The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Guide for Everyday Life (Paperback)

by Timothy M. Gallagher (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, is one of the most influential spiritual leaders of all time, yet many readers find his Rules for Discernment hard to understand. What can Ignatius teach us about the discernment of spirits that lies at the very heart of Christian life? In The Discernment of Spirits, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, a talented teacher, retreat leader, and scholar, helps us understand the Rules and how their insights are essential for our spiritual growth today. By integrating the Rules and the experience of contemporary people, Gallagher shows the precision, clarity, and insight of Ignatius's Rules, as well as the relevance of his thought for spiritual life today. When we learn to read Ignatius correctly, we discover in his remarkable words our own struggles, joys, and triumphs. This book is for all who desire greater awareness of God's action in their daily spiritual lives, and is essential reading for retreat directors, spiritual directors, priests, and counselors.

About the Author
Timothy Gallagher holds a doctorate from the Gregorian and has been a retreat leader for over two decades. He lives at St. Clements Shrine, Boston, MA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824522915
• ISBN-13: 978-0824522919
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,159 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended: Sun Tzu for the Spirit, August 11, 2006

By	Brian F. Shea (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars knowledge is power and one would want this kinda power., February 24, 2006

By	Seeker. "A.N" (USA.) - See all my reviews

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.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opens Up the Spiritual Exercises of Loyola, December 4, 2007

By	Oswald Sobrino "CatholicAnalysis.blogspot.com" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.