My turn to throw a curve ball at Margaret! “I consider you one of the greatest experts in Ignatian Spirituality. Is there something about your personality, upbringing or experience that prepared you to become a ‘spiritual guru’?”
Dear Paul,
I’m sorry to disillusion you Paul, but I am neither an expert on Ignatian spirituality, nor a “guru,” spiritual or any other kind. Much as I appreciate your kindness, I think we should stay with the truth.
Landmarks, which became Inner Compass in the US, was a complete accident. It was never meant to be a book, and I wrote the entire first draft as a series of handouts for a group that met for quiet days, and before I had ever thought of making the Exercises myself, let alone of publishing a book. Somehow that book seems to have pressed the right kind of buttons in many readers, who, like myself, were groping after practical everyday approaches to the profound reaches of Christian spirituality.
I have often asked myself why that was. I think there are several factors. First, I write with the voice of a woman, and of one not involved with the institutional church as such – a lay person who actually sits very lightly to most things ecclesiastical. (Lopez and I had some interesting conversations around this as we journeyed together). My feeling is that the power of the Exercises lies precisely in their genius in engaging with the dynamic of the spiritual journey that most (not all) ordinary pilgrims can identify with. Actually, I think my freedom from a lot of RC baggage and lack of a Catholic upbringing has been a huge advantage.
But to return to your question, no, not personality or upbringing, but experience would be the key. An “expert” is simply one who has experienced, if my Latin still serves me. In Ignatian spirituality I found a process that resonates with, and nourishes my lived experience. When that happens, the rest just follows.
It’s not anything “special” that holds the key. Quite the reverse – it is plain “ordinariness,” because that is where you discover that the ordinary is almost always extra-ordinary.
Margaret
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I remember finding Landmarks in a bookstore in England and falling in love with it, then offering it to a friend who since then has gone to St Beuno’s every year. I remember also driving to St Beuno’s as if on a pilgrimage to discover this Ignatian center, finding out the place of Gerard Manley Hopkins there, and more of your books, which I bought.
Yes, the fact that you are a woman is important. Thank you for all your help to enter Ignatian Spirituality. I’m very much looking forward to reading Just Call Me Lopez.
Claire,
Forgive me for replying on behalf of Margaret. She is, I believe, directing a retreat right now but I will make sure that she sees what you’ve shared.
Paul
I love the utter, plaintive simplicity of Margaret’s reply. What a reminder that our journey has often been underway, before we take a single step.
And Inner Compass, what can I say – my now dog-eared copy of this book shows the love that I have for it, and the need that I have for it, as well.
Fran,
How evocative your choice of word is! Plaintive. Wonderful, isn’t it.
I join in your love for the book.
Paul
What is an expert? For some time I have had a problem with over studying and minutely disecting the Exercises. I like Margaret’s reply because it speaks to my belief that the Exercises need to be felt and lived. Experts can become so sure of their own interpretation that they close off other possibilities and this is to bury much of the riches of the Exercises. Anyone who has directed someone in the Exercises knows there is no limit to the variety of ways God speaks through them
Maria,
Amen. If the Exercises are not “felt and lived” then there is no point to them.
Paul
It sounds to me like Margaret has the idea of wisdom comes with age and experience, unless of course you are truly gifted and enlightened at an early stage of life and that rarely happens. When it does it really is a gift (or burden as some of the saints lives would testify) but I guess that most people tend to see where God has touched them looking back on life’s journey. Some of the Ignatian tool kit, like the Exercises and the Examen, I suppose try to get us in touch with that on a more timely basis than when we are 90, sitting in our rocking chair and thinking “Oh yes, I suppose He was nudging me then. I wish I had paid a bit more attention.”
Simon,
Funny you should talk about the Examen because today during mine I realized (again) that I’m not trusting the work of the Spirit. Glad I found out (again) before I’m 90!
Paul
There’s a freshness and ease to Margaret’s approach that makes her work immediately accessible. I remember pouring over Landmarks (not sure how I ended up with a copy) long before I heard the phrase “Ignatian spirituality.”
Great discussion!
Robin,
Today at the Press we finished a two-day consultation with experts about how to present the Exercises in fresh and relevant ways. During our discussion, I thought: “I want Robin’s perspective on this.” I will be in touch as we move forward…
Paul
It is a wonderful and genuine humility and I thoroughly appreciate it.
Annette,
Yes, it does strike me as genuine humility and it’s very impressive, isn’t it?
Paul
I’ve been reading Inner Compass slowly over the last few weeks. Like the other Margaret Silf books, it’s nothing short of astonishing in the way that she uses metaphors and parables to illuminate spiritual truths … I love it when a book about prayer is so *grounded* in the everyday. Her books have played a huge part in the deepening of my prayer life over the last year. Thank you, Margaret, and please keep doing what you’re doing!
Ginny,
I simply join you in expressing gratitude for Margaret.
Paul
I like the reminder that “expert” is one with experience….
Michelle,
Well, yes. I guess that makes me an expert goofball!
Paul