Where to go, what to see, what to love... Discernment Where to go, what to see, what to love...

Beginning of series Practical prayer practices Contemplative community callings

Discerning – not “judging” Subjective not objective Seeking my own path Seeing the good and beautiful in everything (not the opposite) Motivation – quest or scavenger hunt

1. A Second Set of Eyes Tuning into spiritual help Intentional invitation/time/effort Attitude of submitting/wrestling/lamenting

2. In the direction of love Golden Rule Empathy – effortful care for self/others Bias toward inclusion – love for enemies and strangers

3. In the direction of life What is literally and/or emotionally life-giving?

4. “Smells like Jesus” Getting to know Jesus well enough that it helps your discernment intuitively Read the gospels and good books about the NT Other reliable guides Icons not idols

5. Know by the fruit What has been learned through experience (yours and those you know/trust well) Experiment as part of discernment (“gamble” on life and love) Avoid positions on situations you haven’t known and people you haven’t cared about

6. Trust wisely Trust people but remember human motivations and deceitfulness Consider of demonstrated character and history of reliability (Note – agreeing with your worldview is not a reliable test of character) Check and assess evidence

7. Soft bosom and a firm backbone Welcome with acceptance, interest, and care Give courage and help to stand tall

8. Solidarity with poor/weak Recognize our poverty/weakness “Standing with” doesn’t mean poor are always right

9. Ends don’t justify means Doesn’t mean being overly scrupulous or legalistic But the chosen means should feel like they can be integrated within and not opposed to the desired ends

10. Be aware of your “elephant” Know your triggers/reactions/baggage Put them in perspective – i.e. Know you need a counter-balance to them

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