiritual books that rely on a prosey style to keep you going.This is a fascinating read as it shows you the workings of your own soul.Fr Gallaghers book should be in every seminary and in the library of every serious Christian.

Timothy Gallagher did an excellent job of detailing the St. Ignatian rules of discernment. The rules are explained with practical situations outlining how discernment can be used on a day to day basis. Even a beginner, with little to no experience with discernment, can pick up this book and learn quickly how to apply it to daily life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to recieve and cultivate the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment (seeing with God's eyes). It is a gift that can dramatically change your life and view about the world as it can greatly improve your relationship with God. If you live out the rules outlined in this book, you will find yourself to be much less spiritually blind in your life choices as you learn to recognize what is of God and what is not of God.

I found this book to be very insightful and helpful. Timothy Gallagher tends to be repitious when trying to make his point. However, he realy helped me to understand the movements of the heart. I recommend this book to any Christian who is truly seeking guidance from the Ignatian rules. It is important to note that this is NOT a formula for spiritual living. This book should be used to help Christians understand the spiritual desolation and consolation they are experiencing on their spiritual journey and how to discern the good and bad spirits. The book is also great when it comes to advising Christians on how to handle the various movements of their heart.

I am glad I bought this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life. The Discernment of Spirits is an excellent review of St. Ignatius's rules. Father Gallagher includes people's experiences to clearly illustrate how to apply the rules in real life. Spiriutal consolation and desolation are a normal part of our experience. Unless we learn how to respond to both forces, we will be hindered in our spiritual formation. I am already using the rules to further my spiritual development.

A wonderfully contemporary commentary on the Rules contained in the Spritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. Recoomend this to all those who are interested in expanding their spiritual life.