Arranged as a twenty-four week retreat in four phases, this edition is a guide to The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. It incorporates "centering" exercises of awareness patterned on Eastern or Buddhist meditation practices and devotional exercises similar to or drawn from those found in Sadhana, by the late Anthony de Mello, SJ. Poems and prayers by Rainer Maria Rilke, Rabindranath Tagore, T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Edith Sitwell, and others are also included, as well as materials from Teilhard de Chardin's Divine Milieu.
Table of Contents
Preface to the Third Edition
Introduction to Spiritual Exercises
Guidelines for Ignatian Spirituality in Everday Life (ISEL)
Time Allotted for the Exercises
Freedom to Follow God's Promptings
The Director of the Exercises
Written Resources for an ISEL Retreat
Structures of Daily Prayer
Some Ignatian Forms of Prayer
Historical Roots of Ignatian Spirituality
Preparation for Prayer
The Prayer Itself
Reflection on Prayer
Guidelines for the Discernment of Spirits
Awareness Meditation and Its Relation to Ignatian Prayer
Consciousness Examen or Christian Insight Meditation
Format for the Practice of Christian Insight Meditation (CIM)
Preparation for Phase One Prayer
The "How" and "Why" of the Exercises
Historical Background of the Author
Preliminary Recommendation for an ISEL Retreat
From Desolation to God's Healing Love
Phase One of the Exercises: Weeks 1 to 4
Week 1: Soul of Christ, sanctify me!
Week 2: The Principle and Foundation
Week 3: Sin and the Great Struggle
Week 4: A Sinner loved by God
Transition from Phase One to Phase Two
A Consideration or Appeal to Reason
A Perspective on the Call of Christ to Each of Us
The "Foundation of the Second Phase"
Modern Difficulties with the Concept of "King"
Christ's Life: The Basic Theological Principle
Week 5: The Call and the Coming of the Eternal King
Preparation for Phase Two Prayer
Contemplation of the Life of Christ
The Contemplative Prayer of Phase Two
Further Directions by Ignatius from the Exercises
Phase Two of the Exercises: Weeks 6 to 16
Week 6: The Incarnation and Birth of Jesus
Week 7: The "Showing Forth" of the Newborn King
My perception of my Companion and King
Week 8: The Hidden Life of Jesus
Considerations for a Contemplative in Action Today
Week 9: The Strategy of Jesus
Experiences of Consolation and Desolation
Week 10: The Mission Begins
Guidance for the Remainder of Phase Two Prayer
Week 11: Jesus Calls Me by Name
Week 12: Jesus Teaches Me with Words of "Power and Light"
Introduction to Making a Choice of a State or Way of Life
Week 13: Jesus Heals Me
Week 14: Jesus Challenges Me
Week 15: Jesus Nurtures Me
Week 16: Jesus Accepts Love and Bestows Love
Preparation for Phase Three Prayer
The Colloquy: Intensified and Enlarged
The Contemplations of Phase Three
Phase Three of the Exercises: Weeks 17 to 19
Week 17: Jesus is Betrayed
Week 18: Jesus Suffers Injustice, Insults, and Torture
Week 19: The King Mounts His Throne of Glory
Preparation for Phase Four Prayer
Faith Insight into the "Why" of Christian Optimism
Phase Four of the Exercises: Weeks 20 to 24
Week 20: Christ the Lord Conquers Death
Week 21: The King Sends Forth His Followers, and thus the Risen Lord Shares His Mission
Week 22: "I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate [Paraclete]."
Week 23: The Prodigal God: Contemplation on His Love
Love expresses itself in full, mutual sharing
Week 24: Totally in His Hands
Resources for the Study of the Spiritual Exercises
Calendar for the Spiritual Exercises as an ISEL Retreat
