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“AS WE BEGIN: our wonders, fears, hopes and learning styles”
Below are the responses Ignatian Adventurers made to the preliminary questions asked by Deacon Claude BEFORE starting the journey…
WHAT DO I WONDER AS I BEGIN?
…I wonder what this program will involve
…Can I stick with this and truly learn
…Life, happiness, future, relationships. I have had a good run and done some pretty interesting things considering where I started. I have had a peripheral of God and being Catholic so interested in understanding this concept (if you will) and relationship more
…(wondered but never asked before) Since most cultures and societies seem to embrace similar ‘creation myths’ and belief in a higher power, why do we dismiss them as pagans or heaven?
…What time commitment to make; what Ignatian spirituality looks like for non religious; who are it’s leading practitioners besides Ignatius?
…Where this will lead in my spiritual life
…Will I go to heaven
…I wonder if the afterlife is really as they say. How do we know?
…time constraints, doing with spouse
…What the exercises actually are! I’ve heard about them forever, but am clueless!
…Do I have the right mindset to go on this adventure? Is it the right thing for me?
…Will it be as rich and meaningful as my past Ignatian experience
…Where this experience of prayer will lead
…What this is and what it will entail
…will this journey help me as I journey toward the last chapter of my life and those other family members who are in failing mental and physical health?
…I want to remain open to the process
…How to incorporate this new knowledge into my daily life, into my personal relationships with others, my job, friends, etc.
WHAT DO I FEAR?
…I fear not going to heaven
…Finding out about my worst attributes and truly far away I am from the truth
…Not much. I can handle failure and the unknown (I jumped out of airplanes in the military) so I am not sure
…I fear that our own society and indeed, our faith, may not survive the current climate of isolation, divisiveness and hatred of ‘the other’ Is this a “new normal”
...Being the only young male involved being asked to be too intimate with group mates more
…Not keeping up with the commitment and/or not fully participating in the adventure
…I won’t go to heaven
…I fear how people are turning away from God, even my own family
…not understanding – that the Ignatian prayer adventure will be above my head -did this ten years ago and dropped out as it was very academic
…That I find things about myself that I don’t really like. That the exercises won’t “click” with me. I’m not sure the Jesuit charism fits me like a glove.
…I will not have the Biblical knowledge that I need and I will feel uncomfortable in the small group
…no fears to speak of
…have taken the Ignatian Spiritual exercise about 30 years ago and I know there are some tough questions I will need to reflect on in my relationship with God
…being vulnerable
…facing my faults
…I don’t really fear anything about it as I don’t know what it is yet! I guess I am worried that it might be a huge time commitment
…that I will not get understanding and everything out of the adventure
…fear closes you down. I am not fearful of something new.
...becoming overwhelmed with this, Stephen Ministry, RCIA, everything at home and at school
WHAT DO I HOPE TO GAIN?
…I hope to gain knowledge of how to better serve the Lord
…closer relationship with Jesus
…closer relationship with my faith and my family
…I’m not sure what I hope to gain; as you say, ‘not knowing where it will lead’
…How can this help me be a better teacher? Be more generous with my time? Appreciate Communion more deeply? Work on stumbling blocks preventing chastity and good works (rather than just good thoughts)
…a deeper relationship with Jesus – getting to know him better
…closer relationship with God
…I hope top gain a stronger faith, a new closeness to God, which I have lost in the past few months
…better insight into the Word of God – praying “better” and making a daily commitment. I am excited to do this
…I hope to know myself better. I hope to understand how Stg. Ignatius thought this was helpful in becoming closer to God
…A more enriched prayer life and renewed relationship with God
…ever increasing knowledge and love of God…how to find God in all things…peace and acceptance of Hi swill for me. Renewed passion for God and His word…expand my faith
…a renewed spirit of contemplative prayer hoping to become more comfortable with the “quiet“ of prayer
…closer, more intimate relationship with God
…wisdom to discern His will for my life
…I hope to learn a way of praying that is effective. I hope it brings peace of mind about things I am struggling with
…closeness to God’s plan for me …insight and understanding about the world I live in, how I relate to others especially friends and family
…an increased level of inner peace and continued growth in discerning God’s message and plan for me
SELF-PROCLAMATIONS of LEARNING STYLE/PREFERENCE
(n.b. many participants chose more than one learning style for themselves)
Visual 13
Auditory 11
Reading/writing 12
Kinesthetic 4 (only 1 participant chose only “kinesthetic” as their style)