The Arts of Discernment

 by Wendy M. Wright

In general, it might be said that discernment is about two things: attentiveness and discrimination. We need to attend to both what goes on around us and within us. Ideally, this attentiveness goes on much of the time, a sort of low level, constant spiritual sifting of the data of our experience. But there are times when discernment becomes much more focused, when a crossroad is reached or a choice called for. At times like these the cumulative wisdom of tradition tells us to pay attention on many levels: 

• to consult scripture 
• to seek the advice of trusted advisors
• to heed the sensus fidelium (collective sense of the faithful) 
• to read widely/deeply the best ancient and modern thinking 
• to pray 
• to attend to the prick of conscience and to the yearnings and dreamings of our hearts                                                                                
• to watch 
• to wait 
• to listen

Discernment is about discriminating: sifting through and evaluating the evidence of our focused attention. It is not, however, identical to problem solving. It is not simply a question of lining up the pros and cons and then judging which choice is feasible or which will benefit us, or others, in the long run. Discernment is more like the turning of  the sunflower to the sun, or the intuitive hunch of the scientist... . Discernment is about feeling texture, assessing weight, watching the plumb line, listening for overtones, searching for shards, feeling the quickening, surrendering to love. It is being grasped in the Spirit's arms and led in the rhythms of an unknown dance. 

From "Passing Angels: The Arts of Spiritual Discernment," Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, Vol. X/6 (Nov/Dec 1995, (Nashville, TN: The Upper Room, 1995), 11-12. 

Discernment as Paradox

 by Thomas E. Clarke, S.J.                                                                

Discernment, like faith itself, is a paradoxical journey. If it calls for faithfulness and integrity in seeking the light of truth, it also involves ... the acceptance of a certain darkness, a letting go of purely rational assurances. It is profoundly different from any purely autonomous discovery of truth. When I discern, I do the best I can with the pros and cons of decision, and then surrender myself in trust to the One whom I believe loves me. 

In this respect it is helpful to distinguish between a correct decision and a good decision. Decisions are correct when they correspond to the requirements of an objective situation in its ethical and pragmatic requirements. Good decisions, on the other hand, are those which we make, correctly or not, with that awareness and freedom by which we respond obediently to God's inner call as we perceive it at the moment of choice. The light we seek in true discernment is the light to know God in knowing ourselves, in sorting out what is from our God who is Light and what is from the darkness of sin.

From "Discernment  Through the Senses," Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, Vol. X/6 (Nov/Dec 1995, (Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 1995), 19.

Day 7 There Is a Season

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

Chapter 6, There Is a Season, as I began to read this chapter I was struck by several emotions and life events. We had just experienced a turn of seasons from Spring to Summer and as the heat and humidity often associated with Summer immediately began to creep in I felt a change within myself; life began to slow down, vacations and weekend getaways were booked and a relaxation crept over me. Imagine my reaction when I read the description of each season and immediately understood Palmer’s approach. I greatly appreciate being able to reflect on my personal vocation story with the descriptions of each season, “the cycle of the seasons reminds us that the journey never ends.” (Page 95)

As I finished reading this chapter I couldn’t help but reflect on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 or the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds. Perhaps you too should take a few minutes to read or listen and reflect too.

1. What season speaks to your life now? Why?   
2. Do you take time to enjoy every season in your life? How?

Day 6 Leading from Within

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

Chapter 5, Leading from Within, opens the conversation about leadership. Each of us possesses qualities and gifts that enable us to excel in life. Almost daily we are called into “actions” that require us to lead sometimes from within and sometimes externally and in a variety of capacities…our homes, or work place, communities, government…etc.  How we chose to engage in these capacities, our actions and attitudes, are an insight into how we encircle our lives. Do we look at all aspects and move forward or do we sit back and wallow and wait for others to take action.  Palmer then reminds us that often in areas that see the most darkness, leaders arise who are most worthy of respect and credibility. Perhaps leaders are most respected when they can rise from the dark, acknowledge where they or a situation has been and note how to build upon and move forward into the light. In a world built upon community, leadership is never easy. However if we encourage ourselves to look deep into ourselves and our gifts we will note our capacity to lead or to encourage others to do so. 

1.     “A leader is someone with the power to project either shadow or light into some part of the world and onto the lives of people who dwell there.” (page 78) Can you name a person or persons who possesses the gift of leadership?    
2.  “Good leadership comes from people who have penetrated their own inner darkens and arrived at the place where we are at with one another, people who can lead the rest of us to a place of “hidden wholeness” because they have been there and know the way.” (page 81) Do you find it important for a leader to understand their personal inner darkness and lead others to do the same?

Day 5 All the Way Down

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

In Chapter 4, All the Way Down, Palmer shares very candidly his experience with depression. I was struck by his honesty in discussing such a scary and dark part of his life but I appreciate his sharing the journey. The section of the chapter that I connected with most begins on page 69. While it is often hard to see how a dark part of our lives can be rewarding, Palmer reminds us that the journey downward can bring us closer to ourselves and to God, we simply must embrace it. In understanding our call in life it is vital that we look at all aspects, the good and the bad, the favorite memories and those we wish never happened; we will never be complete if we overlook parts of our lives. Each of us has things we wish we could erase from our memory however we can’t, instead we can embrace it and ask God for strength to rise from it. 

“The underground is a dangerous but potentially life giving place to which depression takes us; a place where we come to understand that the self is not set apart or special or superior but a common mix of good and evil, darkness and light;  a place where we can finally embrace the humanity we share with others.” (Page 69)

To be honest it took a lot of praying and strength before I was able to embrace some of my life experiences, and even harder to share them with others. The underground is dangerous, it would be much easier to crawl under my bed covers then to share parts of my life. A strange thing happened though when I read this chapter for the first time several years ago….as a class requirement we had to share some of our journal entries with a friend and I quickly realized that I was not alone, she too had similar experiences and as we cried our way through our darkest days we found a way to grow, to strengthen our faith and to understand that we are never alone on this journey called life. I have learned so much over a cup of coffee and an honest conversation. Sometimes a simple journal entry does the trick but more often than not sharing with others, reflecting on my prayer life, and noting how my body reacts in some events are the best medicine. 

1. Tillich refers to God as the “ground of being” Have you ever had an experience of reaching bottom ground before understanding where you were being called?