Introduction
The Text of the Rules
Prologue: What Is Discernment of Spirits?
When a Person Moves Away from God (Rule 1)
When a Person Moves Toward God (Rule 2)
Spiritual Consolation (Rule 3)
Spiritual Desolation (Rule 4)
Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Fidelity (Rule 5)
Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Initiative (Rule 6)
Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Resistance (Rule 7)
Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Patience (Rule 8)
Why Does God Allow Spiritual Desolation? (Rule 9)
Spiritual Consolation: A Time to Prepare (Rule 10)
Spiritual Consolation and Spiritual Desolation: Finding Our Balance (Rule 11)
Standing Firm in the Beginnings (Rule 12)
Breaking the Spiritual Silence (Rule 13)
Strengthening the Weak Point (Rule 14)
Conclusion: Setting Captives Free
St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, is one of the most influential spiritual leaders of all time, yet many readers find his Rules for Discernment hard to understand. What can Ignatius teach us about the discernment of spirits that lies at the very heart of Christian life? In The Discernment of Spirits, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, a talented teacher, retreat leader, and scholar, helps us understand the Rules and how their insights are essential for our spiritual growth today. By integrating the Rules and the experience of contemporary people, Gallagher shows the precision, clarity, and insight of Ignatius's Rules, as well as the relevance of his thought for spiritual life today. When we learn to read Ignatius correctly, we discover in his remarkable words our own struggles, joys, and triumphs. This book is for all who desire greater awareness of God's action in their daily spiritual lives, and is essential reading for retreat directors, spiritual directors, priests, and counselors. -- ‡c From back cover