More About Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
What are the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises?
The Spiritual Exercises are a guided journey of prayer, reflection, and self-awareness that helps us become spiritually free to desire and choose what God desires for us. At their heart, the Exercises invite us into a deeper experience of God's love and a growing friendship with Christ.
Before we can become securely attached to God, we need to experience him as loving, compassionate, interested in our well-being, kind, and faithful. Many of us believe these things intellectually, but knowing about someone is different from encountering them personally. The Spiritual Exercises are designed to foster that encounter.
Throughout the Exercises, we prayerfully enter the Gospel stories using our imagination, placing ourselves within the scenes and accompanying Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection. Along the way, we discover Ignatian themes such as holy indifference, freedom from disordered attachments, discerning God's voice, and finding God in all things.
Ignatius of Loyola developed the Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century after his own profound conversion and experience of learning to trust God's love. For more than 500 years, Christians around the world have prayed through the Exercises and found them to be a life-changing path of deeper intimacy with Christ.
The Spiritual Exercises are not primarily a curriculum to complete or a body of knowledge to master—they are an invitation to encounter the living Christ. As we grow in friendship with him, we discover greater freedom to love, discern, and follow wherever he leads.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Spiritual Exercises
Who are the Spiritual Exercises for?
The Spiritual Exercises are for anyone who desires to know Jesus more deeply. While they certainly deepen our understanding of Scripture, their primary purpose is not gaining information but cultivating relationship. As we encounter the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in prayer, we grow in love, freedom, and friendship with God.
The Exercises have traditionally been used by those discerning a vocation or major life decision, but they are equally meaningful for anyone who simply longs for a deeper relationship with Christ and greater freedom to follow where he leads.
What’s the time investment for the Spiritual Exercises?
DAILY
Spend about an hour in prayer and reflection:
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40 minutes of prayer with Scripture using Ignatian contemplation or imaginative prayer
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20 minutes of journaling and reflecting on your experience
WEEKLY
Meet with me for 30–60 minutes to prayerfully reflect on your week and receive the next set of Scripture passages and prayer materials.
Ignatius emphasized that every retreat should be adapted to the unique work of the Holy Spirit in each person. Rather than following a rigid schedule, we'll move at a pace that honors where God is leading you.
The Exercises typically take about nine months to complete. Life inevitably brings interruptions, so there is grace built into the journey. Even so, because of the significant commitment involved, I encourage you to prayerfully consider whether this is the right season to begin.
What is my financial investment for the Spiritual Exercises?
The total investment for the full retreat is $2,000, which includes at least 30 weeks of individual spiritual direction.
Payment is made through a $400 initial deposit followed by eight monthly payments of $200.
GOD IS CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES EVERY DAY
Testimonial
“I am so grateful to Carey for compassionately walking me through the eight months of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. It was an incredible experience being led by Carey, and I looked forward to each week. Within just the first few minutes of every session, I felt centered and experienced the love of Jesus so deeply.
Carey truly understood my desire to deepen my relationship with Jesus, discern God’s will, and grow in spiritual freedom. Although I was not new to the Spiritual Exercises, Carey’s beautiful and caring spirit, along with her deep understanding of my heart and her ability to help me recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit within me, allowed me to go very deep spiritually. Her understanding of the Ignatian Exercises and of Scripture enriched our sessions and helped me walk deeply through the life of Jesus in prayer and reflection.
As our eight months drew to a close, Carey thoughtfully reflected on my experience, gently helping me see the ways I had grown and how the Spirit had been present throughout the journey. I am in awe of Carey’s wisdom, compassion, and genuine connection with God.
I would highly recommend Carey as a Spiritual Director, Compassion Coach, or companion through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. I grew tremendously through this experience and am deeply appreciative.”
Suzie, CA
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