Discernimiento Espiritual - 10. Gerardo Aste, SJ

Desarrollo Espiritual y Etapas

The speaker discusses the three stages of spiritual development in individuals, emphasizing the progression from a basic stage to a stage of conversion and finally to a stage of following and working for the Lord.

Three Stages of Spiritual Development

• Individuals progress from being disinterested in God and indulging in sin to realizing their situation and desiring to return to God.

• The third stage involves those who actively work for the Lord, described as a stage of following or "seguimiento."

• In this advanced stage, individuals face increased spiritual challenges where negative forces intensify as they strive for improvement.

• Negative influences become stronger as one progresses towards goodness, leading to heightened temptations and challenges.

• The enemy attempts to deceive individuals by influencing decision-making processes through false consolations or distractions.

Discerning Spirits

• Desolation is used by the enemy to mislead individuals away from God's path, creating confusion and discouragement.

• The speaker highlights the challenge of distinguishing between true and false consolations during spiritual growth.

• Ignacio offers rules for discerning spirits, aiding individuals in recognizing whether consolations are genuine or deceptive.

• The enemy diminishes the significance of true consolations while presenting false consolations as divine guidance.

Desolation and Consolation

In this section, the speaker discusses the concepts of desolation and consolation, emphasizing how to differentiate between true and false consolations.

Understanding True Consolations

• Ignacio highlights that true consolations come from God, bringing genuine peace, joy, and tranquility.

• Jesus exemplifies true consolation by dispelling fear with deep joy after his resurrection.

• True consolations are from God and cannot be hindered by evil spirits; they aim to bring lasting joy.

The Enemy's Tactics

• The enemy works against true consolation by casting doubt, confusion, and distractions to diminish its impact.

• The enemy employs deception and subtle reasoning to make individuals question the authenticity of their consolations.

Discerning True Consolations

This part delves into the process of discerning between true and false consolations through self-reflection and examination.

Steps for Discernment

• Step 1: Recognize the origin of consolation by examining who or what causes it.

• Step 2: Analyze thoughts to determine if there is a genuine cause behind the consolation.

Consolation and Discernment

The speaker discusses the concept of consolation with cause and without cause, emphasizing how God's presence can bring deep emotions and peace.

Consolation with Cause

• Consolation with cause is triggered by external factors like what one reads, sees, or hears that evoke deep emotions.

• True consolation without cause comes solely from God, filling the soul with love, peace, and joy.

Divine Consolation

• Only God can provide consolation without a reason, filling individuals profoundly with His love and peace.

• Experiencing true consolation allows for decision-making guided by God's presence.

Recognition of Divine Influence

• Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah showcases a consoling moment without a clear reason but driven by faith.

• Such consolations indicate increased faith and quality in spiritual experiences.

Discerning Spiritual Movements

Ignacio warns about discerning consolations without cause to avoid potential pitfalls despite their divine origin.

Caution in Consolations

• While consolations without cause are praised by Jesus, Ignacio highlights the need for caution due to potential dangers.

• After experiencing such consolations, vigilance is crucial as they can be exploited by negative influences.

Examination of Spiritual Experiences

• Individuals receiving divine consolations must carefully distinguish moments of God's presence from subsequent thoughts influenced by other spirits.

New Section

In this section, the discussion revolves around the concept of being influenced by evil spirits to deter individuals from following their divine calling.

Understanding Influence of Evil Spirits

• Jesus highlights that thoughts post-consolation may not be divine but influenced by evil spirits.

• Caution is advised when advising others as personal biases can sway decisions.

• Post-consolation, one may feel entitled to advise based on perceived divine influence.