Spiritual Discernment

1
Spiritual Discernment
2
To Discern means

• To separate or distinguish (from the Latin
  'discernere')

• To test in crisis or to distinguish good and evil
  (from the Greek 'diakrisis')

• To find the authentic and valuable and to
  recognize the counterfeit

• To locate the immediate and particular
  within the vision of the broad and distant
  landscape (to see the trees in the forest)

...
3
To see to the heart of the matter with spiritual
eyes to see beneath the surface of events,
through illusions within human systems beyond
the immediate and transient...
... to bring our thoughts and actions (as best as
humankind is able) in line with the will and
desire of God.
4
Some underlying assumptions
God's Presence
We believe in a self-revealing God who desires to
be in relationship with the created world.
5
Some underlying assumptions
Our Practice
We assume that seeking God's will is the ultimate
value in our knowledge and experience... and that
our seeking will lead to an understanding of
God's yearning.
6
Some underlying assumptions
Our Posture
That we are willing to accept and to live out
God's will... and that the practice of
discernment is life-long.
7
God's Presence We believe in a self-revealing
God who desires to be in relationship with the
created world.
Our Practice We assume that seeking God's will
is the ultimate value in our knowledge and
experience... and that our seeking will lead to
an understanding of God's yearning.
Our Posture That we are willing to accept and to
live out God's will... and that the practice of
discernment is life-long.
8
Fear of impossible tasks
Fear of hardship
What keeps us from 'going to God' with our
questions?
Excess sophistication
Lack of faith
9
Grounding
Shedding
Rooting
Listening
Improving
Framing
Resting
Weighing
Exploring
Closing
10
Framing
Identifies the focus for the practice States the
question to be asked of God - God, is it your
will that... God, what is your will in the
matter of...
11
Grounding
Sets boundaries around the process Naming some
of the 'guiding principles' or 'values' that seem
to relate to the question.
12
Rooting
Allows our faith and community traditions to
confront, confirm, correct... or even radically
change the direction of the discernment. Connecti
ng biblical stories, images and themes to the
present situation. Connecting community stories,
images and themes to the present situation.
13
Shedding
Allows the matter to be discussed openly and
honestly. Community confesses preconceived
biases and assumptions. Individuals confess ego
needs and desired outcomes.
14
Listening
Enables us to hear the promptings of the spirit
of God. Listening to voices in the discerning
community. Listening to voices outside the
discerning community. Listening to voices from
the margins.
15
Exploring
Frees our imaginations to explore options and
paths. Brainstorming possible alternatives. Draw
ing possible alternatives. Modeling possible
alternatives. Praying or meditating
16
Improving
Takes the three best options and makes them the
best that they can be. Consulting about ways to
improve each option. Discussing ways to improve
each option. Praying about ways to improve each
option. Working together to improve each option.
17
Weighing
Sorts and tests the various paths. John Cassian's
test... Is it filled with what is good for
all? Is it heavy with the fear of God? Is it
genuine in the feelings that underlie it? Is it
lightweight with the desire for show or
novelty? Has vainglory lessened its merit?
18
Closing
Brings the sorting and testing to a
conclusion. More prayer and silence... and
choosing the option to which we believe we are
guided.
19
Resting
Tests the decision... at least overnight. Letting
it rest near the heart. What feelings does it
bring... - those of desolation - those of
consolation
20
Safeguards
If at any time the practice seems to be stopped,
return to a prior step to see if it is really
complete... or needs more work. Has the question
been properly framed... or do you need to
re-frame it... or ask a different question? Is
the search grounded in the right values?
21
Safeguards (cont.)
Are there other stories in which to root the
search? Has everyone shed their personal agendas
and disclosed their biases toward certain
outcomes?
22
What are we hoping for?
That God's will be done.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Nothing else.
23
Much of what is found in this presentation is
excerpted from the work of Danny E. Morris
Charles M. Olsen in Discerning Gods Will
Together A Spiritual Practice for the Church
and Selecting Church Leaders A Practice in
Spiritual Discernment by the same authors. This
presentation is thanks to Reverend Richard Bott.